UPDATE: Immigration to Australia – Visa Changes in July 2023

Posted by ONEderland Consulting on June 12th, 2023

UPDATE: Immigration to Australia – Visa Changes in July 2023 

You might be wondering about the latest Australian immigration news until May of this year. Remember that changes are always happening; this year brought some big updates for you as an immigrant considering moving to Australia. 

Most of the change happens in July 2023. To stay informed, check out the details below to know more about any change in the Australian visa update.

What will happen in July 2023?

All the Australian immigration news compiled below will start on July 1, 2023 and on the end of 2023. This could impact you as a migrant, so make sure you read them all carefully.

Australian Citizenship Direct Pathway to Kiwis

These changes start from July 1, 2023; all Kiwis living in Australia can apply for Australian citizenship without needing a permanent residency first. 

For you to be qualified, there are a few requirements for you to require.

This news shows that the change is reasonable for Kiwis residing in Australia and more closely aligns their rights with those of Australians living in New Zealand.

This is in line with the Australian government’s goal of creating a migration system that is more equitable, well-managed, and inclusive.

Increased of Income Threshold for Migrants Worker (TSMIT) 2023 

The Australian Government announced an increase in the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) from ,900 to ,000. 

This might affect you as a skilled worker migrant and gone to raise the fund for living. 

Skilled Workers Pathway to Permanent Resident 

Referring to the TSMIT increase, the government also announced that Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) short-stream visa holders would have a direct pathway to permanent residency in Australia.

Student Visa Changes 

The government also confirmed that starting from July 1, every primary and secondary student visa holder will face work restrictions with an increased work hours limit to 48 hours per fortnight.

Because of the changes, international students will now have extended work rights after completing specific degrees, allowing them to work for an additional two years–and affect the students working while continuing their studies in Australia. 

Extra 2 years validity period for Post Study Work stream of 485 Visa

The following would be the amended validity period for a graduate temporary visa:

• from two years to four years for select Bachelor’s degrees
• from three years to five years for select Master’s degrees
• from four years to six years for all Doctoral degrees.

The revised validity period will apply to those graduates who possess a graduate temporary visa on July 1, 2023, or who apply for a graduate temporary visa after that date.

Also, in the outline of the government’s migration strategy, it is mentioned that improving the job readiness and outcomes of international students will be accomplished by easing the path to graduate visas and by offering quicker pathways to permanent residency for qualified graduates.

Budget Increasing for Australian Jobs Sponsorship

Realizing the need for filled skilled workers in any specified jobs, Australia confirmed to increase the budget of visa sponsorship. 

One of the proposed changes is to increase the number of visa sponsorship jobs available to foreigners, particularly in healthcare, engineering, and IT. 

Between those updates, this might affect you, who is a 482 visa holder.

Pathways to permanent residence have been widened

The Employer Nomination Scheme SC 186’s Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream will be updated by the end of 2023.

– All holders of SC 482 visas for temporary skill shortages (TSS) will be qualified for ENS visas sponsored by their employers.

– Applicants must keep working in the field for which they were granted a TSS visa.

– Sponsored visa applicants will be eligible for ENS TRT after two years of TSS sponsorship by their employer (down from three years).

– Applicants for the TRT stream of the ENS visa must fulfil all other nomination and visa requirements.

– In the interim, the limit on Short Term Stream TSS visa applications that can be made onshore has also been eliminated.

Overall Visa Places for 2023-24 Immigration Program

The Albanese Government will maintain a 190,000 place cap for the permanent migration programme for 2023–24, with 137,100 slots (about 70%) designated for the skill stream to help meet the nation’s long-term skill needs.

The nett overseas migration is predicted to reach 400,000 places this year and 315,000 in 2023–2024; in 2024–2025, migration is expected to substantially resume its regular trends.

What does it mean to you?

The Australian immigration policies will be updated starting from 1 July , 2023, and these will surely impact you. 

To be ready for the changes, you need to know what steps to take to stay informed with the Australian immigration news, comply with the new policies, and be welcomed as a new migrant to the country.

Ensure that you’ve updated for the immigration update, and you may have some questions such as: 

1. What steps must I take as a beginner to apply for an immigration visa? 
2. As a student/skilled worker visa holder, how do I prioritize what steps to take with the new updates? 
3. Will these changes affect my ability to apply for citizenship?