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Exclusive Australian Immigration News, Updates & Opportunities
December 2024
This bulletin is for members only, and provides our members with month to month updates on Australian immigration policy changes and consequential opportunities. Opportunities are found via federal and state government policy shifts for the demand and supply for certain occupations.
This bulletin will keep you up to date so that you do not have to employ expensive immigration lawyers to provide you with monthly research.
December 2024 has arrived,
and overseas workers are flocking to Australia, boosting net migration numbers to a new record high!
New Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows net permanent and long-term arrivals from January to September 2024 were 391,850, the highest September year-to-date on record!
The previous record, set in 2023, was 390,580.
In This Month’s Federal News: Australia released its updated Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), offering new opportunities for skilled workers looking to migrate to the country. This list is updated twice a year and identifies occupations that are in high demand in Australia and essential for the country’s growth.
In other Federal News, we have a look at the Regional Migration Settings Discussion Paper and see how the migration system plays a key role in supporting regional Australia to prosper through the injection of culture, skills, innovation, and numerous economic benefits.
In This Month’s State News: Skilled workers residing offshore remain eligible to be considered for ALL State and Territory nominations! Please view the State Migration Section of this month’s bulletin for all State and Territory program updates and opportunities available!
In This Month’s Economic News: The Australian construction industry calls for more skilled migration to ease the ‘desperate‘ shortage of tradespeople, as 85% of builders now say it is a struggle to find suitably qualified workers and 66% say sourcing workers is the biggest issue facing the industry.
In other economic news, Australia’s economy added far more jobs than expected last month, making it less likely the Reserve Bank of Australia will be opting for an interest rate cut this side of Christmas.
Also in this month’s bulletin, we talk to a young Aussie earning $4,000 a week as the owner of a cleaning business. The young Aussie shared that he only started the job just over a year ago and encourages others to “get started“!
In This Month’s Student News: Australia’s plan to cap international student numbers for 2025 at 270,000 is likely to be blocked after the opposition parties have announced their intention to vote against the proposed legislation. This is great news for both international students and educational institutions!
Also in this month’s student news, we have a look at 3 types of visas offered by the Australian government to international students and their guardians!
All this and much more in the December issue of The Australian Immigration Bulletin! Let’s take a deeper look at what has happened so far and what is planned for the remainder of December 2024 in Australian Immigration, so that you can start planning!
All members now have FREE access to an online IELTS English Platform and course to practice, study and improve their English and IELTS score. The IELTS exam is one of the key recommended exams you will need to take in order to Apply for Skilled Migration to Australia and the better your results, the higher points you will get when submitting an expression of interest. The advanced English and IELTS platform will allow all members to practice Mock IELTS Exams, learn cutting edge tips and gain a greater understanding of how to achieve a Band 9+.
All members also have access to “ImmiConnect” which is now available in the member’s area. ImmiConnect is the Office of Immigration Australia’s Employer Sponsored program which allows overseas workers to receive job interview invitations from Australian employers, when job opportunities come available.
The program aims to bring globally mobile, highly-skilled and specialised individuals to Australia who can fill critical areas of need.
ImmiConnect is exclusive to active Australian Immigration Bulletin Members only. You must be a current Australian Immigration Bulletin Member to be eligible to receive job interview invitations.
So if you are interested in receiving these invitations, please sign up for FREE by Clicking “ImmiConnect” and adding your name and email address.
*2 WINNERS DRAWN EVERY MONTH:
Current Round: August 2024 – December 2024 (10 Winners/Prizes in total)
Next Round: January 2025 – May 2025 (10 Winners/Prizes in total)
There is always a winner, and the next one could be you!
The winners of the December 2024 Immigration Prize Giveaway were drawn at 10am AEST on 1st December 2024.
Congratulations to the December 2024 winners! You have been sent a confirmation email with details on how to claim your prize!
The next 2 lucky winners will be drawn at 10am AEST on 1st January 2025.
As of 6th July 2022, people entering Australia do NOT need to provide evidence of Covid-19 vaccination status. Additionally, people leaving Australia will NOT be asked to provide evidence of their vaccination status. Unvaccinated visa holders do NOT need a travel exemption to travel to Australia. It is however important to remember that airlines, vessel operators and other countries may have specific requirements that travellers need to comply with.
Please see the list of vaccines that are recognised by the Australian government for travel purposes here.
This Bulletin and its contents is for general information purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional advisors.
As legislation and travel requirements are constantly changing, we strongly recommend obtaining advice on your individual situation from a Registered Migration Agent.
Please click here to book a consultation with one of our Registered Australian Migration Agents, located in Australia.
Townsville – Queensland
The Results of the August 2021 census were made public on 12th July 2022, and revealed that Australia has become a majority migrant nation, as the census data shows for the first time that more than 50 per cent of residents were born overseas or have an immigrant parent. Last year’s census counted nearly 25.5 million people, including 1 million new residents.
Australia’s 2023-24 Migration Program has been carefully designed to boost the social and economic outcomes that meet Australia’s needs. In fact, the migration programme was first launched in 1945 following the aftermath of World War 2. Given this long history, it is worth understanding how it works. The Australian Immigration Bulletin exists to help explain this in more detail.
As we’ve entered the 12th month of the year, join us for a look at the latest news and developments in the world of Australian Immigration!
We spoke with Juliana, a skilled migrant who is an architect graduate from Brazil currently living and working for a private company in Australia.
Tell us about your work
I have a passion for minimalist and tiny house movements as alternative expressions of sustainable lifestyles. I have been in Australia for 4 years now and loving it. I got my first job in architecture in Australia in January this year and I have been there for 7 months now. It is a small practice with 6 professionals sharing a common space. I work very closely with the director, a senior architect, and the other 3 graduate architects, and everyone is very experienced and supportive.
We do a lot of projects for public and private schools, housing projects, and also a few clinics and residence renovations.
What was the biggest challenge and how did you deal with it?
Communication is probably the biggest challenge for me. You have that huge responsibility for what you’re doing, so you have to make sure all information you get is correct, express your ideas clearly, and speak up when necessary.
So, every time I have to speak on the phone with builders, consultants, council, and representatives, or go to meetings, I try to prepare myself and take some notes to make sure I know what to say and how to express my ideas.
I have also been trying to read more texts in English and listen to podcasts related to architecture to improve my vocabulary. Grammarly is also a great app to help with writing emails and documents.
How did you find out about it?
I was working in a café for one year and there I got the chance to meet many locals. So after a while, I started mentioning my background in casual conversations with regular customers.
I think networking is very important especially in Australia. So, I would recommend someone looking for a job in Australia to visit your industry’s institute, tell them your story and ask to receive their newsletter. They are very supportive and may inform you about some good opportunities.
Another idea is to keep an eye on the events organized by your industry as they are a great opportunity to meet people and get involved in your local industry community.
How did you apply?
One of the interviews I went was for an Engineers and Planner’s office. The interview was great but both parties understood I wasn’t a good fit because my main interest and experience was Architecture rather than Urban Planning. So, I didn’t get the job, but after a few weeks, they referred me to my boss who was looking for a graduate architect at that time.
How did you convince them you had the skills to do the job?
I think it was a good idea to print my portfolio and to take it with me to my interview to support my speech. The portfolio helped me when speaking about the projects I’ve done in the past, to show my abilities in design and architectural representation, and what I could do with the software I use. Even if you have already sent the portfolio by email, I think most people are too busy to look at them carefully enough and it pays off to bring a copy with you and leave it with them at the end of the interview.
I believe it also helped me to study the business I was applying to, understand their projects, and demonstrate proactivity and enthusiasm to learn.
What have you learned from this job that you will take to your next job?
This is still my first job here in Australia, and I am learning new things each day. But in the future when I feel it is time to move on for something new, I hope I’ll take with me a much better understanding of the local industry: the construction methods, local suppliers and materials, the Australian Standards for drafting and documentation, and also some knowledge on Contract Administration.
What did you learn about yourself doing this job?
It may sound a bit cliché, but I learned that I am capable to do absolutely anything. What we don’t know, we can learn with time and patience, we just need the motivation.
So, I feel I’ve been improving my confidence in myself every day. Because we come from another country, sometimes we tend to think we are not good enough, or that have to wait until our English is perfect, or until we study this or that software. But I believe that businesses are also interested in motivated and creative professionals with the ability to adapt and that’s where we stand out.
What tip would you give job seekers from other backgrounds eager to get their first job in Australia?
I would say that networking is a must in Australia. Go to as many events as you can, and get involved with the local community in your industry. Talk to people, listen to them and show you are interested.
Also, make sure you have a good portfolio or CV that expresses the knowledge you have, and remember to ask someone to proof read it. Show enthusiasm and motivation to learn.
It is sometimes hard when you are looking for your first job in your area because you may get a few no’s before you have a yes. But you only need your first ‘yes’, so be patient with yourself throughout that process. We already have the determination to start all over again, so know that the experience and knowledge we bring with us are valuable and unique.
Overseas workers are flocking into Australia, inflating net migration numbers to record highs!
New Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows net permanent and long-term arrivals from January to September 2024 were 391,850, the highest September year-to-date on record. The previous record set in 2023 was 390,580.
A record 30,650 international students arrived in Australia in September, compared with 24,420 the same month last year.
Australia released its updated Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), offering new opportunities for skilled workers hoping to move to the country on November 18, 2024.
The MLTSSL identifies occupations that are in high demand in Australia and essential for the country’s growth.
This list is updated twice a year to reflect changes in the job market and the skills Australia needs.
MLTSSL provides pathway for skilled migration
The MLTSSL is an important tool for professionals who want to live and work in Australia. It lists jobs that the Australian government has identified as critical for national development.
Reports inform that being on this list increases the chances of qualifying for various skilled work visas, including the Skilled Independent Visa, Skilled Nominated Visa, and others. These visas allow skilled workers to live and work in Australia, with some offering pathways to permanent residency.
Key occupations added to the MLTSSL
The November 2024 update of the MLTSSL includes several new roles that are in demand across Australia. These include:
Visas available for MLTSSL occupations
Skilled workers in occupations listed on the MLTSSL may be eligible for several types of Australian work visas:
The updated MLTSSL opens up new opportunities for skilled professionals looking to migrate to Australia.
One in three sectors face skills shortages. With the government aiming to build 1.2 million homes, fast-tracking skilled migrant visas will definitely help.
Migration may be key to reaching Australia’s housing construction target, the nation’s peak business body has declared.
The Business Council of Australia (BCA) has called for a $10 billion housing reform fund to rezone more land, speed up approvals, and fix planning bottlenecks that “hold back homes being built”.
The federal government’s Housing Accord target involves 1.2 million well-located homes being built across the country over the next five years. The BCA says that means around 60,000 homes will need to be built each year.
Build Skills Australia — a government-established group working with industry to address workforce challenges — estimates an extra 90,000 construction workers are needed to achieve the goal.
The BCA recommends the government do more to incentivise skilled workers from overseas to fill industry gaps. This includes expediting comparable trade qualifications and fast-tracking pathways to permanent residency.
BCA chief executive Bran Black supports a “robust migration system for skilled migrants. The government needs to pull in skilled labour from other countries to address gaps across the construction and building industry so more homes can be built.”
“Everything from bricklayers to carpenters, plumbers, electricians, engineers, surveyors, architects, they’re all areas in which there is a shortage of skillsets,” he said.
“We know that across the economy we see one-third of sectors facing skills shortages.”
Australia’s regions are a crucial part of Australia’s economy and our unique national identity. The regions have been shaped and invigorated by the profound history of our First Nations peoples and the millions of migrants that have called regional Australia home.
The migration system plays a key role in supporting regional Australia to prosper through the injection of culture, skills, innovation and economic benefits that migration brings.
Objectives of regional migration
The Migration Strategy committed to 5 key objectives to shape Australia’s migration system for the coming decades. Regional migration should also support these key objectives by providing flexibility in the migration system to cater to the unique needs and circumstances of regional Australia. Through this discussion paper, the Government is proposing five objectives for regional migration that support the five national objectives for migration.
These are:
Regional migration should support the unique skills needs of the regions
Australia’s regions play a crucial role in supporting Australia’s national prosperity. Eight of Australia’s top 10 exports are commodities or produce from our regions. Much of the fresh food we eat every day comes from the regions. Regional tourism helps share Australia’s natural wonders with the rest of the world and adds significantly to regional economies, with contributions of visitors to Australia’s regional communities exceeding $79.9 billion in 2022-23 and tourism accounting for at least 20 per cent of Gross Regional Product in some regions.
The regions are also facing an unprecedented time of change arising from factors including an ageing population and workforce, a decline in skilled and essential workers, concerns about the sustainability of small regional towns and communities, the rise of remote work, the transition to a net zero economy, an increased risk of natural disasters and the impact of climate change. The regions are having to prepare for and adapt to change. However, change also presents opportunities for the regions. For example, most of the new jobs and critical infrastructure required to make the transition to a net zero economy will be in regional Australia.
Regional Australia, however, will be unable to adapt to these changes if they cannot access the workers they need. Currently, many regions are finding it difficult to meet their local workforce needs, with job advertisements in regional Australia growing at three times the rate of metro Australia and doubling over the last five years.
Regional migration can support stronger connections with international partners
Regional Australia plays a crucial role in enhancing the nation’s international relationships, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. The Indo-Pacific is the fastest-growing region globally, and is the region forecast to have the greatest impact on Australia’s future prosperity and security. We are also ideally placed to continue to benefit from the region’s economic dynamism. At the same time, the Indo-Pacific is undergoing a profound transition, both economic and strategic, and previously accepted global norms are under increasing pressure.
The right regional migration settings are critical to meet this objective, ensuring that migration works to deepen our relationships and support better connections.
If you are interested in applying for a general skilled migration visa to Australia, it is important to have a good understanding of the skilled visa options and how the migration points test works, so that you can maximise your chances of being eligible to apply for a skilled visa.
A general skilled migration visa is an option available to skilled workers who are seeking to qualify for a skilled visa independently, or under a state or family sponsorship. It is an alternative to an employer sponsored visa.
One of the key criteria to qualify for a general skilled migration visa is the points test (a criterion that does not apply to employer sponsored visas). This is often the most challenging aspect for prospective skilled visa applicants to overcome when seeking an invitation to apply for the relevant skilled visa.
If you are considering applying for a general skilled migration program visa, an important concept to understand is the Expression Of Interest (EOI).
If you are considering applying for a general skilled migration visa, it is important to be aware that for certain visas in this visa class, you will first be required to lodge an EOI with the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) through SkillSelect. The EOI is not a visa application, but rather, it is the process by which you can express your interest in applying for the relevant skilled visa (It’s important to note, that there is NO fee to submit an EOI).
This requirement applies to the following skilled visa subclasses:
Let’s take a brief look at each of these visas below:
The ‘subclass 189’ is a federal sponsored visa that grants automatic permanent residence in Australia. It is subject to nil visa conditions or obligations. For this reason, it is often considered to be the most flexible of the skilled visa options available.
A subclass 189 points-based visa allows you to live and work in any state or territory permanently.
The ‘subclass 190’ is a state/ territory sponsored permanent residence visa. It is another points-based visa for which invitations are issued throughout each month by individual states and territories. One of the benefits of applying for state nomination is that you will be granted an additional 5 points.
An important aspect to consider, which does not apply to the subclass 189 visa is that there is an added step in the application process. In this case, you must also apply for nomination approval to a state or territory government. Only upon receipt of an invitation from the relevant state or territory to which you apply can you then apply to the Department for the visa itself.
Your obligations as a subclass 190 visa holder are that you must commit to your nominating jurisdiction’s obligations and commit to residing in your nominating State or Territory for two years from visa grant.
The ‘subclass 491’ is also a points-based state/ territory (or family) sponsored visa. It is a regional visa with a term of five years. The Department issues invitations for family sponsored EOI applications only (in invitation rounds). Invitations for state sponsorship are issued by individual states and territories throughout each month. This will grant you an additional 15 points for the nomination.
Being a provisional visa, this means it provides a pathway to permanent residence in Australia with the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa, subject to meeting specified requirements.
Be mindful that as a subclass 491 visa holder, you must abide by visa condition 8579, which requires you to live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia. For migration purposes, most locations of Australia outside of major cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, etc.) are classed as regional areas.
If your EOI is successful, you will receive an invitation to apply for the visa, as specified in the invitation letter. This then enables you to proceed with lodgement of your visa application (provided you meet all other visa lodgement and visa grant requirements).
Please note, the below State and Territory program updates is a general overview only. It does not take into account any of your personal circumstances. You must check the State/Territory information carefully to ensure you can meet all the requirements for nomination.
Australia is currently facing a shortage of skilled migrants to fill workforce demands. In response, states and territories have been easing the conditions of their visa programs to help attract skilled workers from overseas.
Below is the monthly update for some of the State and Territory opportunities available.
Program Status Update
UPDATE: Northern Territory General Skilled Migration (GSM) nomination applications for 2024-25
Please note Migration NT is continuing to receive and assess onshore applications for nomination. Offshore applications will be reopened on Wednesday 14 August 2024 but only for the NT Family Stream and Job Offer Stream. Due to the significant volume of applications received to date, the Priority Occupations Stream will remain suspended for the time being. Existing offshore applications made under the Priority Occupations Stream will continue to be assessed. However, please note that there are likely to be significant delays in assessing these applications.
Once the above mentioned temporary suspension is lifted, you may be able to proceed with the NT’s usual skilled migration program. Program details below:
People residing offshore are eligible to be considered for Northern Territory (NT) nomination. Invitations to apply for Northern Territory nomination will be via the ranking system.
The ‘Northern Territory Offshore Migration Occupation List’ identifies the occupations in current demand in the Northern Territory. This List is important if you want to apply for Northern Territory nomination for either a:
The ‘Northern Territory Offshore Migration Occupation List’ is only applicable for those applying for NT nomination from outside Australia, under the Priority Occupation stream.
Please note: The Northern Territory government has advised that offshore applicants will generally only be offered a Northern Territory nomination for a subclass 491 visa. Subclass 190 nominations will only be offered in exceptional circumstances, such as cases where the applicant has strong connections to the NT.
The NT advises eligible applicants to apply as soon as they meet the eligibility criteria. To receive a nomination from the NT Government, you must:
Before submitting an EOI for The Northern Territory, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements.
For a further explanation, see the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Northern Territory Government website.
Program Status Update
To manage Queensland’s COVID recovery response, applicants currently residing offshore are now able to apply.
Depending on your occupation and situation, there are two state nomination options available for skilled migrants through Queensland.
For Queensland state nomination, prospective applicants must meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements, state-specific occupation requirements and have skills in an occupation that is available on the Queensland Skilled Occupation List.
You may undertake employment once onshore in Queensland through:
Offshore applicants meeting the minimum published requirements are eligible to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) on SkillSelect and then a Registration of Interest (ROI) on the Migration Queensland portal.
Migration Queensland has opened the 2024-25 State Nominated Migration Program. For more information, please see here.
NOTE: To be eligible for Queensland’s 2024-25 program, your EOI must be submitted on or after 13 September 2024.
Migration Queensland criteria requires you to:
The 2024-25 Skilled Migration Program is open to both onshore and offshore applicants and provides pathways for skilled workers, graduates, and small business owners.
Before submitting a Registration of Interest (ROI) for Queensland, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements.
Note: In the EOI, select ‘Queensland’ as the only state of interest in the EOI, if you wish to be considered for an invitation to apply for Queensland nomination.
For a further explanation, see the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Queensland Government website.
Program Status Update
Open to offshore applicants, the program provides skilled migrants with a pathway to permanent residency in Victoria. The skills that successful applicants bring to Victoria benefits employers and the broader Victorian economy.
The program provides two visa pathways:
As with previous years, applicants will first need to submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) and then be selected on competitive merit to apply for visa nomination.
To be invited to apply for Victorian skilled visa nomination, you must firstly make or update an Expression of Interest (EOI) via the Australian Government’s SkillSelect and then submit a Registration of Interest (ROI).
NOTE: If you previously submitted a ROI and wish to be considered for invitation in the 2024-25 program, you must submit a new ROI.
Both onshore and offshore applicants are eligible to submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) for both the subclass 190 and subclass 491 visas.
Your ROI will remain in the system for selection until it is withdrawn, selected or the program year ends.
Before submitting an ROI for Victoria, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements.
For a further explanation, see the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Victoria Government website.
Program Status Update
People residing offshore are eligible to be considered for Western Australia (WA) State nomination. Invitations to apply for WA State nomination will be via the ranking system.
The Western Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List identifies the occupations in current demand in Western Australia. This List is important if you want to apply for Western Australia nomination for either a:
Please note that to be eligible for an invitation in the WA State Nominated Migration Program, you must meet both:
Before starting your application, you will need to check whether your occupation is available on either the WA Skilled migration occupation list (WASMOL) Schedule 1 or 2, or the Graduate occupation list. You can search for your occupation here. (The occupation list search bar is located under the heading ‘Eligible Occupations’.)
Features of the WA 2024-25 State Nominated Migration Program:
Before submitting an EOI for Western Australia, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements.
For a further explanation, see the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Western Australia Government website.
Program Status Update
The ACT Critical Skills List identifies the occupations in current demand in the ACT. This List is important if you want to apply for ACT nomination for either a:
The ACT Government will update this list every four months to make sure that the ACT Skilled Migration Program adapts and responds to the evolving critical skills needs of the ACT economy.
The Canberra Matrix is weighted to ensure that applicants who will make a positive economic contribution to the Territory and/or have demonstrated a genuine commitment to the ACT are more likely to be ranked and invited to apply for ACT nomination.
*ACT nomination does not guarantee a migration outcome. You must still meet the Department of Home Affairs criteria.
Every month, a certain number of nomination invitations are available (prorated on the annual allocation) to those working in the highest ranked Matrix in each occupation.
You can view the ACT’s most in-demand skills for skilled migration by consulting the ACT Critical Skills List.
Before submitting an EOI for The Australian Capital Territory, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements.
Once you’ve submitted a valid Department of Home Affairs Skill Select EOI, follow the ACT Government Process to apply for ACT nomination.
For a further explanation, see the Resources page on the ACT Government website.
Program Status Update
To manage South Australia’s COVID recovery response, applicants currently residing offshore are able to apply.
Depending on your occupation and situation, there are two state nomination options available for skilled migrants through South Australia.
For South Australian state nomination, prospective applicants must meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements, state-specific occupation requirements and have skills in an occupation that is available on the South Australian Skilled Occupation List. Offshore applicants meeting the minimum published requirements can now lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI).
There is an enormous range of occupations on South Australia’s Skilled Migration Occupation List in a range of industries – search for your occupation here.
South Australia will select offshore applicants to apply for state nomination from those who have submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. Offshore applicants will not need to lodge a Registration of Interest (ROI) for this year’s program. South Australia will be nominating offshore applicants from over 250 occupations on South Australia’s Skilled Migration Occupation List.
If you are currently residing offshore and seeking to move to South Australia, the first step is to create an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect ensuring you select South Australia as your first preferred State or Territory.
The South Australian Government can then review your EOI for consideration under the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190) or Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491).
For most occupations, applicants must have a minimum of three years of skilled employment in their nominated or related occupation within the last 5 years to secure an invitation to apply for SA nomination.
South Australia will be assessing candidates on merit by the following factors:
For occupations in the construction trades (as listed here) applicants must have a minimum of one year of skilled employment in their nominated or related occupation within the last 3 years.
Applicants in the construction trades will be assessed on merit by the following factors:
Before submitting an EOI for South Australia, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements.
For a further explanation, see the Frequently Asked Questions page on the South Australia Government website.
Program Status Update
Working in Tasmania
The two state nomination options available for skilled migrants through Tasmania are:
The Tasmanian State Nomination Skilled Migration Program supports Tasmanian businesses and increases the state’s working age population. It does this by attracting and retaining migrants with skills genuinely in need by employers, or with the capacity to settle in Tasmania through skilled employment in the long-term, and business activities that will increase employment opportunities.
Tasmania’s skilled migration program is for people wanting to move to the state who have skills that Tasmania need. Skilled migrants are attracted to Tasmania because of the state’s enviable lifestyle, career opportunities, affordable housing, reputable schools and a globally recognised university.
The Migration Tasmania Application Gateway is now available for registrations of interest (ROI) and applications for skilled visa nomination from Tasmania.
Anyone seeking Tasmanian nomination for a Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa or Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa must first register in the Migration Tasmania Application Gateway .
Before submitting an ROI for Tasmania, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements for either;
For a further explanation, see the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Tasmania Government website.
Program Status Update
The New South Wales government has invited applications from offshore migrants under the following nomination streams:
The NSW State Government announced that offshore applicants skilled in certain ANZSCO unit groups are eligible for NSW nomination.
*Please note: Invitation rounds occur frequently throughout the financial year with no set date.
NSW invites and nominates SkillSelect EOIs at the ANZSCO unit group level. To be eligible for NSW nomination (for either Subclass 190 or Subclass 491), your occupation must fall within an ANZSCO unit group identified on the NSW Skills List which reflects skills in high demand across the state, and be eligible for the visa.
Before submitting an EOI for New South Wales, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements for either;
For a further explanation of how the skills list works, see the Common questions about skilled visas page on the NSW Government website.
Leading construction bodies are urging the government to change its approach to skilled migration and bring in more migrants to ease the shortage of trades workers.
Industry bodies say a chronic shortage of workers across 12 different trades is impacting housing prices and affecting the flow of new homes into the market.
Master Builders, the nation’s peak building and construction industry association, anticipates at least half a million workers must enter the construction industry by 2029 just to keep up with current construction demands.
That number does not account for the government target of building 1.2m new homes for the national housing accord, the transition to net zero or any other goals.
In March, BuildSkills Australia said 90,000 new tradies were needed between then and the end of 2024. But according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics the industry is falling well short, hiring just over half that number.
The huge shortage in workers is the largest contributor to growing construction costs, according to Master Builders.
In an April survey of Master Builders members , 85% said it was a struggle to find suitably qualified workers and 66% said sourcing workers was the biggest issue facing the industry.
Denita Wawn, the CEO of Master Builders Australia, said the industry was “extraordinarily desperate” for more workers, and that migrants were the answer in the immediate term.
“Labour shortages are currently the biggest handbrake on new home building and infrastructure projects. If we’re to have any hope of building 1.2m homes we need to get more skilled tradies into the country and quickly,” she said.
“Skilled migration is a vital piece of the workforce puzzle in the building and construction industry. In the short term, we cannot address labour shortages through domestic apprenticeships alone.”
She said construction costs had blown out by 40% since the pandemic, and attributed a large portion of that increase to labour shortages.
Matt King, a senior economist at HIA, said the lack of workers was a major problem.
“While the severity of shortages varies across Australian markets, all capital city and regional areas are experiencing a consequential shortfall in skilled trades, which is acting as a significant constraint on new home building,” he said.
“Trades prices are running at an annual growth rate of 3.4%, which is much higher than the 2.0% average over the decade prior to the pandemic.”
He pointed to the “stiff competition” for workers, including “buoyant” non-residential construction activity and the pipeline of government-funded engineering and construction projects.
The index showed bricklaying, tiling, plastering and carpentry were suffering the most acute shortages of skilled tradespeople.
HIA and Master Builders are calling for a streamlining of pathways to get more Australians into the industry, but both groups see immigration as an essential fix.
Unemployment rate in September was 4.1% – making it unlikely the Reserve Bank will cut interest rates this year
Australia’s economy added far more jobs than expected last month, making it less likely the Reserve Bank of Australia will be opting for an interest rate cut this side of Christmas.
The gains lifted the number of extra jobs since the Albanese government took office to more than 1 million, the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, said.
The unemployment rate in September was 4.1%, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported on Thursday. Economists had predicted the rate would remain at the 4.2% rate initially reported for August. The ABS has now revised August’s rate down to 4.1%
The economy added 64,100 jobs last month. Economists had predicted a net gain of 25,000 jobs, or about half the 47,500 created in August, according to the ABS. Of the new jobs created in September, 51,600 were full-time roles.
Unemployment rate
The participation rate, one measure of the share of working-age people in the labour market, came in at a record 67.2%. Hours worked also increased to 1.97bn.
The strength of the labour market has been one reason why most households have so far been able to weather the sharpest burst of inflation and interest rate hikes in three decades.
Still, shrinking job ads and vacancies point to an emerging weakness in employment. Both Treasury and the RBA are forecasting the jobless rate will rise to about 4.4-4.5% by the middle of 2025, a figure still lower than most years since the mid-1970s.
Prior to Thursday’s release, the Albanese government had said almost 978,000 jobs had been added since it came to office in May 2022 and today’s addition tipped that number over the 1 million mark. The next closest tally, in absolute terms, was the final term of the Howard government between 2004 and 2007.
“This is the first and only time any government of any political persuasion has overseen the creation of a million new jobs in a single parliamentary term,” Chalmers said. “We welcome the fact that the majority of these million new jobs are full time and around half are for women.”
Whether the government can maintain those bragging rights will depend on the timing of the federal election and whether the RBA has started cutting its cash rate by then.
Ahead of the latest data, investors were betting on a 40% chance of a rate reduction by December and a 70% chance by February.
The Australian dollar moved about a third of a US cent higher to just under 67 US cents and stocks pared their gains for the day after the jobs figures landed. Those moves implied investors had reduced their estimates of how soon the RBA would be cutting the cash rate.
“Ultimately, this means less pressure on the RBA to bring forward its rate cut timeline,” said Russel Chesler, the head of investments and capital markets at VanEck. “The hot jobs market is preventing inflation from falling much further, as it is keeping services inflation persistently high.
“The market is pricing in cuts to start by February 2025, but we believe rate cuts will start much later in 2025.”
Bjorn Jarvis, the head of labour statistics at the ABS, said employment had risen 3.1% in the past year, outpacing the 2.5% population growth pace. The employment-to-population ratio had lifted by 0.4 percentage points over that time to a record 64.4%.
“While the number of unemployed people fell slightly to 616,000 in September, overall the number of unemployed has risen by around 90,000 people since September 2023,” he said.
“Despite this rise over the last year, there are still around 93,000 fewer unemployed people than there were just before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, when the unemployment rate was at 5.2%.”
A Sydney man has shared how he is earning thousands of dollars a week as the owner of a cleaning business. The young Aussie shared he only started the job just over a year ago and encouraged others to “get started”.
The 21-year-old was stopped at the beach and revealed he was earning roughly between $2,000 to $4,000 a week “washing the outside of luxury properties”. He said he was inspired by American content creator Josh Lester, who has made more than $1.5 million knocking on people’s doors and asking and asking to clean their windows.
“I thought that was really cool so I tried it out and it actually worked. Got a couple of clients and then just went from there,” he said.
He shared it usually took just a day to clean a property and he worked with two other blokes. He said he hoped to franchise the business and make it similar to Jim’s Mowing in the future.
While the young man admitted he didn’t know all the answers, he encouraged other young people wanting to start a business to just do it.
“I’m not in a position to give any advice. I don’t know any of the answers but for me starting a business, the biggest thing I would say is just go out there and get started really. The hardest thing is just starting,” he said.
“Forget about overthinking and just take one thing at a time, just start. Think about if Zuckerberg had all the issues placed on his desk at day one, he would never start.”
Aussies encouraged to ‘give it a crack’
Owning your own cleaning business can be a lucrative endeavour, with another Brisbane man sharing he was earning about $3,000 a week as the owner of a window cleaning business.
“It is very different depending on the weather. So maybe some weeks I’ll make a few thousand and other weeks a lot more than that. It really depends,” he said.
The young man said he had been running the business for a few years now and had managed to grow it through social media, advertising, and marketing his brand.
“It started off me just door-knocking with a few squeegees and brushes from Woolworths but it’s now big, we’re employing people,” he said.
He encouraged people to “give it a crack” if they wanted to start their own business.
“Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. At the start, I was told, ‘You can’t do this, and it’s going to be hard’,” he said.
“Everyone was laughing at the fact I was cleaning windows and cleaning but there’s so much money out there to be made.”
The days of waiting in long queues to get into the US are nearing an end, with Australia set to be added to the US Global Entry Program early next year.
The move means pre-approved, low-risk travellers from Australia will be able to use automated kiosks, speeding up processing time upon arrival in the US.
In the first instance, 1000 Australians will be able to apply for approval from January on the condition that they have visited the US five times in the past 12 months.
That requirement was expected to be lifted by the end of 2025 when all Australians would be able to seek pre-approval.
Despite the strength of the US dollar against the Aussie, the US continues to be the third most popular international destination for Australians behind Indonesia and New Zealand.
Flight Centre global corporate chief operating officer Melissa Elf said the step was great news for travellers, particularly for those travelling for work.
“The airbridge between Australia and the United States is critical for business travel, imports, and exports – with the countries conducting some $US77bn (118bn) worth of two-way trade, and the investment relationship valued at $US1.6 trillion ($2.46 trillion), making the United States Australia’s largest economic partner,” Ms Elf said.
“Over 12,000 Australian companies export to the US and our Flight Centre Corporate data shows us travel for the education sector has grown 93 per cent year on year for the January to June half – taking out the top spot for industry travelled.”
Los Angeles was the number one destination for business travellers, she said, but New York had “stormed up the list into second place followed by Las Vegas, San Francisco and Boston”.
“Australian business travellers have been buoyed by the number of new, direct routes that have now opened up between our two countries, but we are still behind the curve when it comes to capacity versus 2019 – more choice and competition going forward will see travel grow even more,” Ms Elf said.
Delta and American Airlines are adding routes from Brisbane later this year, including to Dallas Fort Worth from October 27, then to Los Angeles from December 4.
United Airlines flies non stop between Australia and the US, as does Qantas.
Executive Traveller editor in chief David Flynn said the regulatory change would make travel to the US more attractive.
“This has been long-promised by the government, resulting in a frustrating wait for frequent flyers, almost as frustrating as the long time they spend in line for immigration and security at US checkpoints,” Mr Flynn said.
“It’s a massive time saver, not just for entering the US from Australia but also using TSA (Transportation Security Administration) pre-check to access fast-track security lanes at domestic airports.”
A Western Australia destination has taken out the No. 1 spot as the State laid claim to four of the top 10 most beautiful places to visit in the nation.
Residents in the Great Southern would not be too surprised to find that Albany topped the charts across the country in a list compiled by data experts who analysed Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok to compile the line-up.
Loved by social media users for its natural beauty and relaxed lifestyle, it proved a gem across Instagram and Pinterest, attracting 1.3 million photos combined.
Its natural rugged coastline and rich maritime history also garnered 67,000 TikTok hashtags, with the dramatic cliffs of Torndirrup National Park and its breathtaking views proving particularly popular.
It was followed by the serene landscapes of Richmond in Tasmania with nearly five million hashtags on Instagram.
The historic village also boasted the highest number of Pinterest pins, with 1088 to testify to the town’s picturesque landscapes.
The bohemian vibes of Byron Bay in NSW came in at third with 3.3 million hashtags on Instagram, with the tropical Queensland town of Port Douglas landing at four before another WA destination pushed itself into five — the incredibly popular South West town of Margaret River.
Located in the heart of WA’s premier wine region, Margaret River’s charming beaches boast some of the world’s best surf, which helped it make waves on Instagram with 874,000 hashtags and more than 10,000 TikTok videos.
Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast was sixth, with the Kimberley town of Broome in seventh.
The beach resort has long been a tourist mecca, with the 22km-long stretch of Cable Beach offering a dramatic backdrop for beautiful sunsets.
At night and during the right months, usually between March and October, the Staircase to the Moon (when the moonlight glistens off the Indian Ocean) is a photographer’s dream.
Daylesford in Victoria took eighth spot from another WA town, Exmouth, in ninth.
The North West Cape town is a gateway to nearby Ningaloo Marine Park with its coral reefs, colourful fish and migratory whale sharks.
Nearly surrounding the town is the Cape Range National Park with its abundance of kangaroos, sheer cliffs and red, rocky gorges.
Rounding out the top 10 was the South Australian town of Moonta.
Settled about 160 years ago, it is one of three towns known as the Copper Coast through their shared copper mining history.
The top 10 list
Australia’s plan to cap international student numbers at 270,000 for 2025 is facing significant opposition, with both the Liberal-National Coalition and the Greens rejecting the bill.
Australia’s plan to cap international student numbers for 2025 at 270,000 is likely to be blocked after the opposition parties have announced their intention to vote against the proposed legislation.
Opposition Rejects Proposed International Student Cap
The Australian government’s plan to limit international student commencements to 270,000 in 2025 has encountered fierce resistance. Opposition leaders have expressed strong concerns, especially about the government’s handling of international student visas.
Sarah Henderson, Education Spokesperson for the Liberal-National Coalition, criticized the bill as “chaotic and confusing,” saying it fails to address the underlying issues that have contributed to Australia’s current immigration challenges. “We cannot support measures that will only exacerbate the crisis of the government’s making,” Henderson stated, adding that the opposition has no confidence in the government’s ability to manage immigration effectively.
The Greens Party has also rejected the bill, further diminishing the government’s chances of securing the necessary votes in the Australian Senate.
The Government’s Position on Migration and Education
The government has framed the international student cap as part of a broader strategy to restore balance to Australia’s immigration system, which experienced significant disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Education Minister Jason Clare defended the bill, asserting that it would return the number of new international students to pre-pandemic levels.
Universities Australia Reacts to Rejection of the Bill
“The Australian university system relies heavily on international students. Both sides of politics need to get real about the importance of this sector and the role international students play in our economy,” Sheehy emphasized.
What’s Next for Australia’s International Student Cap?
With the opposition and Greens rejecting the bill, the government faces a challenging path ahead. The proposed cap, which aims to bring international student numbers back to pre-pandemic levels, may not pass in its current form.
Planning to study in Australia? Here are three types of visas that students and guardians need to know about.
It was not many moons back when Australia emerged as one of the world’s top study-abroad destinations. This has been mainly because the country boasts of some of the highly ranked institutions that impart education in a range of courses ranging from history, engineering, MBA, and more.
Naturally, international students want to make it big in life and hop to Australia every year to pursue their dream courses.
So, if you are a student who is considering moving to Australia soon for your academic pursuits, here is what you will need to know about the types of visas provided by the Australian government to international students as well as their guardians.
In this article, we will look at what these three types of visas are:
1. Student visa (subclass 500)
The student visa (subclass 500) enables students to stay in Australia for up to 5 years and in line with their enrolment. The following benefits are offered by the visa:
Cost of the visa:
The cost of the visa begins from AUD 1,600.00.
What should students do to apply:
Applicants must ensure the points mentioned below to apply for this visa:
For more details, interested students can visit this direct link.
2. Student Guardian visa (Subclass 590)
This visa is for those who wish to stay with and take care of their wards who are studying in Australia on a student visa, due to exceptional cases. It is a temporary visa the length of which will be determined by the student visa holder’s stay and age.
Cost:
The cost of this visa ranges from AUD1,600.00.
Things to keep in mind while applying for a student guardian visa:
More details on this direct link.
3. Training Visa (Subclass 407)
The training visa is a temporary visa that grants applicants a visa allowing them to stay in Australia for up to 2 years. It lets applicants visit Australia to complete workplace-based training or a professional development training program.
Cost:
The cost of the visa starts from AUD415.00 for the main applicant.
Things to keep in mind while applying for a Training Visa:
Click on this direct link to know more.
‘Knight’s Choice’ won the biggest horse race on the Australian calendar, the ‘Melbourne Cup’! Australians across the country were involved in sweeps and cheering on their favourite horse to win! Melbourne, Victoria. November 2024
The world renowned Adelaide Street Circuit again played host for the Adelaide 500 Supercars event which was an action packed weekend including driver autograph sessions, exotic vehicle displays, sideshows and family entertainment with some of the world’s biggest acts taking to the stage! Adelaide, South Australia. November 2024
Australia scored a try in the fourth minute of added time to beat England 42-37 in a classic Test match! London, England. November 2024
It was a jam-packed five days of festival fun for everyone at the ‘NOOSA TRIATHLON’! Noosa Heads, Queensland. November 2024
As the Southern Hemisphere’s largest public parade, The National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant was a magical community event, full of fantasy, floats, colourful characters, bands and dancers as the pageant marked the official welcoming of Father Christmas to Australia! Adelaide, South Australia. November 2024
Another scrumptious weekend of the East Coast’s finest feeds and decadent bevs – plus surf, sounds and frivolity at the Bicheno Food & Wine Festival! Bicheno, Tasmania. November 2024
The season for enjoying work Christmas boat parties have begun! Sydney Harbour, NSW. November 2024
Sunset Cinema brings the summer of outdoor cinema back to Bondi as movie goers bask in the late afternoon sun, feeling the gentle ocean breeze and settle down on a squishy bean bag for a movie under the stars! Bondi, Sydney, NSW. November 2024
Lunch time at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary! Brisbane, Queensland. November 2024
A little pygmy possum was found escaping a bushfire affected area. Kangaroo Island. November 2024
Cooling off at Jim Jim Falls, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory. November 2024
Sounds of Silence. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory. November 2024
This Bulletin and its contents is for general information purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional advisors.
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