Month: January 2025

Temporary Graduate visa (TGV) streams and study requirements The study requirement for a Temporary Graduate visa (TGV) has changed for Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma holders. The Temporary Graduate visa (TGV) program has three streams: The Post-Vocational Education Work (PVEW) stream Post-Higher Education Work (PHEW) stream Second Post-Higher Education Work stream. The qualification that you use to apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) will determine which of these streams is right for you. If you hold an Associate Degree, Diploma or trade qualification, you should apply for the TGV Post-Vocational Education Work (PVEW) stream. If you hold a Bachelor degree, Masters degree or Doctoral (e.g. PhD) degree, you should apply for the TGV Post-Higher Education Work (PHEW) stream. If you hold a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma, please see the information below about changes to the TGV (PHEW) stream study requirement. Graduate Certificates Graduate Certificates no longer meet the study requirement for the Temporary Graduate visa. You can still study a Graduate Certificate, but it can’t be used as an eligible qualification to apply for a TGV. An eligible qualification, such as a Bachelor degree, Masters degree or Doctoral (e.g. PhD) degree,) must have been completed in the six months before lodging your TGV application. A Graduate Certificate can be completed while holding a TGV. Graduate Diplomas You can use a Graduate Diploma as an eligible qualification for the TGV (PHEW stream) if: Your Graduate Diploma follows your Australian-awarded Bachelor, Masters or Doctorate (e.g. PhD) degree and is related to that qualification’s field of study; and You studied your Graduate Diploma program in the same, or next, academic year as the Bachelor, Masters or Doctorate (e.g. PhD) degree you completed. These requirements mean that Graduate Diploma level study will help you to build up specialised skills in your area of study and improve your career prospects. Graduate Diplomas in a different area of study You can study a Graduate Diploma that is not related to your previous Bachelor, Masters or Doctoral Degree, but this study would not qualify for a TGV. You must have completed your eligible TGV qualification within six months of lodging your application. A Graduate Diploma can be completed while holding a TGV. Moving to the new arrangements These changes came into effect on 14 December 2024. Any graduates who lodged a TGV application prior to 14 December 2024 using a Graduate Diploma as their qualifying study will be assessed according to the regulations in force at the time of application. Where needed, Graduate Certificate holders who previously applied for a TGV and are identified as negatively impacted will be contacted by the Department of Home Affairs. Other visa options In addition to a TGV, former students may be eligible for a range of visas including other temporary residence visas or the new Skills in Demand visa, which replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage visa on 7 December 2024. For more information about the new Skills in Demand visa, see: Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) For more information about current stay and work periods see: Student and Temporary Graduate visa changes: 2024 For more information about the renamed TGV Post-Vocational Education Work (PVEW) stream and Post-Higher Education Work (PHEW) stream see the Department of Home Affairs website: Changes to the Temporary Graduate visa program – from 1 July 2024 https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/tools-and-resources/news/streamlined-study-requirement-for-temporary-graduate-visas

Australia’s 2023 Migration Strategy provides clearer post-study pathways for Australia’s international students. These include opportunities to stay and work in Australia if your skills and qualifications are needed. The new SID visa allows holders to work in Australia for up to four years and may provide a pathway to permanent residency. This will enable you to better plan for your future, in Australia or elsewhere. Eligibility criteria To apply for the SID visa, requirements include: have at least 1 year relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field have a relevant skills assessment if this is required for your occupation work only for your sponsor or associated entity, unless you are exempt meet minimum standards of English language proficiency Visa duration and streams The SID visa is valid for up to four years and includes three streams: 1. Core Skills stream This stream enables employers to address labour shortages by bringing in skilled workers where employers can’t source an appropriately skilled Australian worker. Most temporary skilled workers will come through this stream. Workers must be sponsored for occupations listed on the Core Skills Occupation List. A minimum salary threshold of $73,150 applies. 2. Specialist Skills stream This stream recognises highly skilled workers who bring significant economic benefits to Australia. This stream is available for applicants in any occupation, excluding those occupations in ANZSCO Major Groups 3, 7 and 8 and where the nominated salary for the position meets the Specialist Skills Income Threshold of $135,000. 3. Labour Agreement stream This stream is for skilled workers nominated by employers who have a Labour Agreement. Labour agreements are developed between the Australian Government (represented by the Department) and employers. The Labour Agreement stream will be replaced by the Essential Skills stream at a later stage as the Government continues to develop a more regulated stream for lower paid workers with essential skills. Pathway to permanent residency SID visa holders may be eligible to apply for a range of permanent visas, including the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)  (subclass 186) visa. Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (subclass 186) visa The Core Skills Occupation List also applies to the Direct Entry stream of the permanent Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa. This visa lets skilled workers, who are nominated by their employer, live and work in Australia permanently. Application process Applications for both visas are submitted online through the Department of Home Affairs website. Ensure you have all necessary documents. If applications contain incorrect information or documents are missing, there will be delays and your visa may even be refused. https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/tools-and-resources/news/new-skilled-worker-visa-in-australia

Announcement of Pathway 1 Closure 491 Pathway 1 is now closed for new applications for this program year We are writing to advise that we have reached our allocation of places for Pathway 1 under the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) and are no longer accepting new applications. Applications that have already been submitted will be finalised If you have already submitted your application, there is no need to take further action. Extended Processing Times A high volume of applications for 491 Pathway 1 has impacted our estimated 6-week processing times and we kindly request your patience during this peak period. If your visa or certification is expiring within the next 5 days, please contact at skilled.migration@investment.nsw.gov.au. Invitations for 491 Pathway 2 Invitations for 491 Pathway 2 are expected to commence in the coming week. If you wish to be considered, please ensure that your Expression of Interest is accurate and up to date in SkillSelect. This will ensure you are eligible to accept an invitation from NSW. Thank you for your interest in NSW Skilled Migration Program. For more information on other nomination pathways, please find links below to our website. https://www.nsw.gov.au/visas-and-migration/skilled-visas

Australia’s upcoming May 2025 federal election could bring major changes for Indian migrants, with the opposition Coalition proposing strict migration and education reforms. If elected, the party has pledged to reduce permanent migration by 25% and impose stricter limits on international students at metropolitan universities, potentially disrupting the aspirations of many Indians looking to settle in Australia.   “I want no Australian to be left wondering what the Coalition stands for. So today, I will outline our key priorities to get Australia back on track,” said Peter Dutton, Coalition leader, on January 12 during a speech in the Victorian electorate of Chisholm. Dutton announced plans to cut Australia’s permanent migration intake from 185,000 to 140,000 annually for the next two years. The intake would then rise to 150,000 in year three and 160,000 in year four. “Labor has opened the migration floodgates. A record one million migrants have arrived in Labor’s first two years. That’s 70% more than in any previous two-year period. It’s put pressure on housing, infrastructure and services. With only 350,000 homes built over the same period, demand has far outstripped supply,” said Dutton. He added: “The Coalition will take action. We will impose a two-year ban on foreign investors and temporary residents purchasing existing Australian homes. We will work with major metropolitan universities to set stricter caps on foreign students to relieve stress on city rental markets. Using these levers, we will free up more than 100,000 homes over five years.” Declining student visa arrivals   Whether the opposition wins or not, the fact is that the number of international students and job seekers is already dwindling in Australia. The Department of Home Affairs reported a 25% drop in student visa arrivals in 2023/24, falling to 207,000 from 278,000 the previous year. Despite the decline, international students continue to represent the largest group of new migrants, accounting for 39.5% of Australia’s net overseas migration—the lowest proportion since 2016/17, excluding the pandemic period.   India remains a key contributor to Australia’s international student population. In 2023, 746,080 foreign students were studying in Australia, including: 159,485 from China 122,391 from India 60,258 from Nepal   However, reports have raised concerns about motivations, particularly among students from South Asia, suggesting some may be using the visa system primarily for work.   “Australia needs to manage its international student intake to balance educational quality with the needs of the economy,” said Clare O’Neil, Minister for Home Affairs, in December 2024.   Post-pandemic migration surge   Post-pandemic immigration levels have surged, with net overseas migration for 2024/25 estimated at 340,000, up from the 260,000 forecast in May 2024. Meanwhile, the Labor government faces pressure to address public concerns linking high migration to housing shortages and infrastructure stress. With over 860,000 people currently holding student or post-study work visas, making up more than 3% of the population, Australia’s lucrative education sector remains critical. The election in May 2025 is set to keep immigration policy at the forefront of political debate. https://www.business-standard.com/finance/personal-finance/australia-immigration-oppn-eyes-investor-ban-25-permanent-migration-cut-125012101023_1.html

ACS, the professional association for Australia’s technology sector, has announced ten new specialist occupations are now available under its Migration Skills Assessment program.   Australian employers and skilled migration applicants now have expanded technology sector opportunities with the updated Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and the new Skills in Demand Visa (SID) announced by the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) last month.   The new occupations increase the number of professional technology roles available to skilled migrants from 25 to 35 ANZSCO codes, with ten new high-demand occupations.   The newly added roles address emerging specialisations in cybersecurity, data science, and DevOps, including: 224114 Data Analyst 224115 Data Scientist 261315 Cyber Security Engineer 261316 DevOps Engineer 261317 Penetration Tester 262114 Cyber Governance Risk and Compliance Specialist 262115 Cyber Security Advice and Assessment Specialist 262116 Cyber Security Analyst 262117 Cyber Security Architect 262118 Cyber Security Operations Coordinator   These updates ensure Australian employers and global professionals can access broader pathways while helping Australia to address critical skill shortages and remain competitive in the global market.   Josh Griggs, ACS Chief Executive Officer, said: “the updated Core Skills Occupation List unlocks increased opportunities for employers, regional areas, and skilled professionals to join and uplift Australia’s dynamic tech workforce.   “These new occupations and the Skills in Demand visa are essential for addressing the nation’s pressing demand for specialised expertise in fields like cybersecurity and data science. By opening these doors, we are not only meeting immediate industry needs but also building a pipeline of talent for the future.”   To support applicants, ACS has integrated industry-recognised vendor certifications into some of its migration pathways, giving professionals the opportunity to demonstrate both currency and specialisation in their skills. ACS will also continue providing comprehensive guidance and webinars to assist applicants and migration agents with the Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) process.   The need for skilled migration is underscored by findings from ACS’s Digital Pulse report, which projects Australia will need 1.3 million technology workers by 2030. With demand for cybersecurity professionals alone expected to double by 2030, skilled migration plays a pivotal role in securing Australia’s technology future.   Griggs added: “We’re pleased to be supporting employers and skilled professionals in accessing these new pathways. Skilled migration is a vital pillar in ensuring Australia remains competitive on the global stage.   “With these updates, ACS reaffirms its commitment to helping skilled migrants build rewarding careers in technology while supporting the nation’s economic growth and innovation through diverse pathways.” For detailed information about the updated skilled occupation categories and ACS’s support initiatives, visit www.acs.org.au.