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EXCLUSIVE MEMBERS ONLY ACCESSTo access this month’s edition & Member’s only resources, enter your registered email address.
Exclusive Australian Immigration News, Updates & Opportunities
February 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.
February 2024 has landed and Australia continues to be on track for another solid year of strong Migration!
With the biggest labour shortage since World War II and with the government accelerating visa processing, 2024 will prove to be a unique year for Australian immigration!
In this months bulletin, the new Migration Strategy appears to be on the right path to address the economy’s skill shortages & lift confidence in the migration program, with the Government now putting a new focus on quality, timeliness and economic competitiveness!
Also in this months bulletin we take a closer look at ‘northern Australia’, as nowhere in Australia are population and skills shortfalls more apparent than in the north which is heavily dependent on overseas migration to sustain both, and to boost the region’s contribution to national security.
In this month’s ‘Federal News‘, the Australian Government is embarking on a strategic, evidence-based approach to migration planning, aiming to align skills with demand and foster collaboration with states and territories. This includes a shift towards longer-term migration planning and facilitating better management of intake!
Additionally in this months Federal News, the government is currently undertaking a comprehensive simplification agenda to improve the migration system’s efficiency. This initiative includes reducing visa classes, streamlining settings, and enhancing overall user experience for both migrants and employers!
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 and opportunities available!
In this month’s ‘Economic News’, the Australian employment rate hits a new record high as migration surges! New data from Roy Morgan shows that over 14.1 million people were employed in December 2023!
In other economic news, with high interest rates Australians should brace for a slightly weaker economy this year, but it is now clear that it’s strong migration that will save Australia from falling into a recession in 2024!
In this month’s ‘Student News’, we discuss several changes that the Australian government has made to its immigration student program including 8 ‘must-know’ rules for international students!
Also, in this month’s student news, we uncover what could be the top telltale signs that you’re ready to study abroad in Australia!
All this and much more in the February 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 February 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: October 2023 – February 2024 (10 Winners/Prizes in total)
Next Round: March 2024 – July 2024 (10 Winners/Prizes in total)
There is always a winner, and the next one could be you!
The winners of the February 2024 Immigration Prize Giveaway were drawn at 10am AEST on 1st February 2024.
Congratulations to the February 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 March 2024.
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 2nd month of the year, join us for a look at the latest news and developments in the world of Australian Immigration!
We asked those who have established themselves with skilled jobs to share their experience and tips for a career in Australia.
We spoke with Khanh, a skilled migrant working as an engineer in a consultant engineering company.
How long have you worked in Australia for?
I have been working for about three years.
How did you get the job?
Well, I happen to know someone, and he knew an engineer in that company. So, he said, maybe just come in and have a talk to them to see if they have any available positions. So I came in with my resume. And yeah, I just introduced myself and stated that I just graduated from University and my major. And then, yeah, I got an interview with one of the engineers in the company, and then the principal engineer, also the owner of the company, and he asked me a few simple questions such as what I can do. So, they then put me on a trial. I think they liked me, and after a few months, they employed me as a full-time employee.
You’ve said that they liked you. Are you aware of what you did differently in order to get that kind of approval?
I think I just tried to work hard. And I would try many different jobs. It didn’t matter what type of job they gave me. I just tried my best. I think trying and working hard is a key attribute that employers like.
How do you think migrants who have just graduated university can get work experience in the field of engineering?
From my own experience, the best way is to just go into a company, and try to talk to someone from the engineering team. They may have something available for you that you were not expecting. Even if it’s a casual role. It’s just important to get some work experience. That would be a good start.
What other advice can you give to migrant job seekers in the field of engineering in terms of mindset and practical approach?
Try first to have some kind of practical experience to improve communication skills and better understand the Australian working culture. Have an open mind and don’t just apply for the exact role that you are looking for. Experience is definitely important and can help on multiple levels.
On December 11, 2023, the Australian government announced its new Migration Strategy that, according to the white paper, is the Government’s vision to get migration working for the nation, helping deliver a prosperous and secure Australia. The Strategy will end COVID concessions, strengthen integrity and lift the standards in international education, end settings that drive long-term temporary stays, tackle exploitation of the visa system and target skilled migration to meet genuine shortages.
The main objectives of the Strategy are:
The Australian government announced 8 key actions in the Government’s Migration Strategy roadmap that were developed through extensive consultation with business, unions, international education, civil society and many Australians. This draws on the key findings of the Migration Review, and the 483 public submissions it received.
These actions are supported by existing commitments, over 25 new commitments and areas for future reform.
The 8 key actions are:
Nowhere in Australia are population and skills shortfalls more apparent than in the north which is heavily dependent on overseas migration to sustain both, and to boost the region’s contribution to national security.
It is good that the federal government’s new migration strategy recognises and responds to markedly different population trends and skills deficits in regional Australia compared to major cities. The strategy specifies actions tailored to the needs of regional Australia, including longer-term population planning with state and territory governments, increased skilled migration and faster visa processing for regional migrants.
It remains to be seen, however, whether the migration strategy will help ameliorate the chronic workforce and skills shortages in northern Australia and persistent population outflows to other parts of the nation.
People of northern Australia remain highly dependent on strong overseas migration to deliver all manner of services, provide skilled workforces to sustain economic activity, and support populations of cities and towns. A visit to any health care facility underscores the dependence of northern Australian health systems on skilled migrants.
The north, with more than half Australia’s land area but just 5% of its population and with a critical role to play in national security, should have the south of Australia keenly interested in growing its population, economy and capabilities.
Analysis of 2022 ABS population growth and movement data for local government areas of northern Australia shows trends across the region that underline the vital role of overseas migration. Queensland hosts 74% of the 1.3 million northern population, with the Northern Territory just 19% and northern Western Australia a mere 7% at 95,000 people, in an area larger than NSW.
While northern population growth at 1.2% a year is about the same as in the rest of regional Australia, it’s the makeup of that growth that’s startling. In the 12 months to mid-2022, only 60 more people moved to northern Australia from elsewhere in the nation than moved away. The NT and northern WA lost 2,560 and 566 ‘emigrants’ respectively. Inbound overseas migration of 6,177 people across northern Australia was vital to sustaining its population and workforce. Natural increase (births minus deaths) was 9278 in the year.
If not for overseas migration, the population growth outcome across northern Australia would have been an anaemic 0.7%, and negative in the NT.
This is not just an issue for small towns in the bush. Large regional cities like Rockhampton, Townsville and Darwin rely on overseas migration to keep them functioning as regional hubs and able to service their own populations adequately. Overseas migration to these cities contributes more to growth and maintenance of skill bases than domestic migration. In greater Darwin, overseas migration was the largest contributor to its 0.7% population growth in 2021–22, not natural increase.
Overseas migration to northern Australia is also important for national security. Prosperity across the north makes for a more secure north. The role of Townsville and Darwin as the principal northern defence hubs for Australia should sharpen the focus on the importance of overseas migration to sustaining them.
High population churn is another feature of northern Australia’s demography. The Northern Territory’s annual churn rate is infamously the equivalent of a million residents leaving and entering Victoria each year. Every five years, one-third of the NT population changes. Even Cairns, renowned for its tropical lifestyle, experienced 28,000 residents leaving and arriving in 2021–22, the equivalent of 18% of its population. The level of domestic migration churn in the north is several times higher than for overseas migration.
Such turnover erodes skills bases, stability of employees for businesses and community continuity. It also can severely degrade delivery of critical services such as health care.
On the other hand, arrivals of overseas migrants have helped many communities in northern Australia become vibrantly multicultural. Nearly half of Darwin’s people, for example, are born overseas or have both parents born overseas.
A feature obvious to visitors is the multicultural homogeneity of northern city demographics, rather than enclaves of cultures evident in parts of larger cities.
Populations in the north are generally younger than in the rest of Australia. That reflects the nature of employment opportunities but is also a driver of the rate of out-migration. Often, the pull is towards family and friends in the south, particularly as people start to form families or to seek new job opportunities. For overseas migrants, larger diaspora communities in the rest of Australia can be an attraction to move.
Effective education, training and employment strategies are also needed to fully activate young and migrant workforces alike.
Townsville’s liveability strategy identifies three critical factors: residents feeling safe, socially connected and included; environmental sustainability; and access to affordable and diverse housing options connected to employment, shopping, parks and community services.
The 2021 Australian Infrastructure Plan specifically recognised the liveability imperative in northern Australia in its recommendations for approaches to infrastructure to support communities.
The AIP also called for closer, long-term cooperation between all levels of government and with business and community bodies in ‘place-making’ in northern communities.
While ongoing strong flows of overseas migrants will be required to sustain and secure northern Australia for years to come, Australia’s success in building communities that are better able to retain residents for longer will be a key factor in growing northern populations and skill bases, and consequently reinforcing security.
The government is embarking on a strategic, evidence-based approach to migration planning, aiming to align skills with demand and foster collaboration with states and territories. This includes a shift towards longer-term migration planning, facilitating better management of intake, and fostering closer collaboration with States and Territories.
To define Australia’s skills needs, a formal role for Jobs and Skills Australia will be established, utilizing evidence and insights from tripartite mechanisms involving the government, business, and unions. This collaboration aims to ensure that skills development aligns closely with the demands of the Australian job market.
Recognizing the importance of skills recognition, the government will enhance the approach to skills assessment, unlocking the full potential of migrant contributions to the workforce. Additionally, an expanded outreach program will be launched, improving accessibility to the migration system and providing valuable support to those navigating the process.
The government is embarking on a comprehensive simplification agenda to improve the migration system’s efficiency. This initiative includes reducing visa classes, streamlining settings, and enhancing overall user-friendliness.
Already underway, the government has invested in reducing visa backlogs and modernizing the migration system to provide a smoother experience for migrants and employers. To further streamline the system, unnecessary and duplicate visas will be abolished, making the process more straightforward.
Importantly, simplification is not just a short-term goal, but a key objective embedded in the Migration Strategy. This commitment ensures ongoing efforts to create a more accessible and efficient migration system, enhancing the experience for both migrants and employers.
A personal yet universal story. This is such a deep day for me. In our multi-cultural democratic society we have found home from the furtherest parts of the world.
As refugees, Australia gave passage to my family. There were so many atrocities, so many tragedies to escape from Hungary and Europe. Australia means so much. When I received my OAM it was for my parents and all those who made home there. Our democratic multi cultural society is a time to embrace us all. This year as an Australia Day ambassador, I am going to Griffith where the Italian, British, and Sikhs are celebrating on the land of the Wiradjuri nation. I always love the First Nations opening. I have to enjoy a gelato, visit the Australian War Museum, bookmark the wonderful Sikh – Indian Festival in June. I shared time with Omar Singh last year when he was the Australia Day Local Hero of the Year. Where he and his team sent food supplies in floods and droughts and more. I love working with the Indian community.
I have been an Australia Day ambassador for 14 years and gone everywhere from Deniliquin, Urana, Tenterfield, Lachlan Shire, Wakool, Lightning Ridge … to Lithgow. Every community has been extraordinary as I was invited into their real lives. I got bogged in the floods of Lightning Ridge, cried with those who lost their homes in the fires of Lithgow, crossed amazing country as thousands of sheep blocked our way in the massive lands of Wakool, travelled along the Edward River of Deniliquin and ate true meat pies baked by the Mayor. Our land is amazing, funny, quirky, filled with mates and stories that resonate. Australia gives us all so much.
It is a great thing to be Australian.
Last year, arriving by plane were a net 510,000 migrants. This was double the number of the previous year and out of line with historic norms for a country with a population of 26.5 million.
There were long wait times on visa applications from those seeking entry for work in areas officially identified as “in demand.”
Last month, a policy announcement by Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil underscored that the government remains committed to high immigration levels but made clear that there would be a new emphasis on efficiency.
These changes, intended to make immigration policy work well for the nation and would-be migrants alike.
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 Skill Select. 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 lodgment of your visa application (provided you meet all other visa lodgment 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: NT GSM nomination applications for 2023-24 now open for subclass 491
The NT Government have begun accepting new applications for nomination under the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) subclass 491 visa program.
Applications are assessed under new eligibility criteria as published on the NT website.
A summary of key changes to eligibility criteria are as follows:
Please see the full eligibility criteria.
Onshore applicants should make their applications well ahead of any visa expiry dates. Those who have visas expiring should seek professional advice on their visa options and ensure that they remain lawful during their stay in Australia.
It is the applicants’ responsibility to ensure that they meet visa eligibility criteria, including maintaining valid skills assessments and English test results.
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).
NOTE: The 2023 – 24 program opened on 5 September 2023. Migration Queensland will only consider EOIs lodged on or after 5 September 2023 – updated EOIs will not be considered.
Migration Queensland criteria requires you to:
The agency also requests all applicants to ensure they have carefully read and understood the new criteria relevant to their stream or pathway, and that they meet the criteria before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI).
The 2023-24 Skilled Migration Program will be open to both onshore and offshore applicants and provide pathways for skilled workers, graduates, and small business owners.
Before submitting an EOI for Queensland, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements.
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.
NOTE: If you submitted a subclass 491 ROI for the 2022-23 program, you must submit a new ROI for the 2023-24 program.
If you submitted a subclass 190 ROI for the 2022-23 program, you do not need to submit a new ROI for the 2023-24 program. You should ensure that all information in your ROI is still correct.
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 2023-24 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. To be eligible, ensure all the information in your SkillSelect EOI is up to date and you have selected South Australia as your first preferred state or territory to move to in Australia.
South Australia will be assessing candidates on merit by the following factors, within their nominated occupation:
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 recognized 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;
ROIs submitted before 1 July 2023 will remain valid for the 2023-24 program year.
ROIs and applications submitted from 5 July 2023 fall under the new eligibility requirements.
In cases where new requirements are likely to be beneficial, candidates may wish to withdraw their current ROI and submit a new one. (There is no charge to submit a Registration of Interest)
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 still 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) you must be skilled in an occupation that both:
It is important to note that not all occupations within ANZSCO unit groups are eligible for the respective visa. It is the responsibility of the prospective migrant to ensure their occupation is eligible for the visa before obtaining a skills assessment.
Your EOI must be exclusively for the ‘Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190)’ or ‘Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass491)’ and seeking nomination from NSW only.
This means that if your Skillselect EOI has multiple visas and/or multiple states selected (this includes selecting ‘ANY’), your Skillselect EOI will not be considered for NSW nomination.
What are the NSW target sectors?
The NSW target sectors are specific industry sectors that have been identified by data research as having critical skills shortages in NSW. They include:
Although all validly submitted SkillSelect EOIs will be considered during an invitation round, priority is given to EOIs in these target sectors.
Is my occupation within a NSW target sector?
The NSW government cannot confirm whether individual occupations fall within NSW’s target sectors. So long as you maintain a validly submitted EOI in SkillSelect, your EOI will be considered in all future NSW invitation rounds.
Will NSW invite EOI’s in occupations outside of the NSW target sectors?
High-ranking EOIs in occupations outside of the NSW target sectors may be considered during invitation rounds; however, it’s crucial to understand that the odds of receiving an invitation are exceptionally low due to high demand and limited spots.
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.
Australians should brace for a weaker economy in 2024 as higher interest rates force families to tighten their belts, but the country should avoid a recession this year due to strong migration.
Forecasts published in January by Oxford Australia foreshadow a new phase in cost-of-living defined by a looming peak in interest rates and continuing financial pressure for families.
But Oxford Australia’s head of macroeconomic forecasting Sean Langcake said that budgetary pain will be tempered in aggregate because population growth is set to remain quite strong.
In other words, while individual families are doing it tougher and spending less on goods and services, there are enough new people coming into the economy to ensure growth continues.
Budget projections for net overseas migration are 316,800 in 2023-24 and 261,800 in 2024-25, which is markedly lower than the past financial year but still well ahead of longer-term averages.
That should translate into annual GDP growth remaining above 1 per cent, Oxford predicted, which would be well below the 2.1 per cent posted over the year to the September quarter.
“It’s still very much a population growth story,” Langcake said of Australia’s growth prospects.
Migration to stave off recession
The Oxford forecasts paint a picture for the economy that has many similarities to last year, when strong population growth was enough to offset three quarters of a per-capita downturn.
On one hand that’s positive because it means a spike in unemployment is unlikely, particularly as strong population growth to date hasn’t really disrupted the jobs market, with analysts saying migrants added as much to labour demand as they have to supply in the post-pandemic period.
Construction sector key to growth outlook
In that context the outlook for the construction sector is key to the growth outlook in 2024, because it can help ease housing market pressures and drive forward GDP growth.
Oxford Australia noted that construction enters 2024 with a sizeable backlog of projects to clear, notably including projects that began under the HomeBuilder program during COVID-19.
The ability of the sector to complete these projects and begin addressing new demand is a big uncertainty, particularly after a difficult period for builders struggling with soaring inflation rates.
“We remain cautious on how much work will be realised as dwelling investment in 2024, as the sector is still struggling against capacity constraints,” Oxford Australia analysts said.
“However, if build times do recede, the large backlog of work means there is considerable upside risk to our outlook.”
The choppy performance of the construction sector was evident when ABS data showed dwelling commencements plunged 10.4 per cent towards the end of last year.
The September-quarter figures showed private house commencements were down 9.7 per cent.
Commonwealth Bank economist Harry Ottley said the level of new dwelling starts was the lowest in about a decade, which does not bode well given the state of the housing market.
“But a variety of forces are working to subdue activity; higher borrowing costs, elevated inflation for new dwellings, poor consumer sentiment, uncertainty around the path of the cash rate, as well as concerns about the health of the construction sector are all weighing on near-term activity.”
“The Federal Government’s new migration strategy should make positive contributions by improving the integrity of and confidence in Australia’s migration program and by helping employers source the increasingly scarce skills they need in a tight labour market,” Innes Willox Chief Executive of the national employer association Ai Group said.
“Better planning for migration targets, improved processing, support for the regions, an emphasis on attracting specialist skills and improved identification of skills in demand are all welcome changes that will help the system to better respond to the needs of our modern economy.
“Careful monitoring will be necessary to ensure that the much higher Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold of $70,000, and its indexing, will not serve as too much of a barrier to entry. Similarly, the $135,000 minimum salary for access to streamlined specialist skills pathway visas is at the high end of expectations.
“These settings should be reviewed regularly to understand their impact and the Government should be open to adjusting such target levels as necessary.
“The move towards multi-year planning for permanent migration numbers is welcome. This should be accompanied by a recommitment to maintain the target of at least two-thirds of that program being comprised of skilled migrants.
“Strengthening the requirements for international education providers and raising English language standards will benefit the educational experience for both international students and the Australian students they study alongside.
“Many of the future commitments in the migration strategy are accompanied by plans for tripartite consultation involving business, unions and government, which is welcome. However, we have seen in recent years union consultation on visa applications becoming effectively union vetoes of certain applications for skilled visas or labour agreements. For example, in the face of union opposition it is extremely difficult to get visas approved for truck drivers who are desperately needed across the country. The Government should not be outsourcing visa approvals or indirectly supporting protectionist, anti-competitive behaviour from the unions.
“The cost of accessing skilled workers from overseas can reach tens of thousands of dollars for each employee. We look forward to discussing with the Government how those costs can be reduced particularly if a worker on a temporary skilled visa transfers to a new employer sponsor.
“We thank Ministers Clare O’Neil and Andrew Giles and their department and offices for the close consultation with Ai Group over many months in the development of this strategy.
“Employers understand that to have a successful migration program requires community support. Hopefully, the changes announced today will help the community to understand and appreciate the value the immigration program delivers through its greater emphasis on the skills we need and the focus on the integrity of the system and realistic targets,” Mr. Willox said.
Australian employment hit a record high of over 14.1 million in December 2023, according to data by research firm Roy Morgan, with 9.2 million now employed full-time and over 4.9 million employed part-time.
Despite high employment – which is up by 607,000 compared to a year ago – more than 3 million Australians were unemployed or under-employed in December, making up 19.4% of the workforce.
Australian employment increased by 165,000 due to a rise in full-time employment – up 234,000 to a new record high of 9,242,000. However, part-time employment was down 69,000 to 4,933,000.
Meanwhile, an estimated 1,364,000 Australians were unemployed, down 0.9% to 8.8% according to Roy Morgan, which is more than double the estimate of 3.9% by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) for November. However, it is comparable with the combined ABS unemployment and under-employment figure of 10.4%.
Including underemployed, Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine said the Australian workforce hit over 15.5 million, also a record high.
“As we have stated all year, a big reason for these record highs, and continuing high unemployment and under-employment, is the large growth in the size of the Australian population over the last year,” Levine said. “The increases are driven by a record high annual population increase of 831,000 during 2023.
“This level of increase is almost three times larger than the long-term average over the last 25 years during which the Australian population increased on an annual basis by an average of 280,000.
Levine said the rapidly growing population has led to increases in employment metrics across the board.
Levine said the high net immigration has kept Australia out of a recession over the last two years with the latest ABS quarterly GDP growth for September 2023 showing the economy growing at only 0.2% for the quarter. This is less than the rate of population growth.
The December Roy Morgan Unemployment estimates were obtained by surveying an Australia-wide cross section of people aged 14+. A person is classified as unemployed if they are looking for work, no matter when. Roy Morgan’s unemployment rate is presented as a percentage of the workforce (employed & unemployed).
When we said “happy new year” last month, for the first time in quite a while it may actually turn out to be true, at least in an economic sense.
Subsequent events might have largely erased it from memory, but Australia’s economic performance between 2013 and 2019 was so poor that one of our leading economists, Ross Garnaut, described the period as the nation’s “dog days”.
In 2020 and 2021 we went through COVID lockdowns that shuttered vast swathes of the economy for months at a time.
Sure government stimulus bailed out most businesses and many individuals but, despite various booms the cash splash ignited, it wasn’t a particularly joyous time for most.
The end of lockdowns and reopened borders in 2022 promised much but instead delivered a war in Ukraine, which exacerbated COVID supply chain disruptions rubbing up against stimulus-fuelled demand, stoking the highest inflation in decades.
Along with the inflation came the biggest jump in interest rates for more than a generation, after a general trend of falling borrowing costs since the early 1990s.
Those rates kept rising in 2023 as what was once thought of “transitory” inflation proved a lot more stubborn to contain than many economists, including those at major central banks, expected.
Inflation and rates expected to head down
So, after what has been a miserable decade for the average working-age Australian, what are the causes for optimism in 2024?
First among them is the expectation that the stubborn inflation, which peaked just below 8 per cent on an annual basis in December 2022, will continue on its downward trajectory.
The most recent monthly numbers had annual price rises at 4.9 per cent over the year to October and most economists expect that to fall to 4.5 per cent when the latest November figures come out tomorrow.
CBA’s economists are hopeful that annual inflation might even start with a three when the December figures are released near the end of this month.
That kind of forecast has traders on the financial markets fully pricing in a Reserve Bank rate cut by September this year, on hopes that inflation will be close to coming within the RBA’s 2-3 per cent target by then and still on a clear downward trend.
Many think the first rate cut might come as early as June.
Wages to beat price rises
The second cause for optimism is that wage growth exceeded price growth for the past couple of quarters, meaning working Australians on the whole are no longer suffering continued real wage cuts.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers was out yesterday spruiking that fact.
“We’ve seen the fastest wages growth in 15 years, and what these new numbers show is that people on the lowest pay are getting the biggest percentage increases,” he told reporters at a press conference he called to release some new Treasury research.
Those figures showed, while wages growth was around 4 per cent overall over the year to September, it was 6.7 per cent for the lowest paid group and around 5 per cent for the second lowest paid quintile of workers.
That was largely due to a big increase in minimum and award wages from July 1 last year, which mostly affected lower income workers.
By way of contrast, the top quintile, or 20 per cent, of income earners saw their pay packets rise a more modest 3.2 per cent.
“What this shows is we’re getting wages moving again overall in our economy,” Chalmers continued, “but we are prioritising people on the lowest pay who need the most help.”
He also hinted that those lower income groups might benefit from additional cost of living assistance in the budget on top of electricity rebates, increased rent assistance and bigger childcare subsidies already implemented.
“If there’s more that we can responsibly do between now and in the May budget, then obviously, we will consider that,” the treasurer said.
Disposable incomes to rise as taxes fall
That brings us to the third cause for optimism, this time for those higher income earners whose pay packets generally haven’t been rising as quickly.
From July 1 this year, someone with taxable earnings of $200,000 a year will see their income tax bill fall by $9,075 from close to $61,000 a year to less than $52,000.
That’s a 15 per cent tax cut and, instead of paying more than 30 per cent of their taxable earnings to the ATO, they’ll be paying less than 26 per cent.
Or, to put it another way, the stage three tax cuts legislated by the Coalition and retained under Labor will give this person a 6.5 per cent take home pay rise.
This income level gets the maximum benefit from the tax cuts, but other middle to high income earners will see smaller take home pay rises in the second half of this year.
The net result of falling inflation, falling interest rates, falling income tax rates and rising wages — should they occur as expected — will be a big rise in real disposable incomes after close to a decade of stagnation and, lately, two years of decline.
Australian passport holders can now travel to 189 overseas destinations without having to secure a visa beforehand.
Australians wanting to travel overseas without a visa now have a greater choice of destinations than ever before, according to the latest Henley Passport Index.
Using data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA), London-based investment migration consultancy firm Henley & Partners compared the visa-free access of 199 nations’ passports to 227 locations around the world and ranked them based on travel freedom.
It found that Australian passport holders can travel to 189 of those destinations, either without needing a visa at all, or being able to obtain a visa, visitor’s permit, or electronic travel authority (ETA) upon arrival.
Countries Australians can travel to without a visa
Fifty European destinations, including Germany, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, offer Australian tourists entry without a visa.
Australians looking to stay closer to home can travel visa-free to around a dozen places in Oceania, like the Cook Islands, Fiji, and New Zealand, and 14 in Asia including Hong Kong, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
More than 20 destinations in both the Americas and the Caribbean, such as Argentina, Mexico, Barbados, and Jamaica, don’t require Australians to have a visa to enter.
For Australians keen to head to Africa, 17 locations including Botswana, Morocco, and Rwanda offer visa-free entry, as do five in the Middle East, including Qatar and Oman.
Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malawi and Saudi Arabia are among the more than 40 places around the world where Australians can get a visa or visitor’s permit on arrival, while ETAs are available upon entry to eight destinations including the United States, Canada, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Australia is a top choice for international students, offering access to 9 of the world’s top 100 universities, 95% of globally ranked universities, and 6 of the top 50 student cities. The number of temporary student visas issued in Australia reached an all-time high of 654,870 in July 2023 (according to Australia Visa News). This number is an increase of 300,000 over the previous year.
The Australian government made several changes to its immigration rules impacting foreigners and international students. Here are some of them impacting the work permit of existing students studying in Australia and new students enrolling in universities of Australia.
Working Hours Cap in Australia
International students have the same rights under Australian workplace law as all other employees. From 1 July 2023, the Australian Government re-introduced limits on the number of work hours allowed for student visa holders (subclass 500) studying and working in Australia. Student visa work restrictions were relaxed throughout the pandemic and temporarily removed in January 2022. This temporary arrangement ended on 30 June 2023.
From 1 July 2023, the number of work hours allowed during study terms and semesters was capped at the increased amount of 48 hours per fortnight, during study terms and semesters. This ensured that student visa holders could focus on their learning in Australia, but also take up paid employment and gain valuable work experience while they study.
48 hours per fortnight cap on the number of work hours continues in 2024 for international students.
Skilled-Recognised Graduate visa
The Skilled-Recognised Graduate visa, allowing recent engineering graduates to stay, work, or study in Australia for up to 18 months, has been capped since December 22, 2023.
Higher Savings Proof for International Students
The Australian Government has announced an increase to the amount of savings international students will need to apply for a student visa. From 1 October 2023, student visa applicants will need to show they have a minimum of AU$24,505 in savings to cover annual living costs.
To receive an Australian student visa, there is a list of requirements that you need to meet. One of these requirements is proof that you have enough money to cover your travel, course fees and living costs during your stay. This is to reduce your risk of financial difficulty while you are studying.
If you have lodged a new application on or after 1 October 2023, you will be required to show proof of these new amounts. The amount you need to show to meet the financial capacity requirement is the minimum amount needed for the visa. Actual living costs vary throughout Australia and may be higher than what you need for the visa.
Concurrent Enrollments
The Australian Government announced that international students are no longer able to enroll in two courses at the same time within the first six months of study in their principal course.
As a result, concurrent enrolments have been closed to international students in the first six months of study – taking effect from September 8, 2023.
This means that education and training providers will not be able to concurrently enroll students who have not completed 6 months of their principal course. This change does not impact students already holding concurrent enrolments.
Visa Processing Times
Additional resourcing by the Australian Government since 2022 has led to big reductions in average visa processing times. For example, the average processing time for a student visa application in 2023 has been reduced to as little as 16 days. However, if you lodge an incomplete application, you will receive a notification in your Immi Account with a Request for Information (RFI) from the Department of Home Affairs to take further action.
New measures to protect international students
Back in November 2023, the Australian Government announced new measures designed to protect international students and make them have the best possible experience while studying in Australia. A new VET Integrity Unit was set up by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) to make sure that students are delivered the highest quality education and training. Student attendance will be monitored more closely by the international education sector’s regulators.
Australian Government’s Migration Strategy
Finally, the biggest reform in Australia’s education kicked off in December last year. The Australian Government’s Migration Strategy was released on 11 December 2023. The Strategy is designed to further strengthen the integrity and quality of Australia’s international education programs.
A new adventure awaits and it’s yours to uncover. Here are the telltale signs you’re ready to study abroad in Australia.
Tertiary study is a goal for many and a life-changing experience for all. Studying abroad opens so many doors and gives you the chance to define your own career with learning experiences you might not get in your home country.
If an international adventure has crossed your mind, don’t let it slip by! Every year, hundreds-of-thousands of international students choose to study in Australia.
Here are four key signs you’re ready to discover what’s next and study abroad in Australia.
#1: Independence excites you
You’re on the cusp of a new chapter and you can almost taste the freedom! With your sense of adventure and curiosity, you’re ready for the responsibility and independence that comes with university life, and studying abroad makes it that much more exciting.
Both moving overseas and starting out at university are significant steps for personal development, and it’s what you make of your adventure that counts – the opportunities you seek, the connections you build and the challenges you embrace. While leaving a familiar environment and your family and friends may be a little daunting at first, your student lifestyle is bound to be empowering as you get to make your own decisions, find a new job, learn to manage your finances and navigate your way around a new city.
Working while you study supports your independence by ensuring you can stay on top of your finances and enjoy your student experience. It also provides the chance to make connections outside of university life. International students in Australia can work up to 48 hours per fortnight, but it’s important to ensure you strike an appropriate balance between work and study so you don’t burn out!
#2: Your imagination is already living the sights and sounds of Australia
You’ve dreamt about an overseas adventure in Australia, now it’s time to live it!
Australia is one of the best countries for students to study in the world.
Both vibrant and welcoming, as you undertake a world-class qualification, you will have access to the country’s renowned culinary scene, arts and entertainment and sport and cultural events.
#3: You’ve been wanting to try a new hobby and make new friends
University isn’t just about undertaking your dream course – it’s about making friends, trying new things and having a laugh along the way. Studying abroad gives you the opportunity to put yourself out there and get outside your comfort zone. You’ll have the chance to say yes when you might usually decline, test out that sport you’ve been thinking about trying for years and who knows, you may just discover a hidden talent or meet a lifelong friend.
Volunteer opportunities are also a great way to meet other like-minded students, gain an appreciation for different cultures, and make an impact.
#4: Success is high on your priority list
If you’re ambitious, career driven and keen to make an impression in the workforce, choosing to study abroad in Australia is a big step in the right direction.
Australian universities are top performers in the QS World University Rankings, making students who graduate with an Australian degree highly sought after by employers throughout the world.
Australia Day outside the Sydney Opera House, celebrating Australia’s diverse culture, heritage, and achievements! January 2024
There was competition on the seas at the ‘Festival of Sails’ which saw world-class sailing combined with fantastic waterfront entertainment! Geelong, Victoria. January 2024
Brewers from around Australia showcased hundreds of amazing beers and ciders, wineries and distilleries along with food trucks who served up smoking slow-cooked meats, mouth watering burgers and a whole lot of live music at the ‘Geelong Beer Festival’! Geelong, Victoria. January 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.
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.
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