A new state-wide Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) for Western Australia came into effect on 1st July 2024. The WA DAMA, combined with WA’s existing State Nominated Migration Program, will enable up to 10,000 overseas workers to settle in WA annually and help address critical workforce shortages in the state. WA Employers will continue to be able to access the occupations and concessions of DAMAs that are in operation for relevant regions of WA. Additionally, employers will now be able to access a broader list of occupations and concessions under the new WA DAMA. A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a formal agreement between the Australian Government and a regional state or territory authority. DAMA permits employers in designated areas to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for positions they are unable to fill with local workers. It is custom-made to address current and growing labour market shortages and local terms and conditions of employment.

As of 1 July 2024, the fee for international student visas will increase from $710 to $1,600. Alongside this change, a number of previously announced elements of the Migration Strategy also come into effect, including:

Overview The Australian Government announced changes to the Temporary Graduate visa programs in its recent Migration Strategy. These changes should take effect from 1 July 2024, subject to the passage of legislative amendments. Clarification of these changes is listed below. Post-Vocational Education Work Stream The maximum eligible age will be reduced to 35 years of age or under. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders will continue to be eligible provided they are under 50 years of age. Applicants must hold an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification, closely related to their nominated occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).Applicants with a degree level qualification or higher will no longer be eligible for this stream. The stay period will remain up to 18 months, with Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport holders eligible to stay for up to 5 years. Post-Higher Education Stream The maximum eligible age for Post-Higher Education Work stream applicants will reduce to 35 years of age or under. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders will continue to be eligible provided they are under 50 years of age. The ‘select degree’ 2 year extension will cease. Stay periods will change to the following: Stay periods for Indian nationals, as agreed in the Australian Indian – Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), remain as: Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream The Second Post-Study Work stream will be renamed the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream. There are no other changes to this stream. Replacement stream The Replacement stream will cease.

Australia’s migration system is facing significant changes as the government introduces stricter visa regulations aimed at curbing exploitation and improving planning. From 1 July 2024, Visitor Visa holders will not be able to apply for Student Visas onshore. The visitor to student pathway has become increasingly prevalent, with over 36,000 applications since 1 July 2023 to the end of May 2024. Also, Temporary Graduate Visa holders will not be able to apply for Student Visas onshore from 1 July 2024. In addition to existing visas from which it is already not possible to apply for a Student visa onshore, the complete list of visa holders that will be unable to apply for a Student visa onshore are: Quotes attributable to Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security Clare O’Neil “The migration system we inherited was completely broken, and our goal is to build a smaller, better planned, more strategic migration system that works for Australia. “Our Migration Strategy outlines a clear plan to close the loopholes in international education and this is the next step in delivering that plan. “We need a migration system which delivers the skills we need, but doesn’t trade in rorts, loopholes and exploitation.”

Raising the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold From 1 July 2024, the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) will increase from $70,000 to $73,150. New nomination applications from this date will need to meet the new TSMIT of $73,150 or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher. This change will not affect existing visa holders and nominations lodged before 1 July 2024. The Government previously increased the TSMIT to $70,000 (from $53,900) on 1 July 2023.

Genuine Student Requirement As announced in the Migration Strategy released on 11 December 2023, the Australian Government is replacing the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement for grant of a Student visa with a Genuine Student (GS) requirement. Through consultation and discussion with representatives of the education sector, the new GS requirement for international students will aim to identify students with circumstances that support a genuine intention to obtain a quality education in Australia, without reference or confusion to any future intention to migrate. The 300 word statement in the Student visa application form will be replaced with targeted questions. These questions will provide visa decision makers with an overview of the applicant and their reasons for wanting to study in Australia, to contextualise the documentary evidence applicants must provide in support of theirapplication. The intended questions will cover: The Student visa declaration will be amended to require applicants to confirm that they: When the change happens, Ministerial Direction No. 69 will be revoked and replaced by two new ministerial directions, which will reflect the intention for the GS requirement to apply after the intended commencement date of 23 March 2024; and then to ensure that applications onhand, and not yet decided, before the commencement date of 23 March 2024 have the GTE assessment applied to those cases. Further information about the changes will be communicated to education providers and potential applicants, including through the Department of Home Affairs website, social media channels and outreach activities, closer to the implementation date of 23 March 2024.

The Australian Government has made changes to English Language Requirements for Student and Temporary Graduate visas. This change was announced as part of the Australian Government’s Migration Strategy released on 11 December 2023 and applies to all Student and Temporary Graduate visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024. The Migration Strategy outlined how the English language reforms for student visas will support international students to have a positive educational experience in Australia, and prepare them for the skilled workforce should they wish to apply for a graduate visa post study. Temporary Graduate visa (TGV) Student visa Increasing English language requirements for students undertaking VET and higher education courses requires a similar increase in score for those taking packaged ELICOS courses. This ensures that students can transition successfully into their main course, with the appropriate level of English. English Test Comparison IELTS PTE Cambridge Student visa requirement Overall 6.0 50 169 – – – – Temporary Graduate visa requirement Overall 6.5 57 176 Listening 5.5 43 162 Reading 5.5 48 162 Writing 5.5 51 162 Speaking 5.5 42 162 For more information on changes to the English Language requirements for a student, see Meet English language requirements. Source: New English Language Requirements

Australian Visa application fees Increased – 2024 As licensed migration agents, we’re always up to date with the latest developments in visa application processes and fees. In July 2023, the Department of Home Affairs updated the Australian visa application fees, reflecting changes in the economic landscape and the department’s operational costs. Just and idea – Government Fees for Popular Visas The fees for popular visas such as Work, Skilled, Student, Family & Spouse, Business, and Covid visas have been updated in 2024, reflecting the current administrative and processing costs. While specific fee details vary depending on the visa category, it’s important for applicants to be aware of these updates to plan their application process effectively. Visa Fees Compared to Previous Year Visas Previous Year’s Charge 2023-24 Charge Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482) AUD 1,330 – Short-term streamAUD 2,770 – Medium-term stream AUD 1,455 – Short-term streamAUD 3,035 – Medium-term stream Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186) AUD 4,240 AUD 4,640 Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) AUD 4,240 AUD 4,640 Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) AUD 4,240 AUD 4,640 Bachelor & Master’s DegreesTemporary Graduate VisaSubclass 485) AUD 1,730 AUD 1,895 Post-Study Work Rights Visa (Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485) AUD 1,730 AUD 1,895 Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801 & 309/100) AUD 8,085 – Partner visa (subclass 820/801) AUD 8,850.00 – Partner visa (subclass 820/801) Parent Visa (Subclass 103 and Contributory Parent Visa Subclass 143) AUD 385 – AUD 4,355 AUD 420 – AUD 4,765 Business Migration (Subclass 188A, 188B) AUD 6,270 AUD 9,450 Employer Sponsored Visas (Subclass 186, 482, 494) AUD 4,240 – Subclass 186AUD 1,330 – Subclass 482AUD 4,240 – Sublcass 494 AUD 4,640 – Subclass 186AUD 1,455 – Subclass 482AUD 4,640 – Sublcass 494