As you are no doubt aware, the Australian government has announced significant updates to the skilled migration landscape, focusing on the introduction of the Skills in Demand Visa, which will replace the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 visa. These changes reflect Australia’s continued efforts to streamline skilled migration and address critical workforce shortages in priority areas.
Here’s what we know to date.
Skills in Demand Visa: The New Framework
The Skills in Demand Visa is expected to launch in December 2024. This visa aims to simplify the process for skilled workers to contribute to the Australian economy, offering clearer pathways and tailored streams for different applicant profiles.
The new visa will feature three distinct streams to cater to various needs:
1. Highly Skilled Stream (Specialist Skills)
Targeted at high-calibre professionals in globally competitive industries or those with niche expertise.
2. Skilled Worker Stream (Core Skills)
Designed for workers in high-demand occupations, addressing critical skill shortages across Australia.
3. Regional Worker Stream (Essential Skills)
Aimed at skilled migrants willing to settle and work in regional areas, encouraging population growth and economic development outside metropolitan hubs.
| Skills In Demand Visa – what we know so far (as at Nov 2024) | |||
| Stream | Specialist Skills | Core Skills | Essential Skills |
| Purpose | Streamlined and fast track pathway for highly skilled migrants | Core pathway for skilled employees | Pathway for lower paid essential workers in critical sectors highly regulated by labour agreements |
Salary Threshold (indexed annually and subject to annual market salary rate) | AUD$135,000 Specialist Skills Income Threshold | AUD$73,150 Core Skills Income Threshold | TBC Essential Skills Income Threshold |
| Occupation | Any occupation except trades workers, machinery operators, drivers and labourers | CSOL to be released | Sector specific |
| Labour Market Testing | Exemption expected – TBC | Yes | Expected (and dependent on each Labour Agreement) – TBC |
| Work Experience | Reduced from 2 years to 1 year | ||
| Visa Validity Period | Up to 4 years | ||
| Permanent Residence Pathway | Yes (pending other requirements such as age) | ||
Changes to Work Experience Requirements for TSS 482 Visa
A reminder that from 23 November 2024, applicants for the TSS 482 visa will only require 12 months of work experience post-qualification, a reduction from the current two-year requirement.
OSCA to Replace ANZSCO
The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), which has long been the framework for assessing occupation eligibility, is being phased out. It will be replaced by the Occupation Skills Classification Australia (OSCA) on 6 December 2024.
OSCA is designed to be more dynamic and reflective of contemporary workforce needs, with frequent updates ensuring alignment with Australia’s economic and labour market demands. This change will support the development of a new Consolidated Occupation List, which will better reflect current skill shortages and employer needs across Australia.
The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
The new Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) will be a single consolidated list which will be used to determine eligibility for the news Skills in Demand Visa. It has been developed and will be managed by Jobs and Skills Australia.
The final CSOL has not been released; however, a preliminary Occupation Shortage List (OSL) which gives an indication of the shortage status of occupations in the Australian labour market can be viewed here.
If you go to the Jobs and Skills Australia site – it will provide employers with a good insight into those occupations that may not be able to be sponsored under the new visa.
What’s Next?
These updates mark a significant shift in Australia’s skilled migration program. While details about the exact criteria and processes for the Skills in Demand Visa and the new Consolidated Occupation List are still forthcoming, the introduction of OSCA and revised work experience requirements signal a clear intent to make Australia more accessible to skilled migrants.
As more information becomes available, it is crucial for employers and visa applicants to stay informed about these changes to plan their migration strategies effectively.
For tailored advice on your eligibility or how these updates might impact your application, feel free to contact our office. We’re here to help you navigate these exciting changes in Australia’s migration program.
