Australian Immigration Daily News

The Migration Amendment (2024 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2024, effective from 7 December 2024, introduces significant reforms to Australia’s skilled migration framework. This update replaces the Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa with the new Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) visa, aligning with the Government’s focus on addressing critical skills shortages and enhancing economic competitiveness.

Key Features of the Skills in Demand Visa:

• New Visa Streams:

  • Specialist Skills Stream for high-income earners ($135,000+ annually) in key industries.
  • Core Skills Stream based on occupations identified as critical by Jobs and Skills Australia.
  • Labour Agreement Stream for specialised agreements with employers.

• Work Experience Adjustments: The required minimum work experience has been reduced from two years to one year in the past five years.

• Pathway to Permanent Residence: Employment under the SID visa contributes towards eligibility for the Subclass 186 visa through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream.

Implications for Employers and Applicants:
Employers now benefit from a streamlined occupation list to address labour shortages, while visa holders gain increased mobility, allowing them to change employers more easily within the framework.

Purpose and Alignment:
These changes align with the Government’s Migration Strategy, targeting critical sectors such as health, construction, education, and cybersecurity. The SID visa modernises the skilled migration process, ensuring that Australia remains competitive in attracting and retaining top talent.

This reform reflects Australia’s commitment to a more responsive and efficient migration program, tailored to meet the evolving needs of the economy and workforce.

Source: Migration-Amendment-2024-Measures-No.-1-Regulations-2024.pdf and Migration-Amendment-2024-Measures-No.-1-Regulations-2024-explanatory-statement.pdf