Australian Immigration Daily News

The Australian Government has introduced the Migration (Skilling Australians Fund) Charges Amendment (Subclass 482 Skills in Demand Visa) Regulations 2024, effective 7 December 2024. These amendments support the transition from the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa to the new Skills in Demand (SID) visa while maintaining funding for the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF).

Key Highlights:

• Continuation of SAF Levy:
  The SAF levy now applies to the Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) visa, ensuring that employers hiring overseas workers contribute to the skills development of Australian workers.

• Nomination Training Contribution Charge:
  Employers must pay the SAF levy when nominating overseas workers for the following visas:

  • Skills in Demand (Subclass 482)
  • Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)
  • Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Subclass 494)

• Proportional Levy Based on Business Size:
  The SAF levy amount is determined by the size of the employer’s business and the duration of the visa nomination.

• Impact on Religious Institutions:
  Religious organisations nominating ministers of religion or religious assistants under Labour Agreements remain exempt from the SAF levy.

What This Means for Employers:

Employers sponsoring workers under the new SID visa must continue to comply with SAF levy requirements, which provide critical funding for Australian training programs, including apprenticeships and traineeships in high-demand sectors.

These changes reinforce the Government’s commitment to balancing skilled migration with local workforce development, ensuring that Australian workers benefit from the migration program while supporting industries that rely on international talent.

Source: Migration-Skilling-Australians-Fund-Charges-Amendment-Subclass-482-Skills-in-Demand-Visa-Regulations-2024_20241209-005059_1.pdf and 

Migration-Skilling-Australians-Fund-Charges-Amendment-Subclass-482-Skills-in-Demand-Visa-Regulations-2024-explanatory-statement_20241209-005110_1.pdf