1. TSMIT from $53,900 to $70,000
   Effective from 1 July 2023, the Albanese Administration is set to raise the Temporary Skilled Migration
   Income Threshold (TSMIT) from $53,900 to $70,000.
   Having remained unchanged since 2013, the present TSMIT now falls below the payment for roughly
   90% of all full-time positions in Australia, thereby compromising the efficiency of the nation’s skilled
   migration framework.
   The freshly established income benchmark of $70,000 is approximately what the TSMIT should have
   reached if it had been meticulously adjusted over the past decade.
   This decision represents the government’s inaugural measure in response to the comprehensive
   Evaluation of the Migration System, spearheaded by Dr. Martin Parkinson, which identified significant
   shortcomings in Australia’s migration structure.
   Additionally, the Albanese Government is revealing its intent to establish a pathway to permanent
   residency within our existing capped permanent program for Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) short
   stream visa holders by the close of 2023.
   This strategic move is poised to offer heightened assurance to employers and migrants alike, while
   simultaneously enhancing the skill caliber within our enduring skilled program.
2. Australian Visa Fee Increase
   In alignment with the Australian Federal Budget 2023-2024, the Department of Home Affairs has
   reached a resolution to elevate visa application fees (VACs) effective from July 1, 2023. This adjustment
   will result in an increase ranging from 6% to 40% in VACs, contingent upon the specific visa subclass.
   Types of Visa fee increase
    Other visas (6 % of Increase)
    Visitor, training, temporary (short-term stay visas), temporary activity, working holiday visas
   (15% of Increase)
    Business innovation and Investment visas ( 40% of Increase)
    Pacific Engagement Visa and Pacific Australia Labour Mobility visas (Exemption from the
   increase)
   These modifications are intended to bolster the capacity for visa processing and elevate the efficiency of
   service delivery by the Department of Home Affairs.
3. New Student Visa (500) Work Hour
   Starting from July 1, 2023, modifications will be implemented regarding the maximum allowable work
   hours for student visa holders in Australia. These adjusted guidelines will restrict students to a maximum
   of 48 hours of work per fortnight. This alteration is designed to establish a harmonious equilibrium
   between their academic commitments and employment engagements.
   The Minister emphasizes that this revision is aimed at prioritizing students’ educational pursuits, while
   still affording them the chance to acquire hands-on work experience and maintain their financial
   autonomy throughout their stay in Australia. It is imperative for students to conscientiously observe
   these updated work hour constraints, as failure to do so could endanger their visa status and potentially
   compromise their educational and immigration prospects.
   Similarly, employers have a parallel responsibility to ensure strict adherence to the 48-hour fortnightly
   work limit for student visa holders during their scheduled and well-documented study periods at their
   respective educational institutions. Deviating from this rule may lead to substantial penalties and other
   unfavorable consequences for their businesses.
4. Changes in Temporary Graduate (subclass485) Visa:
   Post-Study Work Stream:
   Starting July 1, 2023, graduates meeting the eligibility criteria will be granted an additional two years of
   extended work rights. This extension exclusively pertains to the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485)
   Post-Study Work stream. The Government has made available occupation lists, outlining the specific
   professions, and a list of qualifying qualifications that will grant graduates access to these extended
   work privileges.
   The extended work rights areas follows:
    Two years to Four years for select Bachelor’s degrees.
    Three years to Five years for select Master’s degrees.
    Four years to Six years for all Doctoral degrees.
   Graduates who meet the criteria for eligibility and hold a valid Temporary Graduate Visa on July 1, 2023,
   or submit an application for a Temporary Graduate Visa subsequent to this date, will be evaluated for
   the two-year extension.
   Graduate Work stream (subclass485) Visa:
    From 1 July 2023, applicants for the Graduate Work stream will require to have relevant
   qualifications and nominate one occupation from the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List
   (MLTSSL).
    Need to have a suitable skills assessment/applied for skills assessment for the nominated
   occupation. This skills assessment is generally a qualification-only assessment and does not need
   to provide work experience.
5. TSS 482 Visa Holders Given 6 Months To Find a New Sponsor
   The Honorable Andrew Giles MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, and Multicultural Affairs, has
   disclosed a significant update. Individuals employed in Australia under the Temporary Skills Shortage
   (TSS) (subclass 482) visa category will now be granted a duration of 6 months, in contrast to the previous
   60 days, within which they can operate without an employer sponsor. Furthermore, throughout this
   extended timeframe, these individuals will continue to uphold their work privileges.
   **Please take note that the specific commencement date for these revisions is yet to be officially
   declared.
   Currently, TSS visa holders only have 60 days from the date they finish working to either:
    Find another employer to nominate them;
    apply and be granted a different visa; or
    leave Australia.
   The forthcoming adjustment signifies a transformation for TSS visa holders, granting them a period of six
   months – a notable expansion from the existing 60 days – during which they can function without an
   employer. This duration of time will also encompass their continued work privileges.
   This alteration stands as just one among a series of initiatives executed by the Australian government to
   combat the exploitation of migrant workers. The elongated timeframe has been introduced to offer
   individuals greater flexibility, affording them the opportunity to disengage from an exploitative
   employer, rather than remaining tethered by visa-related constraints.

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