As you might know, the start of the financial year on 1 July means an update in Australia’s migration program. Happy Friday as they say, the new Australian government just published new pathways to residency for skilled workers, more places for working holiday makers to help the country facing staff shortage and the chance for graduates to make up for their time impacted by Covid-19 while holding a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485). Check below the changes to be up-to-date.
Temporary skill shortage visas – Your new PR pathway
Temporary skill shortage (TSS) subclass 482 visa holders who were employed in Australia between February 1, 2020 and December 14, 2021 for a minimum of a year, will now be eligible to apply for the new Australian permanent residency pathway, through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa from July 1, 2022.
This pathway is only available for two years from 1 July 2022
To be eligible visa holder must have either:
- a subclass 457 visa that was not granted under the Labour Agreement stream
- a subclass 482 (TSS) visa granted for an occupation on the Medium to Long-term Strategic Skills list
- a subclass 482 (TSS) visa or subclass 457 visa granted for an occupation on the short-term stream and you must:
- have been in Australia for at least one year between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021
- meet all other nomination and visa requirements for the TRT stream
- a Bridging visa A, B or C
The bridging visa must be the one you were granted after your subclass 457 or TSS visa expired.
The change will also apply to subclass 457 visa holders with an occupation on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List.
Learn more about those changes on the government website
Temporary Graduate Visas – Graduate Work Stream
(subclass 485) – Your additional time in Australia
From the 1 July, 2022 and before 1 January 2027, current or former Temporary Graduate visa holders who lost time in Australia as a result of COVID-19 travel restrictions have the opportunity to apply and obtain a replacement Temporary Graduate Visa.
Previously where individuals couldn’t extend their Temporary Graduate visa Subclass 485 visa, the new regulations now allow current or former primary applicants of a Temporary Graduate visa the chance to apply for this new replacement stream.
You will receive the same grant period as your previous visa.
For this you must:
- Make an application before 1 January 2027
- Have held a relevant Temporary Graduate Visa that was granted before 15 December 2021
- Have lost time on your visa because of Australia’s Covid-19 Travel restrictions
- Not have had your Temporary Graduate visa, or any visa granted after you held your temporary graduate visa, canceled, unless it was canceled because you asked for it to be.
Removal of occupation nomination and skills assessment requirements for temporary Graduate Visa – Graduate Work Stream applicants only
One of the biggest changes is to who can apply for the Post Graduate visa!
For the next 12 months, any applicant who has held a student visa and meets the study requirement can apply for the 485 post graduate visa without having to complete a skills assessment or nominate an occupation on the skilled occupation list.
The applicant must have successfully completed all the course requirements for at least 92 weeks of study. These qualifications can be degree, diploma or trade certificates and be CRICOS registered.
The applicant must also apply for the 485 post graduate visa within 6 months of completing the course and before 30 June 2023.
For this you must:
- be under 50 years of age
- hold an eligible visa
- have held a student visa in the last 6 months
- have a qualification relevant to an occupation on the skilled occupation list (Note: this is not required for applications lodged between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023)
- have applied for a skills assessment in your nominated occupation on the skilled occupation list (Note: this is not required for applications lodged between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023)
- provide evidence of adequate health insurance for all applicants when you apply
- provide evidence you have applied for an AFP check when you apply
- provide evidence of the required level of English with the application
For more information on how you can apply for your Subclass 485, or if you’d like to learn more, please visit The Department of Home Affairs here.
Working holiday maker visas (Subclasses 417 – 462) – Your dreams are a destination away!
As the world starts to return to a new normal, where people can once again travel, work, and study overseas, Australia is one of few countries that have seen a great increase in foot traffic, only four months after the borders have fully reopened.
With the newly elected Australian government having come into formation in May 2022, some changes have been made to support industries reliant on Working holiday visa holders input.
From 1 July 2022, countries available to the Working Holiday Maker program under quota (subclass 462), will see an increase of 30% cap over 2022-2023 only.
Good news for countries such as Brazil and Mongolia who will have access to Australia’s Working Holiday Maker visa program.
After France, Canada and Ireland, it is time for Italian and Danish citizens to see the increase of 5 years of the age limit of the working holiday visa changing from 30 years old to 35 years old.
Hungarian, Austrian and Slovakian passport holders will be pleased to see a cap increase of a total of 1,400 places.
Friendly reminder that from 8 May 2021, holders of the subclasses 417 and 462 WHM visas working in the tourism and hospitality sectors anywhere in Australia may now work for up to 12 months for the same employer or organisation without requesting permission until December 2022.
Not only Farm Work – Say yes to Hospo and Tourism
From 22 June 2021, all work within the tourism and hospitality industry in northern, remote or very remote Australia can also be counted as specified work towards eligibility for a second or third WHM visa. This option is available for WHM visa applications lodged from 5 March 2022.
Examples of eligible specified subclass 417 work in tourism or hospitality
- a chef in a restaurant
- a dive instructor
- a tour bus driver
Examples of ineligible specified subclass 417 work in tourism or hospitality
- cleaning work in a restaurant
- driving a school bus
- working as a sales assistant in a souvenir shop
Remote and very remote locations are detailed by postcode on the home affairs website.
Still to come… UK don’t give up
Although this has not yet come into force the UK and Australia have agreed to put in place a new arrangement which will allow UK passport holders to be able to:
- apply for a Working Holiday visa between the ages of 18 and 35 years inclusive
- be granted up to three Working Holiday visas without having to meet any specified work requirements. This does not include any ‘COVID-19 affected visa’.
Australian Visas – Price increase for 2023
Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) – $640
Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) – $640
Student visa (subclass 500) – $710
Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) – $1895
The subsequent temporary application charge (STAC) may be payable on all visa applications if you are in Australia when you lodge your application.
