Australian Immigration Daily News

The Migration Amendment (National Innovation Visa) Regulations 2024 came into effect on 6 December 2024, marking a significant development in Australia’s skilled migration framework. This amendment aims to enhance Australia’s ability to attract exceptional global talent and align the migration program with the nation’s economic priorities.

Key Changes:

• The Subclass 858 (Global Talent) visa has been renamed the Subclass 858 (National Innovation) visa to better reflect its purpose and focus.
• Applications are now by invitation only, ensuring a targeted and streamlined process for identifying and approving highly skilled individuals.
• Applicants must demonstrate the same internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievements as outlined in their invitation letter.
• The role of the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Global Business and Talent Attraction has been removed, as it was underutilised since its introduction.

Purpose and Impact:
The National Innovation Visa is designed to attract individuals with exceptional skills and achievements in fields critical to Australia’s economic growth, including technology, science, and the arts. It supports the Government’s broader Migration Strategy by prioritising talent that can significantly contribute to productivity and innovation.

The Migration (Specification of Study and English Language Requirements (LIN 24/072) Instrument 2024 introduces the Mobility Arrangements for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) under the Subclass 403 Temporary Work (International Relations) visa. This initiative, effective from November 2024, aligns with Australia's commitment to the Migration & Mobility Partnership Arrangement with India.

Key Details:

1. Study Requirements:

   • Applicants must hold a degree from one of the specified foreign institutions, with a focus on fields such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and information communications technology.
   • The qualification must be equivalent to an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level 7 or higher (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degrees).

2. English Language Proficiency:

   ...

The Migration (Arrangements for Temporary Work (International Relations) (Class GD) visa applications) Amendment Instrument (LIN 24/070) 2024 makes key updates to the Migration Regulations related to the Subclass 403 visa. The amendments are part of Australia’s commitment to implementing the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES). This initiative introduces a new visa stream under the Subclass 403 category aimed at attracting early-career professionals to Australia.

Key changes include adjustments to application processes, including the introduction of a pre-application selection mechanism for the MATES visa stream. This process ensures that only selected participants receive a notice of selection, allowing them to apply within a specified timeframe.

Additionally, the instrument clarifies procedures for secondary applications, particularly for family members of primary applicants, and revises how applications in certain streams, such as the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) stream, are processed.

Australia's latest move in streamlining visa applications has introduced the Migration (Subclass 403 (MATES Stream) Visa Pre-application Process) Determination (LIN 24/069) 2024. This legislative change focuses on the new Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES), specifically targeting young Indian professionals.

Under this scheme, participants aged 18 to 30 can apply for the Subclass 403 visa, allowing them to live and work in Australia for up to two years. The application process involves a pre-registration ballot system, where eligible candidates are randomly selected to submit their visa applications. This mechanism aims to ensure a fair allocation of the 3,000 annual visa spots available under the scheme.

The key requirements include holding a valid Indian passport and meeting specific age criteria at the time of registration. The government hopes this initiative will attract top talent from India, contributing to sectors where Australia faces skill shortages.

The "Migration Visa Pre-Application Process Charge Amendment - Mobility Arrangements for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) Regulations 2024" introduces a new pre-application process fee for skilled visa applicants under the MATES scheme. This amendment aims to streamline the assessment of visa applicants by implementing a preliminary evaluation process before formal applications are lodged.

The pre-application charge is designed to reduce administrative burdens and expedite processing times by ensuring that only eligible and qualified candidates proceed to the full application stage. The objective is to enhance efficiency in assessing skilled migrants, ensuring that Australia continues to attract talented professionals who meet critical skills needs. The regulation aligns with the government's broader strategy to optimise Australia's migration intake and address skills shortages in key industries.

Source: Migration-Visa-Pre-Application-Process-Charge-Amendment-Mobility-Arrangements-for-MATES-Regs-2024.pdf