Australian Visa Changes from 1 July 2024

Several significant changes to Australian visas have come into effect from 1 July 2024. Here are the key changes you should be aware of:

1. Student Visa

From 1 July 2024 onwards, the following visa holders are prohibited from applying for the Student Visa through the onshore pathway:

• Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485)
• Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601)
• Medical Treatment (Subclass 602)
• eVisitor (Subclass 651)
• Maritime Crew (Subclass 988)
• Visitor (Subclass 600)

2. Employer-Sponsored Visa

• TSMIT Increase: Starting from 1 July 2024, the TSMIT increases from $70,000 to $73,150. This means that all new nomination applications for the mentioned visa categories must ensure nominees receive an annual salary of at least $73,150 or the annual market salary rate for their occupation, whichever is greater.
• Changes to Visa Conditions 8107, 8607, and 8608: From 1 July 2024, Temporary Work (Skilled) (Subclass 457) visa holders, Temporary Skill Shortage (Subclass 482) visa holders, and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 494) visa holders who stop working with their sponsoring employer will have more time to find a new sponsor, apply for a different visa, or arrange to depart Australia. These visa holders will have up to:

• • 180 days at a time, or
  • A maximum of 365 days in total across the entire visa grant period.

Note: The changes apply to existing visa holders, as well as those granted a visa on or after 1 July 2024. Any periods a visa holder stopped working for their sponsor before 1 July 2024 will not count towards the new time periods outlined above.

3. Temporary Graduate Visa

• The maximum age for applicants has been reduced from 50 to 35 years, except for Hong Kong and British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders and Masters (research) or PhD graduates, who can apply until age 50.
• The Graduate Work stream has been renamed to Post Vocational Education Work stream.
• The Post Study Work stream has been renamed to Post Higher Education Work stream.

4. Working Holiday Maker Program

• UK passport holders will be able to be granted up to three Working Holiday (Subclass 417) visas without having to meet any specified work requirements from 1 July 2024.
• Republic of Philippines passport holders are eligible to apply for a Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa.

5. Visa Application Charge Changes

The visa application charge for all types of visas has increased from 1 July 2024.