Exclusive Australian Immigration News, Updates & Opportunities
July 2024
This bulletin is for members only, and provides our members with month to month updates on Australian immigration policy changes and consequential opportunities. Opportunities are found via federal and state government policy shifts for the demand and supply for certain occupations.
This bulletin will keep you up to date so that you do not have to employ expensive immigration lawyers to provide you with monthly research.
July 2024 has landed, and the percentage of Australians born overseas has now reached its highest level since 1893!
The sharp increase amounts to a 6% rise in the total number of residents born overseas, more than double the annual increases observed in the decade before the pandemic.
In the latest population figures from the ABS, this massive net overseas migration number has pushed Australia’s population to nearly 27 million, providing confirmation of what is now being positively described as an endless migration boom!
In This Month’s Federal News: The Australian government has recently handed down the 2024-2025 Federal Budget. In this update, we outline additional key points from the Budget that affect Australia’s immigration policies.
In other Federal News, we look at new data that’s helping to reshape Australia’s migration system. This data can provide improvements to skilled migration that could lift Australia’s productivity growth and boost government budgets while making the process simpler and more transparent for migrants!
In This Month’s State News: Skilled workers residing offshore remain eligible to be considered for ALL State and Territory nominations! Please view the State Migration Section of this month’s bulletin for all State and Territory programs and opportunities available!
In This Month’s Economic News: New Australian Bureau of Statistics population data shows that migration is driving growth, as booming migration numbers accounted for 84 per cent of Australia’s population growth in 2023!
In other economic news, the Australian Taxation Office has just revealed the top 10 highest-paying jobs that don’t require a university degree. In this month’s bulletin we examine these top-paying jobs and their corresponding salaries!
Adding to the good news, we take a look at an Aussie beach that has trumped every other in the country and almost the world after it came in second on a global list – and no, it’s not Bondi Beach.
In This Month’s Student News: The number of international students in Australia has just topped 700,000 for the first time, helping to drive the number of temporary entrants to 2.8 million, which is another new record!
Also in this month’s student news, we look at the new Financial Capacity Requirement that Student visa applicants need. International students who can show they meet this Financial Capacity Requirement are better able to make informed decisions about their future.
All this and much more in the July issue of The Australian Immigration Bulletin! Let’s take a deeper look at what has happened so far and what is planned for the remainder of July 2024 in Australian Immigration, so that you can start planning!
All members now have FREE access to an online IELTS English Platform and course to practice, study and improve their English and IELTS score. The IELTS exam is one of the key recommended exams you will need to take in order to Apply for Skilled Migration to Australia and the better your results, the higher points you will get when submitting an expression of interest. The advanced English and IELTS platform will allow all members to practice Mock IELTS Exams, learn cutting edge tips and gain a greater understanding of how to achieve a Band 9+.
All members also have access to “ImmiConnect” which is now available in the member’s area. ImmiConnect is the Office of Immigration Australia’s Employer Sponsored program which allows overseas workers to receive job interview invitations from Australian employers, when job opportunities come available.
The program aims to bring globally mobile, highly-skilled and specialised individuals to Australia who can fill critical areas of need.
ImmiConnect is exclusive to active Australian Immigration Bulletin Members only. You must be a current Australian Immigration Bulletin Member to be eligible to receive job interview invitations.
So if you are interested in receiving these invitations, please sign up for FREE by Clicking “ImmiConnect” and adding your name and email address.
*2 WINNERS DRAWN EVERY MONTH:
Current Round: March 2024 – July 2024 (10 Winners/Prizes in total)
Next Round: August 2024 – December 2024 (10 Winners/Prizes in total)
There is always a winner, and the next one could be you!
The winners of the July 2024 Immigration Prize Giveaway were drawn at 10am AEST on 1st July 2024.
Congratulations to the July 2024 winners! You have been sent a confirmation email with details on how to claim your prize!
The next 2 lucky winners will be drawn at 10am AEST on 1st August 2024.
As of 6th July 2022, people entering Australia do NOT need to provide evidence of Covid-19 vaccination status. Additionally, people leaving Australia will NOT be asked to provide evidence of their vaccination status. Unvaccinated visa holders do NOT need a travel exemption to travel to Australia. It is however important to remember that airlines, vessel operators and other countries may have specific requirements that travellers need to comply with.
Please see the list of vaccines that are recognised by the Australian government for travel purposes here.
We asked those who have established themselves with skilled……….. Read more
This Bulletin and its contents is for general information purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional advisors.
As legislation and travel requirements are constantly changing, we strongly recommend obtaining advice on your individual situation from a Registered Migration Agent.
Please click here to book a consultation with one of our Registered Australian Migration Agents, located in Australia.
Forster, New South Wales
The Results of the August 2021 census were made public on 12th July 2022, and revealed that Australia has become a majority migrant nation, as the census data shows for the first time that more than 50 per cent of residents were born overseas or have an immigrant parent. Last year’s census counted nearly 25.5 million people, including 1 million new residents. Australia’s 2023-24 Migration Program has been carefully designed to boost the social and economic outcomes that meet Australia’s needs. In fact, the migration programme was first launched in 1945 following the aftermath of World War 2. Given this long history, it is worth understanding how it works. The Australian Immigration Bulletin exists to help explain this in more detail. As we’ve entered the 7th month of the year, join us for a look at the latest news and developments in the world of Australian Immigration!We asked those who have established themselves with skilled jobs to share their experience and tips for a career in Australia.
We spoke with Eduardo, a skilled migrant who is an environmental engineer currently working for a private environmental consultancy.
Tell us about your work
I had a really good background in environmental consultancy from Brazil.
I know how that industry works:
What was a career challenge in Australia?
Definitely the biggest challenge was proving that an engineer from Brazil can be as good as an engineer from anywhere else in the world.
I think confidence is really the key point. You have your resume to present your experiences and having a good background of work experience is helpful. But it really comes down to how confident you are explaining this in the interview.
How did you job search?
I started looking pretty much like everyone else:
Because I was focused on finding something in my field I also had other approaches:
How did you get your job?
I found a company on my list and checked the LinkedIn page. There was an ad for an environmental engineer.
So I put in my best application for that position. They called me and scheduled an interview for the week after. It was the worst week of my life waiting for that interview to come! But that’s how I found my job.
What have you learned through the job search?
One thing I’ve learned about myself is how resilient I am.
I am open to new experiences, and then I can go through pretty much anything and start fresh and progress all over again.
I know how to make my way to the top again.
What tip would you give to migrant job seekers?
Don’t give up, keep looking, something will pop up!
And especially be confident. Always be confident in our profession, as we were in our home country.
And like I said before, it’s always good to use your resilience.
The share of Australians born overseas has surpassed 30% for the first time since 1893, after record migration in the year to June 2023 pushed the figure out of its Covid-induced plateau.
Australia drew in an additional 500,000 foreign-born residents, taking the total to 8.2 million out of the 26.6 million in the country in June, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics latest data.
The 494,000-person boost to Australia’s overseas-born population signals immigration’s full recovery from pandemic-era border restrictions, after the figure grew by only 155,000 in the preceding year.
The sharp increase amounts to a 6% rise in the total number of residents born overseas, more than double the annual increases observed in the decade before the pandemic.
The Indian-born population grew the most, rising by more than 90,000 to take the diaspora to almost 846,000 in total by June 2023.
The south Asian nation has narrowed the gap with England, which remains the biggest source of Australia’s overseas-born residents (962,000 residents), after peaking a decade ago with a contribution of more than 1 million.
China remains the third-largest source of overseas-born residents, ticking over to more than 655,000 residents, after pandemic border restrictions saw the total slip below 585,000 in 2021.
The steadier growth in the Indian diaspora compared with China’s reflects Australia’s shifting diplomatic relations, according to Dr Aude Bernard from the Queensland Centre for Population Research.
“[China] really started slowing down with Covid … but this was overlaid by the geopolitical tensions, which means that there was growing concern,” she said.
“It’s gone the other way with India – we’ve seen a deepening of the relationship between Australia and India.”
Indian people have increasingly come to Australia in search of work as India’s population growth surpasses its job prospects for tertiary-educated people in India, according to University of Melbourne associate professor Val Colic-Peisker.
“There’s a lot of people who study at universities and come out and they just don’t have great opportunities … and then they choose to emigrate to Australia,” she said.
Bernard said the uptick was mostly “recuperation migration” making up for the pandemic-era border restrictions. “If there hadn’t been Covid, the share of people born overseas would probably be similar today,” she said.
Colic-Peisker said this was because Australia needed more workers to fill skill shortages in sectors such as construction and medicine.
“[Labour] is the point of the whole immigration program. Australia, without importing labour, is in crisis almost immediately.”
The Australian government has recently handed down the 2024-2025 Federal Budget. In this update, we outline the key points from the Budget affecting Australia’s immigration policies.
An AUD 505.9 million investment over five years will deepen Australia’s engagement with Southeast Asia, including measures to enhance visa access and provide long-term business visas for ASEAN member countries and Timor-Leste, promoting regional collaboration and economic ties.
In relation to the new partnership with India, the validity of the Business Visitor visa (subclass 600) for Indian nationals will be extended from three years to five years.
Migration Program Planning
From 2025-2026, the planning horizon will extend from one year to four years to enhance management and stability.
Introduction of Administrative Review Tribunal
An AUD 1 billion initiative over five years will establish the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), replacing the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). This investment aims to eliminate backlogs and improve the efficiency of migration decision reviews, ensuring a more responsive and fair system.
Heightened Emphasis on Compliance
The government will allocate AUD 100 million to the Department of Home Affairs for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to enhance core functions. This will help bolster the Australian Border Force operations, immigration compliance efforts, and maintenance of essential systems supporting these operations and services.
AUD 18.3 million will also be invested over four years to reform the migration system, focusing on economic growth and maintaining system integrity. AUD 15 million will support educational programs to inform migrant workers about their rights and protections under Australian law, while AUD 1.9 million is allocated for a pilot project to crossmatch income and employment data between the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Taxation Office to prevent worker exploitation.
The new reforms reflect the Australian government’s strategic focus on economic growth by competing for highly skilled talent. Significant investment is also aimed at improving the migration system with a focus on protecting migrant workers, increased employer compliance and regional collaboration enhancement.
The Department of Home Affairs is no longer accepting TOEFL iBT scores for visa applications as of July 26, 2023. This is due to a revision of the TOEFL iBT by ETS (Educational Testing Service), which is currently under review by DHA.
What it means:
Accepted alternatives:
The Australian government controls the movement of people and goods across our border. This is to protect Australia’s environment, economy, health and wellbeing, and security.
To avoid issues, penalties and fines, and to reduce the risk of experiencing delays when you return to Australia, consider:
Documents you need to pass through Australian immigration
All travellers returning to Australia must have a:
You can use SmartGate when arriving at Australian international airports if you:
All Australian passports are ePassports. An ePassport contains electronic information that helps to confirm your identity.
SmartGate uses ePassport data and facial recognition technology to let you go through passport control by yourself. It is quick and secure, meaning you may leave the airport faster.
Biosecurity restrictions and requirements
Australia has strict biosecurity controls to help minimise the risk of pests and diseases entering the country. All travellers must meet the requirements before entering Australia.
You must declare certain food, plant material and animal products on your Incoming Passenger Card (IPC). An IPC is a document that identifies and records a person’s entry into Australia. It’s where you declare goods for custom and biosecurity inspection.
If you declare goods on your IPC, go to an inspection point on arrival. A biosecurity officer will assess them.
If you’re unsure, don’t pack it or dispose of it in the bins at the terminal before the inspection points.
You could be fined or prosecuted for carrying undeclared controlled goods.
Officers screen your luggage using:
In many cases, they’ll return your declared goods to you after inspection. Some items may need treatment to make them safe. Some items are not allowed into Australia because of the risk of pests and diseases. Officers may seize these for export or destruction.
Before travelling, check if you can bring your items back to Australia.
Check detailed import conditions on the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) website.
Importing requirements
The Australian Border Force regulates which goods you can and can’t bring in and whether you’ll need a permit.
Restricted items
You must declare these restricted or prohibited items upon arriving in Australia:
Medicines, drugs and herbal remedies
You need to declare all medicine, including:
Medical vapes
A traveller’s exemption applies if you’re bringing medical vapes into Australia. It limits how many vapes, accessories and substances you can bring.
Read more about the rules for bringing vapes and vaping goods into Australia.
Cash
If you’re carrying AUD10,000 or more (or foreign currency equivalent) worth of cash, cheque, traveller’s cheque or money order, you must declare it at the border. Fill out the form on AUSTRAC’s website and download a copy of the submission receipt to show if requested.
Wildlife, plants and animals
You must declare wildlife products on arrival in Australia. Some may also require a permit.
If you buy wildlife products overseas, find out if you need a permit before bringing them home with you. If you don’t have the correct permit, authorities will seize your product. Penalties or fines may apply.
‘Wildlife’ includes any whole, part or derivative of a plant or animal, living or non-living. Examples include:
See also:
Reshaping skilled migration is a policy priority for the Albanese government. But amid the flurry of reforms and discussion papers, you may have missed a quiet transformation in policy-making. Data sources are helping to inject new facts into the debate so that politicians can make better-informed decisions.
The government’s migration strategy, released in December, seeks to ensure that the limited number of skilled visas Australia offers go to the most skilled applicants. Improvements to skilled migration could lift our sluggish productivity growth and boost government budgets while making the process simpler and more transparent for migrants.
Big investments in data assets by governments in recent years have been key to understanding and unlocking these potentially enormous gains. Decision-makers need to be informed about how the system is working and the impacts of policy choices. Without data, they’re just making educated guesses.
The Person Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA) is an indispensable tool for the public service and independent researchers. By enabling datasets on incomes, visas, social services, healthcare, demographics, and more to be linked, it enables researchers to uncover invaluable insights into our migration system, along with other big economic issues.
Before PLIDA, there was no way to understand the income and employment dynamics of migrants holding different visas or to track the outcomes of those visas over time. A policy analyst could only look at a point-in-time snapshot from the Census, or use survey data to follow a sample of permanent migrants for 18 months after their arrival in Australia.
But understanding dynamics over time is crucial: migrants often hold several visas before becoming citizens, and they can take more than 18 months to settle in Australia, have their qualifications recognised, and find a good job. Unlike survey data, PLIDA also contains the entire population of Australian migrants, allowing granular and precise analysis of migrants with diverse experiences.
Analysis using PLIDA data has underpinned the government’s recent reforms.
The government has also taken steps to prevent the temporary skilled visa from becoming a de facto low-skilled work visa. The minimum salary requirement for a temporary skilled visa has been frozen at $53,900 since 2013, and only recently been increased to $70,000.
Other key reforms are in the works, including ensuring high-performing students have the chance to stay in Australia permanently, and reforms to regional visas, including working holidaymakers.
PLIDA is managed by the ABS, which puts safeguards in place to ensure the data are used responsibly, and individuals’ privacy is maintained. Only experienced researchers from approved organisations can access it, and only for specific projects. Researchers access the data through a secure portal, where data have been anonymised, and any output is vetted by the ABS to ensure no individuals can be identified.
If you are interested in applying for a general skilled migration visa to Australia, it is important to have a good understanding of the skilled visa options and how the migration points test works, so that you can maximise your chances of being eligible to apply for a skilled visa.
A general skilled migration visa is an option available to skilled workers who are seeking to qualify for a skilled visa independently, or under a state or family sponsorship. It is an alternative to an employer sponsored visa.
One of the key criteria to qualify for a general skilled migration visa is the points test (a criterion that does not apply to employer sponsored visas). This is often the most challenging aspect for prospective skilled visa applicants to overcome when seeking an invitation to apply for the relevant skilled visa.
If you are considering applying for a general skilled migration program visa, an important concept to understand is the Expression Of Interest (EOI).
If you are considering applying for a general skilled migration visa, it is important to be aware that for certain visas in this visa class, you will first be required to lodge an EOI with the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) through SkillSelect. The EOI is not a visa application, but rather, it is the process by which you can express your interest in applying for the relevant skilled visa (It’s important to note, that there is NO fee to submit an EOI).
This requirement applies to the following skilled visa subclasses:
Let’s take a brief look at each of these visas below:
The ‘subclass 189’ is a federal sponsored visa that grants automatic permanent residence in Australia. It is subject to nil visa conditions or obligations. For this reason, it is often considered to be the most flexible of the skilled visa options available.
A subclass 189 points-based visa allows you to live and work in any state or territory permanently.
The ‘subclass 190’ is a state/ territory sponsored permanent residence visa. It is another points-based visa for which invitations are issued throughout each month by individual states and territories. One of the benefits of applying for state nomination is that you will be granted an additional 5 points.
An important aspect to consider, which does not apply to the subclass 189 visa is that there is an added step in the application process. In this case, you must also apply for nomination approval to a state or territory government. Only upon receipt of an invitation from the relevant state or territory to which you apply can you then apply to the Department for the visa itself.
Your obligations as a subclass 190 visa holder are that you must commit to your nominating jurisdiction’s obligations and commit to residing in your nominating State or Territory for two years from visa grant.
The ‘subclass 491’ is also a points-based state/ territory (or family) sponsored visa. It is a regional visa with a term of five years. The Department issues invitations for family sponsored EOI applications only (in invitation rounds). Invitations for state sponsorship are issued by individual states and territories throughout each month. This will grant you an additional 15 points for the nomination.
Being a provisional visa, this means it provides a pathway to permanent residence in Australia with the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa, subject to meeting specified requirements.
Be mindful that as a subclass 491 visa holder, you must abide by visa condition 8579, which requires you to live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia. For migration purposes, most locations of Australia outside of major cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, etc.) are classed as regional areas.
If your EOI is successful, you will receive an invitation to apply for the visa, as specified in the invitation letter. This then enables you to proceed with lodgement of your visa application (provided you meet all other visa lodgement and visa grant requirements).
Please note, the below State and Territory program updates is a general overview only. It does not take into account any of your personal circumstances. You must check the State/Territory information carefully to ensure you can meet all the requirements for nomination.
Australia is currently facing a shortage of skilled migrants to fill workforce demands. In response, states and territories have been easing the conditions of their visa programs to help attract skilled workers from overseas.
Below is the monthly update for some of the State and Territory opportunities available.
Program Status Update
UPDATE: Closure of NT General Skilled Migration (GSM) nomination applications for 2023-24
The number of NT nomination applications received under the GSM program has now exceeded the available allocations for the 2023-24 program year. (Please note, the 2023-2024 program year ends on the 30th June 2024)
Existing applications that have already been lodged through the online MigrationNT portal prior to 4th December 2023 will continue to be assessed under existing eligibility criteria, and eligible applicants will be issued nominations, subject to availability of allocations. Some eligible applications may need to be placed on hold until new allocations are received in the 2024-25 program year (commencing 1 July 2024). You will be contacted via our online portal if this applies to your application.
Once the above mentioned temporary closure is lifted, you may be able to proceed with the NT’s usual skilled migration program. Program details below:
People residing offshore are eligible to be considered for Northern Territory (NT) nomination. Invitations to apply for Northern Territory nomination will be via the ranking system.
The ‘Northern Territory Offshore Migration Occupation List’ identifies the occupations in current demand in the Northern Territory. This List is important if you want to apply for Northern Territory nomination for either a:
The ‘Northern Territory Offshore Migration Occupation List’ is only applicable for those applying for NT nomination from outside Australia, under the Priority Occupation stream.
Please note: The Northern Territory government has advised that offshore applicants will generally only be offered a Northern Territory nomination for a subclass 491 visa. Subclass 190 nominations will only be offered in exceptional circumstances, such as cases where the applicant has strong connections to the NT.
The NT advises eligible applicants to apply as soon as they meet the eligibility criteria. To receive a nomination from the NT Government, you must:
Before submitting an EOI for The Northern Territory, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements.
For a further explanation, see the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Northern Territory Government website.
Program Status Update
To manage Queensland’s COVID recovery response, applicants currently residing offshore are now able to apply.
Depending on your occupation and situation, there are two state nomination options available for skilled migrants through Queensland.
For Queensland state nomination, prospective applicants must meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements, state-specific occupation requirements and have skills in an occupation that is available on the Queensland Skilled Occupation List.
You may undertake employment once onshore in Queensland through:
Offshore applicants meeting the minimum published requirements are eligible to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI).
NOTE: The 2023 – 24 program opened on 5 September 2023. Migration Queensland will only consider EOIs lodged on or after 5 September 2023 – updated EOIs will not be considered.
Migration Queensland criteria requires you to:
The agency also requests all applicants to ensure they have carefully read and understood the new criteria relevant to their stream or pathway, and that they meet the criteria before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI).
The 2023-24 Skilled Migration Program will be open to both onshore and offshore applicants and provide pathways for skilled workers, graduates, and small business owners.
Before submitting an EOI for Queensland, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements.
For a further explanation, see the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Queensland Government website.
Program Status Update
*Victoria’s 2023-24 state nominated skilled visa program is now closed to new Registrations of Interest (ROI). Please note, the 2023-2024 program year ends on the 30th June 2024.
Once the above mentioned temporary closure is lifted, you may be able to proceed with the VIC’s usual skilled migration program. Program details below:
Open to offshore applicants, the program provides skilled migrants with a pathway to permanent residency in Victoria. The skills that successful applicants bring to Victoria benefits employers and the broader Victorian economy.
The program provides two visa pathways:
As with previous years, applicants will first need to submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) and then be selected on competitive merit to apply for visa nomination.
NOTE: If you submitted a subclass 491 ROI for the 2022-23 program, you must submit a new ROI for the 2023-24 program.
If you submitted a subclass 190 ROI for the 2022-23 program, you do not need to submit a new ROI for the 2023-24 program. You should ensure that all information in your ROI is still correct.
Both onshore and offshore applicants are eligible to submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) for both the subclass 190 and subclass 491 visas.
Your ROI will remain in the system for selection until it is withdrawn, selected or the program year ends.
Before submitting an ROI for Victoria, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements.
For a further explanation, see the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Victoria Government website.
Program Status Update
UPDATE: Closure of the WA State Nominated Migration Program applications for financial year 2023-24
The number of WA applications received under the State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP) has now exceeded the available allocations for the 2023-24 program year (1st July 2023 – 30th June 2024).
WA Migration Services will stop accepting new SNMP applications from close of business on 2 February 2024.
Existing applications that have already been lodged prior to this time will continue to be assessed under existing eligibility criteria, and eligible applicants will be issued nominations (subject to availability of allocations).
Some eligible applications lodged prior to the program closure date will not be considered as part of the 2023-24 program year. Applicants will be contacted if this applies to their application.
Once the above mentioned temporary closure is lifted, you may be able to proceed with the WA’s usual skilled migration program. Program details below:
People residing offshore are eligible to be considered for Western Australia (WA) State nomination. Invitations to apply for WA State nomination will be via the ranking system.
The Western Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List identifies the occupations in current demand in Western Australia. This List is important if you want to apply for Western Australia nomination for either a:
Please note that to be eligible for an invitation in the WA State Nominated Migration Program, you must meet both:
Before starting your application, you will need to check whether your occupation is available on either the WA Skilled migration occupation list (WASMOL) Schedule 1 or 2, or the Graduate occupation list. You can search for your occupation here. (The occupation list search bar is located under the heading ‘Eligible Occupations’.)
Features of the WA 2023-24 State Nominated Migration Program:
Before submitting an EOI for Western Australia, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements.
For a further explanation, see the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Western Australia Government website.
Program Status Update
The ACT Critical Skills List identifies the occupations in current demand in the ACT. This List is important if you want to apply for ACT nomination for either a:
The ACT Government will update this list every four months to make sure that the ACT Skilled Migration Program adapts and responds to the evolving critical skills needs of the ACT economy.
The Canberra Matrix is weighted to ensure that applicants who will make a positive economic contribution to the Territory and/or have demonstrated a genuine commitment to the ACT are more likely to be ranked and invited to apply for ACT nomination.
*ACT nomination does not guarantee a migration outcome. You must still meet the Department of Home Affairs criteria.
Every month, a certain number of nomination invitations are available (prorated on the annual allocation) to those working in the highest ranked Matrix in each occupation.
You can view the ACT’s most in-demand skills for skilled migration by consulting the ACT Critical Skills List.
Before submitting an EOI for The Australian Capital Territory, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements.
Once you’ve submitted a valid Department of Home Affairs Skill Select EOI, follow the ACT Government Process to apply for ACT nomination.
For a further explanation, see the Resources page on the ACT Government website.
Program Status Update
To manage South Australia’s COVID recovery response, applicants currently residing offshore are able to apply.
Depending on your occupation and situation, there are two state nomination options available for skilled migrants through South Australia.
For South Australian state nomination, prospective applicants must meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements, state-specific occupation requirements and have skills in an occupation that is available on the South Australian Skilled Occupation List. Offshore applicants meeting the minimum published requirements can now lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI).
There is an enormous range of occupations on South Australia’s Skilled Migration Occupation List in a range of industries – search for your occupation here.
South Australia will select offshore applicants to apply for state nomination from those who have submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. Offshore applicants will not need to lodge a Registration of Interest (ROI) for this year’s program. South Australia will be nominating offshore applicants from over 250 occupations on South Australia’s Skilled Migration Occupation List. To be eligible, ensure all the information in your SkillSelect EOI is up to date and you have selected South Australia as your first preferred state or territory to move to in Australia.
South Australia will be assessing candidates on merit by the following factors, within their nominated occupation:
Before submitting an EOI for South Australia, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements.
For a further explanation, see the Frequently Asked Questions page on the South Australia Government website.
Program Status Update
Working in Tasmania
The two state nomination options available for skilled migrants through Tasmania are:
The Tasmanian State Nomination Skilled Migration Program supports Tasmanian businesses and increases the state’s working age population. It does this by attracting and retaining migrants with skills genuinely in need by employers, or with the capacity to settle in Tasmania through skilled employment in the long-term, and business activities that will increase employment opportunities.
Tasmania’s skilled migration program is for people wanting to move to the state who have skills that Tasmania need. Skilled migrants are attracted to Tasmania because of the state’s enviable lifestyle, career opportunities, affordable housing, reputable schools and a globally recognized university.
The Migration Tasmania Application Gateway is now available for registrations of interest (ROI) and applications for skilled visa nomination from Tasmania.
Anyone seeking Tasmanian nomination for a Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa or Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa must first register in the Migration Tasmania Application Gateway .
Before submitting an ROI for Tasmania, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements for either;
ROIs submitted before 1 July 2023 will remain valid for the 2023-24 program year.
ROIs and applications submitted from 5 July 2023 fall under the new eligibility requirements.
In cases where new requirements are likely to be beneficial, candidates may wish to withdraw their current ROI and submit a new one. (There is no charge to submit a Registration of Interest)
For a further explanation, see the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Tasmania Government website.
Program Status Update
The New South Wales government has invited applications from offshore migrants under the following nomination streams:
The NSW State Government announced that offshore applicants skilled in certain ANZSCO unit groups are still eligible for NSW nomination.
*Please note: Invitation rounds occur frequently throughout the financial year with no set date.
NSW invites and nominates SkillSelect EOIs at the ANZSCO unit group level. To be eligible for NSW nomination (for either Subclass 190 or Subclass 491) you must be skilled in an occupation that both:
It is important to note that not all occupations within ANZSCO unit groups are eligible for the respective visa. It is the responsibility of the prospective migrant to ensure their occupation is eligible for the visa before obtaining a skills assessment.
Your EOI must be exclusively for the ‘Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190)’ or ‘Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass491)’ and seeking nomination from NSW only.
This means that if your Skillselect EOI has multiple visas and/or multiple states selected (this includes selecting ‘ANY’), your Skillselect EOI will not be considered for NSW nomination.
What are the NSW target sectors?
The NSW target sectors are specific industry sectors that have been identified by data research as having critical skills shortages in NSW. They include:
Although all validly submitted SkillSelect EOIs will be considered during an invitation round, priority is given to EOIs in these target sectors.
Is my occupation within a NSW target sector?
The NSW government cannot confirm whether individual occupations fall within NSW’s target sectors. So long as you maintain a validly submitted EOI in SkillSelect, your EOI will be considered in all future NSW invitation rounds.
Will NSW invite EOI’s in occupations outside of the NSW target sectors?
High-ranking EOIs in occupations outside of the NSW target sectors may be considered during invitation rounds; however, it’s crucial to understand that the odds of receiving an invitation are exceptionally low due to high demand and limited spots.
Before submitting an EOI for New South Wales, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements for either;
For a further explanation of how the skills list works, see the Common questions about skilled visas page on the NSW Government website.
A massive net overseas migration number has pushed Australia’s population to 27 million in the latest population figures from the ABS.
Booming migration numbers accounted for 84 per cent of Australia’s population growth in 2023, according to the latest figures from the ABS, pushing the total population to nearly 27 million.
Net overseas migration was 547,300 in 2023, with 751,000 arrivals and 204,200 departures.
The 27 million figure marks a 2.5 per cent increase in population from the prior year.
Natural increase – or the difference between births and deaths – was 103,900 people, made up of 287,100 births and 183,100 deaths.
Western Australia had the fastest growing population, up 3.3 per cent from 2022, to hit 2,927,900.
This was followed by Victoria, which grew by 2.8 per cent, then Queensland, which grew by 2.6 per cent.
There are now 6,906,000 people living in Victoria, a 186,500 increase, and 5,528,300 people living in Queensland, a 141,400 increase.
NSW remains the country’s largest state, with 8,434,800 people, a 2.2 per cent increase, or 185,500.
South Australia grew 1.6 per cent to 1,866,300 people.
Tasmania saw the lowest growth, at just 0.4 per cent to 575,700 people.
The growth matches population forecasts released by the ABS last year, which outlined potential growth rates for the country out to the 2070s.
In the high-end forecast, 46 million people could call Australia home by 2071.
The stark figure represents a 77 per cent gain in population in the space of 48 years and represents the top end of the ABS forecast.
The “medium” prediction shows the population hitting nearly 40 million by 2071, while the low-end forecast shows a 30 per cent increase in population from about 26 million in 2023 to 34.3 million in the early 2070s.
The bulge in numbers is driven primarily by an expected endless migration boom.
In a high-end estimate, the ABS expects immigrants to add 14.3 million to the population, with a yearly intake of about 275,000 people.
The middle forecast puts the migration contribution at 11.8 million, with an annual increase of 225,000 people, while the low-end estimate is 175,000 new arrivals each year adding 9.4 million to the population.
The ABS suggested without immigration, Australia’s population would shrink in size due to low birth rates, with all scenarios envisioning a birthrate below the replacement rate of 2.1 per cent.
The country’s population growth rate has soared since the Covid years, moving from 0.1 per cent in March 2021 to 2.5 per cent in December 2023.
Eight in ten skilled ICT migrants end up finding “fulfilling roles” in Australia’s IT sector, according to new ACS research.
The first in a series of analyses that will track ICT migration outcomes, Skilled Journeys: Navigating IT Migration in Australia surveyed 2,303 ICT skilled migrants in mid-2023 – finding, among other things, that 90 per cent of skilled migrants ended up finding some form of employment in Australia, and 80 per cent were working in the IT sector.
Most were positive about their decision to migrate to Australia, and said they would recommend the move to others – suggesting that overseas campaigns marketing Australia as a migration destination would find a receptive audience.
The results of the report “run counter to the popular narrative that gig economy work is the inevitable outcome of Australia’s skilled migration system,” ACS chief growth officer Siobhan O’Sullivan said as the new report was released.
“When it comes to the IT workforce,” she continued, “the vast majority are finding fulfilling roles in the right fields.”
Skilled migrants, she said, are providing a “valuable contribution” including “helping fill the critical shortage of IT professionals in Australia, especially in a time when the tech industry is facing unprecedented demand for skilled talent.”
Regional areas had particularly benefited from skilled migration, with 27 per cent of respondents saying they lived outside of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane – up from 18 per cent in 2017.
Yet that growth was threatened by job availability, with just 43 per cent of respondents saying they intended to stay in a regional area for more than five years, or indefinitely – a point that led ACS to recommend additional incentives for migrants and employers in regional areas, as well as promoting infrastructure and professional opportunities in regional areas.
Lingering obstacles threaten sector’s growth
Despite calls for Australia to boost the tech workforce from 935,000 to 1.2 million by 2030 – and ACS pushing for even higher numbers – many organisations are struggling to find enough skilled workers to fill even well-paying tech roles.
A growing chorus of voices is calling for more proactive change to VET training, university education, skills development strategies, new forms of training, and Australian Public Service terms of engagement to streamline the skills pipeline.
The federal government – should, ACS advised, address systemic obstacles by focusing on “smoothing the path to permanent residency and citizenship” to make migration outcomes clearer.
The government’s Skilled Migration plan – which includes streamlined visa pathways and simplified immigration processes overall – is a “beneficial initiative designed to bolster our economy, address critical skills shortages, and enhance our global competitiveness,” James Cook University chief digital officer Geoff Purcell said.
“These reforms are not just about filling jobs; they’re about driving innovation, supporting regional development, and ensuring our migration system is responsive to the dynamic needs of our economy.”
Don’t want to go to university and accumulate skyrocketing student debt? University isn’t the only pathway to securing a job with a six figure salary.
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has revealed the top 10 highest-paying jobs that don’t require a university degree. Instead, many of the jobs will require a short diploma or TAFE course to get into.
Air traffic controllers were the highest paying job, earning an average salary of $153,445 in the 2021-22 financial year. This was more than double the average income of $72,327.
Air traffic controllers are responsible for managing the safe and orderly flow of an aircraft into, out of and between airports. You’ll usually need to complete a Diploma of Aviation (Air Traffic Control), which can take between 12 and 14 months.
Aeroplane pilots were next on the list, with an average salary of $143,403 per year. You can usually complete a Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence – Aeroplane) to get into the role.
If trains are more your thing, train drivers were found to have an average salary of $132,430 per year. You’ll need to complete a Certificate IV in Train Driving and may be able to complete this as part of a traineeship with a major rail operator.
Real estate agents also made the list, earning $112,815 per year on average, while auctioneers earned $102,544 on average. They often require you to complete a certificate IV in Real Estate Practice.
Top 10 jobs without degrees
An Aussie beach has trumped every other in the country and almost the world after it came second on a global list – and no, it’s not Bondi Beach.
Stokes Bay Beach in South Australia has been named the second best beach in the world in a new list compiled by Big 7 Travel.
The ‘hidden gem’ on Kangaroo Island boasts a whopping 540km of coastline and is known for its shimmering rock pools and sparkling turquoise waters.
It was beaten by our friends across the ditch in New Zealand with their Piha Beach snagging the top spot.
It’s located on the wind-whipped west coast of Auckland famed for its black sands, foamy white waves and formidable Lion Rock.
While it’s not one for leisurely dips in the sea (the waves are notoriously rough), the views epitomise the rugged beauty of New Zealand’s coastline.
Behind the beach is a small coastal village, much loved by surfers and fisherfolk as well as tourists in the know.
Meanwhile, Moon Bay in Slovenia came third, White Beach, Port Barton in the Philippines secured fourth place and Laomei Beach in Taiwan snagged the fifth spot.
The only other Aussie beach to make the Top 50 list was Cable Beach in remote Kimberley, Western Australia.
It’s renowned for its brilliant blue waters and endless sandy stretches. And while it’s a bit difficult to reach, this year, it’s set to become much easier to explore the region thanks to an influx of cruise ships.
There are hundreds of beautiful beaches to explore, but Cable Beach is the best. Take a ride on the camel train or hop on a boat trip as the sun sinks below the horizon for the best views.
As for Stokes Bay, getting there is half the fun with the beach accessible via a hidden rock tunnel — and tourists have inundated TikTok with clips of the stunning location.
“Stokes Bay in South Australia is the place to visit on your next holiday to Kangaroo Island!!! What an amazing hidden gem of our state!!” TikToker ‘South Aussie with Cosi’ said in a post.
Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison, told news.com.au she is “stoked at the result”.
“Kangaroo Island’s Stokes Bay has once again been recognised as one of the best beaches thanks to its beautiful turquoise waters, giant rockpools, and unique location,” she said.
“Having been ranked as the second-best beach in the world will be no surprise to anyone who has experienced the beauty of Stokes Bay, and being shared atop the international listing is set to help the region, and South Australia, be top of mind for visitors globally.
“The pristine beach adds to the many iconic natural beauties helping attract the 205,000 overnight visitors to Kangaroo Island each year and contributing a record-breaking $280 million to South Australia’s visitor economy.”
For those seeking adventures, the rolling waves provide ample opportunities for good surf, while the giant protected rockpool provides a safe shallow area for little ones to swim and snorkel.
The beach has collected a bunch of titles of the past few years with software provider Bókun (part of the TripAdvisor family) naming it the best ‘hidden gem’ location in Australia.
It also took out Tourism Australia’s annual Best Australian Beaches list earlier this year.
It had beaten nearly 12,000 Aussie beaches to be crowned the best in the nation for 2023.
Mawson MP Leon Bignell said Stokes has always been one of his favourite beaches.
“After making the New York Times top ten places in the world to visit this year, Kangaroo Island is again topping the charts,” he said in a Facebook post last year.
“Stokes Bay has always been one of my favourite beaches and a great place to take visitors to surprise them with the entrance.
“When they start walking along the sandy passageway through the massive rocks they have no idea how stunning the view is going to be on the other side.
“A safe rockpool for the little kids, waves for the more adventurous and on a calm day it’s as flat as a tack. It’s where Dusty the Kangaroo Island Kelpie was born and had his first surf lesson with the local kids.”
Meanwhile, Lonely Planet voted Kangaroo Island one of the top regions in the world to visit in 2024.
From 10 May 2024, the amount of money that Student and Student Guardian visa applicants need to have to be eligible for the visa is increasing.
The financial capacity requirement has been updated to align with a proportion (75 per cent) of the national minimum wage. This will better indicate the amount of money considered reasonable to provide a minimum standard of living while studying in Australia. This proportion considers that students are out of course session for 25 per cent of the year. During this time they may return home or have access to unrestricted work.
International students who can show they meet this new financial capacity requirement are better able to make informed decisions about their future.
Students are less likely to:
The below table outlines the funds you need to show to meet the minimum financial capacity requirement, which will be changed from 10 May 2024.
The Department will assess applications lodged before 10 May 2024 under the financial capacity requirements in effect at the time of application.
The 700,000 visa holders helped push the total of temporary entrants to 2.8 million, another record.
The number of international students in Australia has topped 700,000 for the first time, helping to drive the number of temporary entrants to 2.8 million, another new record.
There were 713,144 international students in Australia on 29 February, according to the home affairs department data published by data.gov.au.
Abul Rizvi, the former deputy secretary of the immigration department, said the result was an “all time record”, up from 664,178 in September 2023.
Rizvi said although the figure reflected numbers before new measures taken by the Albanese government, it showed “they’re going to have to do a lot more”.
“The government’s policy is to pursue permanent rather than temporary migration – and yet they’re sitting on the biggest temporary migration number in history,” he said. “We’re probably past the peak of net migration, of 550,000, but it’s coming down very, very slowly.
Earlier on Tuesday, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said that “population is lower than it was anticipated to be prior to the pandemic and the figures have shown that that’s the case”.
“Because all the borders were shut for the period of time, there has been a higher than normal influx of students, in particular, temporary migration,” he said.
Rizvi agreed with Albanese, noting the September 2023 total population figure was 26.821 million, just short of the 26.981 projected in the Coalition’s 2019 budget, but said by the end of 2024 the claim would “no longer be right”.
In March the Albanese government begun to implement several key recommendations of the migration review, released in December.
These include: lifting English language requirements for student visas; new powers to suspend high risk education providers from recruiting international students; a new genuine student test will be introduced to further crack down on international students looking to come to Australia primarily to work rather than study.
The test will ask students to answer questions about their study intentions and their economic circumstances, with a declaration to be made that they understand what it means to be a genuine student.
This Bulletin and its contents is for general information purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional advisors.
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