Visa Changes Ahead for 2025

As 2024 came to an end, the Australian government announced a series of significant changes to the Australian Migration Strategy for 2025. These changes are designed to better address workforce shortages, promote permanent migration, and enhance the overall functioning of the migration system.

In this blog, we explore some of the key immigration changes for 2025 and the impact on visa applicants, employers, and international students.

The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)

The Australian government has introduced a new list of skilled occupations — the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), This list is developed by Jobs and Skills Australia using an in-depth analysis of business recruitment activity, economic data, and submissions. 

The CSOL consists of three lists that determine the occupations that skilled migrants can apply for. These are:

• Specialist Skills Pathway
• Core Skills Pathway
• Labour Agreement – Essential Skills Pathway

The CSOL applies to the core skills stream of the new skills in demand (SID) visa. It will also apply to the direct entry stream of the employer nomination scheme (subclass 186) visa.

The Skills In Demand Visa (Subclass 482)

On 7 December 2024, the new skills in demand (SID) visa came into effect, replacing the temporary skill shortage (TSS) visa. The key changes are as follows:

• Reduction of work experience requirement: The minimum work experience requirement for the SID visa has been reduced from two years full-time to one year full-time (or equivalent part-time/casual). This work experience must be obtained within five years of the visa application
• The Skills In Demand List .(CSOL) is no longer separated by short and medium\long term occupations and all  occupations can now be granted for up to 4 years, depending on how many years is selected with the payment of the  Skilling Australia Fund (SAF)  at the nomination stage;
• For nominations where the salary offered is over $135,000 any occupation on the ANZCO code version 2022, can be nominated with a few exceptions, one of the main ones being ANZCO 3 level, which is tradespeople and technicians;
• More time to find another sponsor: Under the new skills in demand visa, skilled workers will now have 180 days to find a new sponsor if their employment ceases. The process is made even easier with the introduction of a public register of all approved sponsors in Australia, assisting SID visa holders with their search. After ceasing employment with their 482 sponsor,  a  482 visa holder can work for 180 days  for any  employer in any occupation  over a maximum of 2 different time periods. 
• Clear pathway to permanent residency: The SID visa provides a more secure pathway for skilled workers to obtain permanent residency. Previously, only periods of employment with the same 482  sponsor  could be counted towards permanent residency. Now, time spent with a previous 482 sponsor can be  credited towards time with a new 482 sponsor towards the 2 years  requirements for permanent residency. 
• Any occupation on the CSOL list can be nominated for an Employer Nominated Sponsorship, Subclass 186, Direct Entry application.

Implications for Visa Applicants

If you are a visa applicant who submitted a TSS application after 7 December 2024, you will NOT need to resubmit under the new SID visa requirements. For assistance with your application, book a consultation with a registered migration agent today.

The National Innovation Visa (NIV) (Subclass 858)

On December 7, 2024, the Australian government introduced the new national innovation visa (NIV), replacing the global talent visa. The NIV is for global experts and exceptionally talented individuals who can drive growth in sectors of national importance. The key changes are as follows:

• Invitation requirement: Visa applicants must receive an invitation from the Department of Home Affairs to apply for a NIV.
• Alignment of achievements: Visa applicants are now required to demonstrate the same internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievements outlined in their invitation letter.
• Removal of endorsement requirement: The need for the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Global Business and Talent Attraction has been eliminated.

Implications for Visa Applicants

The NIV aims to attract a broad range of high-calibre talent to Australia. If you are a global researcher, investor, entrepreneur, athlete, or creative, then the NIV visa program may provide you with a pathway for migration. To check your eligibility, contact us at AustraliaMigrate today.

The Points Test

Introduced in 2012, the skilled migration points test measures how desirable migrants are to the Australian workforce and community. The test considers factors such as age, education, English language skills, and work experience.

Although the  minimum score of 65 on the points test is the basic threshold level,  the higher your points, the more likely you will be invited to apply for a visa. A points score of less than 75 is highly unlikely to be granted an invitation. 

The points test has not been changed since it was introduced over a decade ago. Currently, consultation is taking place to explore how the points test can be amended to attract skilled migrants to Australia. In 2025, we may see some changes to the points test. This would be long overdue  but at this point nothing has been announced yet.

Ending Onshore Visa Hopping

In order to prolong their stay in Australia, many visa holders switch between different temporary visas – a practice referred to as ‘visa hopping’.

To address this issue, the government has introduced no further stay conditions on specific visas to crack down on onshore visa hopping. The changes are as follows:

• Visitor visa (subclass 600) holders can not apply for a student visa (subclass 500) onshore.
• Temporary graduate (subclass 485) visa holders can not apply for a student visa (subclass 500) onshore.

In addition to the above restrictions, the Department of Home Affairs will no longer accept Letters of Offers from individuals applying within Australia for a student visa after 1 January 2025. Onshore visa applicants are now required to include a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) when submitting an application to demonstrate their commitment to study.

Implications for International Students

In the past, prospective international students have come to Australia on a temporary visa to visit an educational institution and ensure it is a good fit for their needs. If it was, many temporary visa holders applied for a student visa whilst still in the country. This pathway was quite popular, with over 36,000 applications lodged last financial year.

However, these new restrictions prevent prospective applicants from applying for a student visa onshore. If you are a prospective student, you must take this into consideration when planning your studies in Australia. You must return home before applying, or apply for a student visa in the first place without the reassurance of an initial in-person visit.

In addition to the above, not providing a CoE will make a student visa application invalid. This means that your application cannot be assessed and no bridging visas can be granted to extend your stay. If you are intending to study but are unable to obtain a CoE before your current visa expires, you must depart Australia or explore other visa options.

Conclusion

The Australian government is expected to announce more changes to the migration system over the course of the year. As more details emerge, you can expect to hear it first from us. To learn more about what these 2025 visa changes might mean for you, contact us at AustraliaMigrate today.