Australia Skills in Demand Visa – 2024

Australia 482 Visa will be replaced by the “Skills in Demand Visa” in late 2024

What is the Skills in Demand Visa?

A Replacement: The Skills in Demand Visa is set to replace the existing Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa, offering a streamlined path for skilled workers to fill critical labor shortages in Australia.
Launch: Expected sometime in late 2024.
Focus: Attracting skilled workers to boost the Australian economy and address skill gaps in a variety of sectors.
Three Pathways: The visa has three pathways catering to different salary levels and skill sets:

Specialist Skills Pathway

- Who’s it for?High-income professionals with a minimum $135,000 AUD annually, valuable for sectors like technology, finance, and medicine.
- No Occupation List:Occupations aren’t limited, offering more freedom for highly specialized workers.
- Fast Processing:Aims for a 7-day turnaround time.

Core Skills Pathway

- Who’s it for?The majority of skilled migrants, including many tradespeople.
- Updated Skills List:Heavily dependent on a regularly revised “skills in demand” list from Jobs and Skills Australia to ensure it targets current needs.
- Salary Threshold:Minimum income starts at the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), currently $70,000 AUD and subject to adjustment.

Essential Skills Pathway

- Who’s it for?Lower-paid but essential positions where attracting Australian workers has persistently proven difficult.
- Details Still Emerging:This pathway is under more development, with specifics to be finalized in early-to-mid 2024.

Strategic Shift:Australia is moving away from a reactive system to proactively address skill needs with independent verification.
Worker Focus:The goal is to attract a skilled workforce while also supporting better worker mobility and development.
Flexibility:The aim is to have a system that quickly adapts to Australia’s evolving economic and workforce requirements.

Independent Skill Verification:Skill shortages will be independently assessed, ensuring the visa program truly targets needed areas.
Enhanced Worker Mobility:Workers will find it easier to switch employers, leading to better employee development and opportunities.
Clearer Path to Permanent Residency:The Skills in Demand Visa is designed to provide a smoother route towards permanent residency for skilled workers who contribute to the Australian economy.
Streamlined Labour Market Testing:Reduces the need for extensive advertising on Workforce Australia for certain roles, speeding up the application process.
Modern Accreditation for Sponsors:Simplifies the process for businesses to become approved sponsors of skilled migrants.

Exact eligibility criteria are still being finalized, but the core principles will likely revolve around:

Occupation:Your occupation likely needs to be on the revised “skills in demand” list, especially for the Core Skills Pathway.
Salary:Meeting the minimum salary threshold for your chosen pathway.
Skills and Experience:Demonstrating the required qualifications and experience for your nominated occupation.
English Language Proficiency:Meeting a certain standard of English proficiency.
Other:Potentially meeting health and character requirements.

Applications won’t likely open until late 2024, so please stay tuned for more updates.