Australian Immigration Daily News

The Australian Government has enacted the Migration Amendment (Skills in Demand and Nil VAC) Instrument 2024 (LIN 24/097), effective 7 December 2024, to facilitate the transition to the new Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) Visa and repeal pandemic-related provisions. These amendments align with the Government's broader migration reforms, emphasising efficiency and consistency in skilled migration processes.

Key Changes:

1. Renaming and Alignment of Visa Classifications

   • The Temporary Skill Shortage (Class GK) visa is now the Skills in Demand (Class GK) visa.
   • Legislative instruments have been updated to replace references to "Temporary Skill Shortage" with "Skills in Demand," ensuring consistency with the new framework.

2. Repeal of Nil Visa Application Charge (VAC) Instrument

   • The previous nil VAC provision (LIN 21/006), introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to waive application charges for specific Temporary Skill Shortage visa applicants, has been repealed.

3. Streamlined Visa Application Processes

   • Visa application forms and procedures have been updated to reflect the transition to the Skills in Demand visa.
   • Manual lodgement procedures have been refined, including updated email contact information.

4. Consistency with Broader Migration Amendments

   • These changes align with the Migration Amendment (2024 Measures No. 1) Regulations, ensuring a cohesive and modernized migration system.

Purpose of the Instrument

This amendment supports the introduction of the Skills in Demand visa, a key component of Australia’s updated migration strategy, while retiring temporary measures introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. It reflects a return to standard migration operations while addressing critical workforce needs.

Implications

• Employers and applicants benefit from a streamlined and consistent framework under the Skills in Demand visa.
• The repeal of temporary COVID-19-related provisions marks a shift towards sustainable migration policies supporting Australia’s economic recovery and workforce priorities.

This instrument underscores the Government's commitment to modernizing the migration system and addressing Australia’s skilled labour requirements.

Source: LIN24097.pdf and LIN24097-Explanatory-Statement.pdf