The Australian Government announced late yesterday that the anticipated visa changes will commence on Saturday, 7 December 2024, despite the supporting legislation not yet passing.
Key changes include:
- The TSS visa will be replaced by the new Skills in Demand Visa.
- A new consolidated list of occupations will replace the current short-term and medium-term occupation lists.
This list will apply to:
- The new Core Skills Stream of the Skills in Demand Visa (for roles with salaries between $73,500 and $135,000 base).
- The Direct Entry Stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (for permanent residence).
Further details will be released by noon on Saturday, 7 December 2024.
What We Expect
Based on previous announcements, the Skills in Demand Visa is likely to:
- Be valid for up to 4 years, replacing the current 2-year/4-year structure.
- Require at least 1 year of relevant work experience, down from 2 years.
- Offer faster processing for positions paying $135,000 or more per annum (base).
- Provide a pathway for roles paying below $73,500 per annum.
Key Questions Still Unanswered
- Final criteria and details for the new visa.
- Whether applications lodged before 7 December 2024, for TSS visas in occupations removed from the new list will still be processed or if the new list applies to all applications. While governments usually honour lodged applications, exceptions have occurred.
- Potential changes to the Skilling Australians Fund Levy and refund provisions.
Webinar
As a reminder, we will be holding a Webinar on Monday, 9 December 2024 at 4:00PM AEDT. Further details can be found here.
We are actively working with clients to understand the impact of these changes. If you have concerns or questions, please reach out to your Ajuria adviser for advice.
The post The End of the TSS Visa Era: New Skills in Demand Visa first appeared on Ajuria Lawyers – Leaders in Immigration.