Australian Immigration Daily News

Effective from 29 November 2025, this legislative instrument makes technical amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994 to ensure alignment and consistency in the operation of the new Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) visa, which replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa.

Key provisions include:

• Extending the Minister’s power under paragraph 116(1)(g) of the Migration Act 1958 to cancel a Skills in Demand visa where sponsorship obligations are breached.
• Updating the definitions of primary and secondary sponsored persons to include Skills in Demand visa holders under labour agreements.
• Clarifying the circumstances in which an employer sponsor’s obligations in relation to Skills in Demand visa holders and their dependants will cease.
• Ensuring that refusals of Skills in Demand visa applications made outside Australia are recognised as reviewable migration decisions under subsection 338(9) of the Migration Act.
• Amending the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa - Temporary Residence Transition stream to require that the requisite period of qualifying employment be undertaken with an approved work sponsor.

These amendments are largely technical in nature and are designed to support the integrity, clarity, and consistency of Australia’s skilled migration program.

A Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights confirms that the amendments are consistent with Australia’s international obligations and that any limitations are reasonable, necessary, and proportionate to the objectives of maintaining a well-managed skilled migration framework.

Commencement: 29 November 2025
Legislative basis: Migration Act 1958

Migration-Amendment-Skilled-visa-reform-Technical-measures-Regulations-2025.pdf and 

Migration-Amendment-Skilled-Visa-Reform-technical-measures-Regulations-2025----explanatory-statement.pdf