Australia's New "Skills in Demand" Visa- Aims to Address Skill Shortage and Enhance Worker Mobility

To meet skill shortages and encourage increased mobility within the labour market, Australia has introduced the innovative "Skills in Demand" visa, replacing the Temporary Skills Shortage (Subclass 482) visa. This new visa is designed with three separate pathways tailored to attract temporary skilled migrants crucial to Australia's national productivity.

1. Specialist Skills Pathway: Tailor-made for highly-skilled migrants crucial to Australia's productivity, this stream mandates guaranteed yearly earnings exceeding AUD 135,000, surpassing the income of Australian workers in the same occupation. All occupations, except for trades workers, machinery operators, drivers, and labourers, will be entitled for this pathway.
2. Core Skills Pathway: Geared towards candidates in occupations identified by Jobs and Skills Australia as facing shortages, this pathway requires earnings at least equal to the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold ("TSMIT").
3. Essential Skills Pathway: Presently in development, this pathway targets workers with essential skills earning below AUD 70,000.

Also read- Australia’s new Migration Strategy sets out significant reforms to migration system 

Key Features of the Skills in Demand Visa:

• A 4-year validity period, providing clear pathways to permanent residence.
• Exclusive flexibility for workers to change employers during the visa's validity, with a 180-day period to find another sponsor while remaining employed.
• Discovering models for employers to cover trailing charges and fees, such as the Skilling Australia Fund, to ease the burden of hiring foreign workers.
• Exploration of prospects to modernize the accredited sponsor pathway, facilitating streamlined access for approved sponsors to migrant workers.
• Streamlined visa processing, with an average service standard of 7 days for the Specialist Skills pathway and 21 days for the other streams.

This measure not only addresses critical skills shortages but also highlights adaptability, emphasizing flexibility for both workers and employers, according to a government statement.

In a recent development, the Australian government unveiled its Migration Strategy, outlining a inclusive vision for the country's migration system. As part of the plan, Australia is set to apply stringent visa rules for international students and low-skilled workers, aiming to reduce its migrant intake by half over the next two years.

Changes Which will impact Indians

Two noteworthy changes will impact Indians looking to relocate to Australia:

1. Enhanced English Proficiency Requirements: International students aspiring to study in Australia will have to ensure a higher level of English language proficiency, contributing to an enhanced academic experience and improved integration.
2. Scrutiny on Second Visa Applications: Reforms introduce intensified scrutiny on second visa applications, particularly those seeking extensions. This improved scrutiny is part of broader efforts to streamline the migration system and assess the genuine intent and contributions of individuals seeking prolonged stays in the country.

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To know more and apply for relevant skills or student visa in Australia in 2024, you may call Visas Avenue Australia Migration Expert on Toll-Free No. 78-18-000-777 or you can drop us an e-mail at info@visasavenue.com.

- Rajneesh Kumar