Australian visa changes from 1 July 2023

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Australia’s migration year starts on 1 July, and with it comes a lot of anticipation! Commonly, this is when we see major changes to Australia’s visa system. This includes price increases, changes to visa criterion and more.

Working Holiday Visa

Australian visa changes will see more UK working holiday makers come to Australia.

Below, we outline the main Australian visa changes from 1 July 2023.

UK working holiday age increased

Perhaps the most anticipated change, more UK passport holders are eligible to apply for a working holiday visa. Eligible applicants can apply between the ages of 18-35 inclusive.

Full details are on the Department website.

Price increases

Visa application charges increase in line with inflation each year. Most fees have increased by 6% this year. Some popular visa categories outlines below:

Visa Before Current
Skilled visas (189,190,491) $4,240 $4,640
Partner visas (309/100,820/801) $8,085 $8,850
TSS short-term (482) $1,330 $1,455
TSS long-term (482) $2,770 $3,035
Employer Nominated Scheme (186) $4,240 $4,640
Working Holiday (417,462) $510 $635

Refer to the Department website for a full list of current visa application charges.

Increased income threshold for skilled applicants

Australian visa changes will see increased base wages for 482 visa holders

The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) has increased to $70,000. The TSMIT is the minimum wage a 482 visa holder must receive. Previously, the TSMIT was $53, 900 and

had not been updated since 2013.

By raising the income threshold, it’s hoped that international workers are paid a liveable salary and locals will not be undercut for jobs. However, this increase in salary will make it difficult for smaller businesses as the cost of employer sponsorship continues to rise. Time will tell how this will affect the willingness of Australian businesses to sponsor overseas workers.

If you need visa advice, you can book a consultation with our Migration agent here: Australian Visa Consultation – MARA Registered Agent – Visa Go Australia (visa-go.com)

How to update passport details with Australian immigration

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There are 3 simple ways to update passport details with Australian immigration.

Why you should keep your passport updated

It’s important that immigration has your current passport details. This is because Australian visas are electronically tagged to your passport. If you change your passport, then your visa will need to be added to your new one. Failure to update your passport could result in denied entry into Australia.

If you used a migration agent to process your visa, you are still able (and responsible) for changing your passport details.

Update details via ImmiAccount

ImmiAccount is the Department’s preferred method for updating passport details. It’s quick and free to create an account online.

If you used a migration agent to lodge your visa, then your application will not automatically be in your own ImmiAccount. You can import your visa application by using the reference numbers on your visa grant letter. Alternatively, your migration agent can export the application to you using your ImmiAccount username and email address.

Processing times via ImmiAccount are less than 72 hours. However, we recommend updating your passport details well before you travel to allow for any potential delays.

Using Form 929 to update immigration

The form 929 remains an option for those who prefer paper submissions. You can download the latest version of form 929 on the Department website.

Once completed, you must email the form and a copy of your new passport to 929@homeaffairs.gov.au. The processing time is 30 days. This is the slowest method of updating your passport with Australian immigration.

New online form available

A new Departmental form offers online submission of new passport details for clients who do not have an application in ImmiAccount. For example, some parent visas are still paper submissions and therefore don’t exist in the ImmiAccount.

This new online form offers an efficient solution and faster processing. Requests will be processed within 14 days.

Remember to keep your passport and contacts details updated with immigration.

Skilled Visa Update October 2022

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Want to live and work in Australia? Read our skilled visa update October 2022.

Australian businesses need skilled people to fill jobs. Australia’s skilled visa programme and employer sponsorship opportunities reflect this! If you want to live and work in Australia, now is the perfect time!

Arrange a visa consultation with our migration agent

Skilled visa update October 2022

This month we received 3 invitations for 189 visa clients. These included:

  • A&E Nurse on 70 points – lodged EOI 26/9/22 – applicant onshore
  • Architect on 65 points – EOI lodged nearly 2 years ago – applicant offshore
  • Engineering Technologist on 90 points – EOI lodged nearly 2 years ago – applicant offshore
Nurse

Skilled visa update October 2022 – One of our clients received a 189 invitation as a Nurse

You can see the full Skillselect invitation round results on the Government website. These include figures for 189 skilled independent and 491 regional family sponsored visas only.

Invitation rounds for states (190 and 491 state) are conducted randomly when State Governments choose.

We’ve received numerous state sponsorship invitations for 190 and 491 visa clients.

Learn more about your skilled visa options for free here: Skilled Visas Aus – Visa Go Australia (visa-go.com)

Employer sponsored visa update

This month we had 3 nominations approved from the 482 visa section. To sponsor an overseas worker, an Australian business must become an approved business sponsor which is valid for 5 years. Each time they wish to sponsor an employee, they must lodge a nomination to prove they need to recruit from overseas.

Learn about employer sponsored visas

We are signing up new Australian businesses every month to become approved business sponsors. This means Australian job opportunities and employer sponsorship for people like you! Keep updated by signing up to our monthly newsletter on our website. You can also see our latest jobs here: Current jobs in Australia – Visa Go Australia (visa-go.com)

Visa consultations

Did you know we offer visa consultations for just $100 AU? Learn about your visa options in full detail, and have your questions answered by our migration agent.

We pride ourselves on honest, reliable migration advice. We also offer payment plans for our visa services. For free advice and a quote, please fill out the relevant visa assessment on our website.

Australia needs skilled workers – Get your free visa!

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Australia has long relied on skilled worker to fill jobs and support their economy. In the wake of the pandemic the stats are clear – Australia needs skilled workers.

Australia needs skilled workers

As a result of the Covid pandemic, Australia faces massive labour shortages. The mass exodus of temporary visa holders and closed borders has created skill shortages across the country.

Australia shed nearly 600,000 temporary visa holders in 2020, many of whom were skilled workers.

Australia’s hospitality and tourism industries have continued to express concern about their hiring struggles during the Covid pandemic. Public-facing businesses rely on casual workers, many of whom are temporary visa holders. Without students and backpackers, Australian businesses and economic growth stagnates.

Encouraging skilled workers back to Australia

Australia has locked out international students and backpackers since March 2020 – nearly two years! Fortunately, Australia reopened to some skilled temporary visa holders on 15 December 2021. This included working holiday makers, regional skilled visa holders and students.

See if you qualify for a working holiday visa

It is anticipated that reopening the borders to selected skilled visa holders will fill job vacancies.

Free Australian visas

Australia’s Government has changed its message this week, with Scott Morrison announcing free visas for students and working holiday makers. Moreover, student visa holders can now work more than 20 hours per week.

Starting today, student visa fees will be waived for the next 8 weeks. Working holiday visa fees will also be scrapped for the next 12 weeks. This is a massive investment in Australia’s tourism and skilled labour force; a huge gesture to welcome back migrants. You can learn more about applying for a visa application fee rebate on the Department website.

There are currently 23, 5000 working holiday visa holders who are yet to go to Australia.

Mr Morrison is hopeful this will encourage people to “…join our workforce and help us in our agricultural sector, in our hospitality sector, and so many of the other parts of the economy that rely on that labour”.

It is worth noting that regional work requirements remain for working holiday visa holders.

If you require assistance with an application, you can complete our free online assessment.

Read the full press conference now

Australia needs skilled workers

Working Holiday Visa

Australian Travel Update – Border restrictions ease

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The Government has announced an important Australian travel update.

Australian Travel Update

From 15 December 2021, Australia will open its borders to a number of fully vaccinated travellers.

Since March 2020, Australia has enforced some of the world’s tightest border controls, including on its own citizens. Previously, only Australian citizens, permanent residents and immediate family members were allowed to enter Australia under covid restrictions. This exciting travel update opens Australia’s borders to a number of eligible visa holders.

Who can enter Australia?

Eligible visa holders include a variety of temporary and provisional visa holders. This includes students, working holiday makers and regional skilled visas holders. A complete list of eligible visa holders can be viewed on the Government website.

Australian Travel Update

Travellers are encouraged to read over covid requirements closely before arranging travel. Vaccine and covid test requirements are detailed on the Government website. Moreover, strict quarantine requirements still exist in some states. State and Territory information can be found here.

Are tourists included in this update?

Visitor visas (651, 601, and 600) are not included in this Australian travel update. Therefore, potential tourists are still required to apply for, and be granted, a travel exemption. The Department’s website details who may be granted a travel exemption upon application.

If you require advice you can complete our Visa Assessment, and we will send you some free and personalised information.

We also offer visa consultations with an experienced Migration Agent for just £60.

Australia map

Have Australian borders reopened?

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Have Australian borders reopened? Last week, news headlines ‘Australia is re-opening’ created excitement for many. Since March 2020, Australia has enforced some of the strictest border controls, separating families and disrupting social cohesion. There are many people wishing to both leave and enter Australia, and as we look closer at Australia’s announcement, we explain what this means.

Who can currently enter Australia?

Entry is permitted for Australian citizens, permanent residents, and those few in exempt categories. This has remained the same, with no confirmed details about when Australia will allow temporary visa holders to enter.

However, Australia’s Prime Minister has confirmed that skilled visa holders and international students are next in line, once overseas Australian residents have returned. This is hopeful, and we predict Australian borders may open further in mid-2022.

Why Australians are unable to go home

The primary reason for Australians being unable to return is the high cost of quarantine, and the small number of quarantine facilities available. Currently, any traveller entering the country must complete a 14-day isolation in a designated hotel, costing upwards of $3,000 AUD. Limited quarantine facilities meant the introduction of flights caps, resulting in small numbers of people entering Australia every week. A backlog of Australians wanting to return home remains.

Last month it was reported that over 45,000 Australians are stranded overseas and have registered for government help (repatriation flights). The most recent repatriation flight offered from London to Darwin sold out in just 6 minutes.

Australian borders – What has changed?

Australians can travel overseas

As part of its Covid strategy, Australia banned its citizens from leaving the country without an exemption. The Australian Government has now confirmed that once a state reaches 80% vaccination rate, they can reopen. This means most Australians can leave and travel overseas to visit family.

Check Australia’s vaccination rates on the Department of Health website.

This announcement does not yet mean Australia is open to tourism. Moreover, temporary visa holders cannot yet leave Australia as they are not guaranteed re-entrance under the current rules.

Changes to Australian quarantine

Soon, fully vaccinated travellers will be able to quarantine at home. Trials have been successful in NSW and SA, and the Government is pushing forward to make this Australia-wide. By allowing Australians to leave and then home-quarantine on return, families can be reunited, and hotel quarantine freed up for those who are unvaccinated. Australia’s flight caps will be reviewed (and hopefully increased) at the end of this month. These are promising developments.

Australian borders closed due to covid

Australian borders have been tightly controlled since the Covid pandemic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discover your Australian visa options today.

Visa Update

Follow this page for live visa updates from the Department of Home Affairs and our Visa Go Australia offices.

 

Live updates:


Brisbane State Sponsorship – Program Status Update – The department is undertaking consultation within the Queensland Government to determine the requirements for the migration program for 2021-22. It is anticipated the program will open in September 2021. Agents and applicants are advised to monitor the BSMQ website and social media for further updates: https://migration.qld.gov.au/ 11 AUG 2021

 

South Australian state sponsorship invitation and approval for one of our clients today! This was processed in less than 2 weeks and is the second approval for our clients this month. Read about the South Australian lifestyle here: https://www.migration.sa.gov.au/why-south-australia  10 AUG 2021

Partner visa grant – offshore application lodged August 2021. 01 AUG 2021

South Australian state sponsorship invitation and approval for one of our clients today

South Australian state sponsorship invitation and approval for one of our clients today! This was processed in less than 2 weeks and is the second approval for our clients this month. Read about the South Australian lifestyle here: https://www.migration.sa.gov.au/why-south-australia

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Visa Go Australia
1 week ago
Visa Go Australia

It's a busy time in our offices as states reopen their sponsorship programs (visa subclasses 190 and 491). If you're a client, please regularly check your emails for updates. New blogs and social content coming soon! ... See MoreSee Less

Its a busy time in our offices as states reopen their sponsorship programs (visa subclasses 190 and 491). If youre a client, please regularly check your emails for updates. New blogs and social content coming soon!
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