AUSTRALIA – Immigration changes as of July 1, 2024.

August 1, 2024


By: Patricia Clarino

On July 1, 2024, a number of significant updates took place within the Australian migration framework. This article highlights some of these changes in detail. 

Working holiday visas.

UK citizens up to age 35 can now apply for subsequent visas without regional work requirements. In addition, Australia introduced Subclass 462 Work and Holiday Visas for Philippine citizens aged 18-30. This visa requires applicants to hold tertiary education qualifications or have completed at least two years of post-secondary education. 

Temporary graduate visa.

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) streams have been renamed as Post-Vocational Work stream and Post-Higher Education Work stream. Age limits are now 35, or 50 for applicants who completed a Masters (research) or Doctoral Degree (PhD) to meet the Australian study requirement or hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport.

The English proficiency requirement has been raised to 6.5 (IELTS or equivalent).

Student visa changes.

In a major change to the operation of student visas in Australia, holders of certain visas including Subclass 485 Visa and Visitor Visas (among others) can no longer apply for a student visa while they are physically present in Australia.  

Superannuation employer contribution.

The Superannuation Guarantee has increased to 11.5%. Employers must ensure that sponsored visa holders receive the additional superannuation entitlement and that the guaranteed annual earnings that have been approved by immigration are not reduced to absorb this increase. 

Other notable changes.

  • Updates to 482 & 494 visa conditions.  
  • Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) raised to $73,150.  
  • Fair Work High Income Threshold (FWHIT) set at $175,000. 
  • Enhanced fines under Migration Amendment Act 2024 for employer compliance. 
  • Government lodgment fees increased by approximately 2.8% for most visa subclasses.

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Newland Chase dedicated contact or submit an inquiry here should you have any specific questions regarding this announcement.

This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Case for any case- or company-specific assessments.