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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.

What’s in this issue? Skilled employment related to gold, green and orange-plus attributes – further guidance Key statistics – invitation and approval rate Overseas applicant selection – focus on health, allied health, and education sectors Information Webinar – 17 December 2024 Christmas / New Year office closure Skilled employment related to gold, green and orange-plus attributes Further guidance has been published on the Migration Tasmania website about the things we consider when determining if someone is in a skilled employment role. A candidate must be in a skilled role to be able to claim gold, green or orange-plus attributes. To claim gold, green or orange-plus attributes related to employment, the role must be skilled ANZSCO Skill Level 1, 2 or 3. This means that it closely matches the description of an occupation classified in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) as being Skill Level 1, 2 or 3. If your occupation is not listed in ANZSCO, your duties may be similar to another occupation that is listed. If you cannot find a close match to your role, ANZSCO provides a general description of each skill level. Considerations – Skills and qualifications, duties and pay. When evaluating a claim to be in ANZSCO Skill Level 1, 2 or 3 role, Migration Tasmania considers 3 main factors: the applicant’s skills and qualifications, the duties they undertake, and their pay rate. If these three factors do not align, Migration Tasmania may determine that the role is not skilled. A pay rate above the current Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (currently $73,150) can also be an indicator of skilled employment. However, this will still be considered in conjunction with the other indicators mentioned in this section. Pay or salary at or around the National Minimum Wage is not consistent with a skilled role and related employment cannot be claimed for gold, green or orange-plus attributes. Migration Tasmania may also compare pay rates to those of other roles in the same industry and the pay those roles normally receive. Example 1:   A candidate has claimed in their Registration of Interest (ROI) for the Tasmanian Skilled Employment pathway that they are in an ANZSCO Skill Level 1-3 role as a Cook at a Tasmanian restaurant. Their letter of reference has stated that they perform the normal duties of a cook.   The case officer reviews the duties and agrees that they are consistent with those of a fully qualified tradesperson-equivalent cook. However, the case officer also notes that the base pay rate of $25 per hour is the same that would be received by a kitchenhand, a role normally classified in ANZSCO as Skill Level 5. Migration Tasmania would be unlikely to have confidence that the role was either skilled or that the applicant is receiving appropriate pay and conditions.   Example 2:   A candidate has claimed in their ROI that they are a fully qualified Mechanic (with the relevant qualifications) at a Tasmanian repair shop. They have claimed they are in an ANZSCO Skill Level 1-3 role and their reference letter demonstrates they are undertaking the duties of a Mechanic.   The case officer notes that the base pay rate of $26 per hour is the same that would be received by a Driveway Attendant, a role normally classified in ANZSCO as Skill Level 5. Migration Tasmania would be unlikely to have confidence that the role was either skilled or that the applicant is receiving appropriate pay and conditions.   The Fair Work Ombudsman provides free advice regarding appropriate pay rates and conditions. What if my duties include both higher skilled and lower skilled elements? In cases where there is some overlap between lower (ANZSCO 4-5) and higher (ANSZSCO 1-3) roles there must be a substantial proportion of duties listed on your duty statement that are consistent with an ANZSCO occupation classified as Skill Level 1, 2 or 3. For the Tasmanian Skilled Employment pathway, there should be at least a 70 per cent match between the duties of your role and the duties listed for the position on ANZSCO.   Example 1: A candidate is working as a Disability Support Worker. The closest ANZSCO occupation for that role would be 4231 Aged and Disabled Carers, which is Skill Level 4. Unless the duties the candidate undertakes substantially match another role that aligns with Skill Level 1, 2 or 3, they would not be able to claim priority attributes for skilled employment. Example 2: An Assistant Accountant role would only be accepted for the Tasmanian Skilled Employment pathway if there was a 70 per cent match with the duties outlined on ANZSCO for Group 2211 Accountants. Roles that consist mainly of administrative support are not considered skilled roles.   For the Tasmanian Skilled Graduate and Tasmanian Established Resident pathways there is more flexibility; the match should be at least 40 per cent. This recognises the need for many recent graduates to obtain experience at entry level before being appointed to and paid at a fully skilled level. However, if the duties of your role align with those of a fully skilled and experienced worker, you are expected to receive pay at the appropriate level.   Example 1: A recent accounting graduate working as a junior accountant or accounts assistant may focus on tasks like data entry, reconciling bank statements, processing invoices, or assisting with payroll. These duties might align with 40–50% of the ANZSCO definition, as they are building foundational skills. Their role reflects an entry-level position, so a lower salary might be acceptable for nomination. An accountant performing duties like preparing detailed financial reports, advising on tax strategies, analysing financial risks, and managing budgets would have 70–100% alignment with the ANZSCO definition. Since their role corresponds to the expectations of a fully skilled professional, they would be unlikely to be approved for nomination unless they are paid at the level expected for a qualified accountant. Example 2: A recent graduate working as a commis chef (entry-level chef) may primarily

Australia’s plan to cap international student numbers looks set to be blocked after opposition politicians decided to vote against the proposed laws, even after they had repeatedly urged cuts to migration. The Australian parliament was expected to debate the legislation in the coming two weeks, the final sitting period for the year. The government said it would limit foreign student commencements at 270,000 for 2025 under the new laws. The plan comes as the center-left Labor government seeks solutions to a surge in immigration and an unprecedented housing crisis ahead of a federal election due by May. Sarah Henderson, education spokesperson for the center-right Liberal-National coalition, said Monday that the bill is “chaotic and confusing” and fails to address “the structural issues” the government has created. “We cannot support measures which will only serve to compound this crisis of the government’s making. Based on their record so far we have absolutely no confidence the government is capable of fixing its immigration mess,” Henderson said in a statement. The Greens Party has also rejected the proposed laws, leaving the government without the numbers in the Australian Senate to pass the legislation. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has previously said he would limit net international migration, including students, to 160,000, without specifically outlining how the numbers would be achieved. The proposed law would bring the number of new international students across higher education and vocational training back to pre-pandemic levels, the government has said. “You can’t talk tough on immigration and then vote against putting a limit on the number of people that come to this country every year,” Education Minister Jason Clare told Parliament on Monday, responding to the Opposition’s policy shift. Speaking after the announcement, Universities Australia Chief Executive Officer Luke Sheehy said the decision to block the law merely lengthened “a phony war blaming international students on the migration and housing issue.” “Both sides of politics need to get real about investing in Australia’s world-class university sector that relies so much on international student revenue,” he said.