Changes to 485 Visa
- Minimum age to make an application for Subclass 485 visa (all streams) reduced to 35 years old from 1 July 2024
- Increase in English Language requirements for making applications for subclass 485 visa (All steams) (came into effect on 23/04/2024):
- The minimum score required for a TGV from IELTS test score increases from 6.0 to 6.5 (or equivalent), with a minimum score of 5.5 for each component of the test (reading, writing, speaking, and listening)
- Stay periods will change to the following:
- Bachelor degree (including honors) – up to 2 years
- Masters (coursework and extended) – up to 2 years
- Masters (research) and doctoral degree (PhD) – up to 3 years
- Stay periods for Indian nationals, as agreed in the Australian Indian – Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA) remain:
- Bachelor degree (including honors) – up to 2 years
- Bachelor degree (with first class honors in STEM, including ICT) – up to 3 years
- Masters (coursework, extended and research) – up to 3 years
- Doctoral degrees (PhD) – up to 4 years.
- Changes to English test validity window:
- The test validity window for a TGV decreases from 3 years to 1 year. TGV applicants now need to provide evidence that they have completed an English Language test within 1 year immediately before the date of the visa application
Skilled Migration- Latest Updates
New Consolidated Skills List:
Jobs and Skills Australia has developed a Migration Labour Market Indicator Model, that it will use alongside deep stakeholder engagement, to develop and then provide advice to the Government on the CSOL.
The draft CSOL is released for consultation purposes only.
Possible future strategies
- State and territories are more interested in those graduate that are working in their occupation
- Change of Partner's point in particular skilled Partner point (Generally states are more interested in couple with skilled partner)
- English: Superior English in some states selected as a priority
- Study Level: There is a possibility that Master get higher point than a Bachelor level study
- Community Language Test: Might not be use in point system
Potential restrictions and policies may include:
- Amending course change regulations to allow changes only after a specified period, currently set at six months (possibility of 12 months)
- Considering imposing restrictions on temporary visa holders, such as those on Visitor Visas, the 408 COVID visa, and 485 Visa holders, from applying for new student visas, and in extreme cases, from student visa to another Student Visas
- Implementing a cap on international student enrolment.
- Additionally, the future of skilled migration and government policy will prioritize skilled workers who can secure employment aligned with their educational background