Australian visa news today

Here are some recent Australian visa news updates:

Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa changes

• The Australian government has announced changes to the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa program, which will take effect from March 2023. The changes aim to improve the program's integrity and ensure that only skilled workers are employed in Australia. Key changes include:
  • A new "short-term" stream for TSS visas, which will allow employers to sponsor workers for up to 12 months.
  • A requirement for employers to demonstrate that they have made genuine efforts to recruit an Australian citizen or permanent resident before sponsoring a foreign worker.
  • A new "labour market testing" requirement, which will ensure that employers have advertised the job vacancy to Australian citizens and permanent residents before sponsoring a foreign worker.

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) changes

• The Australian government has announced changes to the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) program, which will take effect from November 2022. The changes aim to improve the program's integrity and ensure that only highly skilled workers are granted permanent residency. Key changes include:
  • A new "points-based" system, which will assess applicants based on their skills, qualifications, and work experience.
  • A requirement for applicants to have at least three years of relevant work experience.
  • A new "English language" requirement, which will ensure that applicants have a high level of English language proficiency.

New Zealand citizens' visa-free travel

• The Australian government has announced that New Zealand citizens will no longer need a visa to travel to Australia from November 2022. The change is part of a new travel agreement between Australia and New Zealand, which aims to simplify travel arrangements between the two countries.

Visa application processing times

• The Australian government has announced that visa application processing times have improved significantly in recent months. According to the latest data, the average processing time for most visa applications is now around 12-16 weeks, compared to 20-30 weeks in the past.

Regional migration pilot

• The Australian government has launched a new regional migration pilot program, which aims to encourage skilled workers to live and work in regional areas. The program will provide a pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers who live and work in regional areas for at least three years.

Other visa news

• The Australian government has announced plans to introduce a new "digital visa" system, which will allow visa applicants to apply and track their applications online.
• The government has also announced plans to increase the number of places available for international students in Australia.
• The Australian Border Force has launched a new "e-Visitor" visa, which allows eligible travelers to visit Australia for up to three months without applying for a visa in advance.

Please note that visa requirements and regulations are subject to change, and it's always best to check with the Australian government's official website or consult with a registered migration agent for the most up-to-date information.