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:

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The Migration (Arrangements for Certain Business Skills Visas) Amendment (LIN 24/078) Instrument 2024 has been introduced to support the implementation of the Subclass 858 (National Innovation) visa, effective from 6 December 2024. This amendment ensures that the application process aligns with the updated framework for the National Innovation Visa.

Key Details:

• Purpose: The amendment formalises application lodgement methods for the Subclass 858 visa, ensuring clarity and consistency in administrative processes.
• Requirements:
  • Applications must use the approved form (Form 47NI) and adhere to the specified submission methods, either online or via email where authorised.
  • Compliance with these requirements is necessary for applications to be considered valid.

Implementation and Consultation:

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:

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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.