Australian Visa Application 2024: What to Know
The Australian Government has announced a range of immigration changes as part of a major overhaul of the migration system.
Working Holiday Maker visa (subclass 417)
From 1 July 2024, UK passport holders can be granted three separate Working Holder Maker (WHM) visas without having to do any specified work. This means that UK passport holders who previously held a WHM visa under a different passport like an Irish passport, can apply for a second or third WHM visa without having to do specified (regional) work.
Employer Sponsored Visa (subclass 482)
There is also some good news for those on employer sponsored visas or hoping to get sponsored by an employer. From 23 November 2024, the 2-year work experience requirement for Temporary Skilled Shortage (subclass 482) visas will reduce to 1 year. This follows last year’s announcement that 482 visa holders will be eligible to apply for Permanent Residency after two years sponsorship with their employer instead of 3 years.
Changing jobs on a 482 visa
On 1 July 2024, further changes were introduced to the 482-visa making it a lot easier to change employer when sponsored. Visa holders on employer sponsored visas will have 6 months to find a new sponsor or apply for another visa if they decide to leave their job. The new rule which allows 180 days at a time and 365 days over the course of the visa term, to find a new sponsor applies to 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) 457 (Temporary Work Skilled) and 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional) visas.
482 visa holders can work for other employers while they look for someone to take over their nomination or apply for another visa. This will ensure visa holders can support themselves while looking for another sponsor and can even work in an occupation not listed on their most recently approved sponsorship nomination during this time.
These changes apply to existing visa holders and those who apply after 1 July 2024.
Further changes expected in late 2024
These are just the start of a major shake-up of the migration system after a comprehensive report delivered in 2023 found that the current system is not fit for purpose. An overhaul of the points system for General Skilled Migration (189/190 visas) has been flagged as has the creation of a new “Skills in Demand” visa. These key changes are expected to be announced later this year.
For further information on how current visa changes affect you or to find out what visa options are available contact [email protected]
