Skilled Visa News
Get the latest updates on skilled visas, including SkillSelect Skilled Independent, Skilled Nominated, Skilled Work Regional, Temporary Graduate Skilled, and Permanent Residence visas.
Australia continues to be a sought-after destination for individuals seeking quality education and diverse employment opportunities. This overview focuses on key data from the 2023-2024 financial year, shedding light on trends in student visas, skilled migration pathways, and family visa considerations. Student Visa Insights Key updates include: Processing restrictions: The introduction of Ministerial Direction 111 has slowed student visa processing, particularly for education providers nearing new enrolment caps. This has led to a drop in granted student visas and increased scrutiny of applications. Ongoing high demand: Despite policy tightening, student arrivals in early 2025 reached record levels, indicating persistent demand for Australian education, especially at the university level. The international... Read more
About Skilled Migration
SkillSelect is an online application process that enables skilled workers and business people interested in migrating to Australia through the submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI).
All EOI’s are considered and, if you are a successful applicant, you will be issued an invitation to apply for the skilled migration visa you have conveyed interest in.
You may also be found and nominated by an Australian employer or State or Territory Government if you have skills and qualifications that are required in Australia.
Employers seeking to sponsor or hire foreign workers can visit our Australian Employer Services page.
Visa Application Charge (VAC) Increases
Various visa subclasses saw an increase in their VACs from July 1, 2024. For example, the Skilled Independent (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (subclass 190), and Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visas all had their base application charges increase.
Skilled Visa Income Threshold Changes (TSMIT)
The TSMIT, which dictates the minimum salary employers must pay sponsored overseas workers on certain visas (like the subclass 482 and the new Skills in Demand visa), increased to $73,150 on July 1, 2024. This threshold is indexed annually and is projected to rise again to $76,515 from July 1, 2025. The Specialist Skills pathway within the new Skills in Demand visa, which initially had a higher income threshold of $135,000, is also expected to see this minimum salary requirement increase to $141,210 from July 1, 2025. These adjustments aim to ensure that sponsored workers are highly skilled and that local wages are not undermined.
2024-2025 Migration Program Allocations
The Australian government has set its permanent migration program levels for 2024-2025.
- Total Places: The program is set at 185,000 places.
- Skill Stream Focus: The Skill stream will account for 132,200 of these places.
- Employer-Sponsored Increase: Allocations for Employer-Sponsored visas have risen to 44,000.
- Regional Emphasis: State/Territory Nominated and Regional visas are each allocated 33,000 places.
- Skilled Independent Reduction: Places for the Skilled Independent visa category have been reduced to 16,900.
- BIIP Phase-Out: The Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) allocation is now 1,000 places as it is being phased out.
Skilled visa processing priorities
Skilled visa applications are processed according to government policy priorities:
- Subclass 124 (Distinguished Talent) Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme)
- Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme)
- Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment) (Provisional)
- Subclass 189 (Skilled - Independent) Subclass 190 (Skilled - Nominated)
- Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional))
- Subclass 457 (Temporary Work (Skilled)) Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage)
- Subclass 489 (Skilled - Regional (Provisional)) Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional))
- Subclass 494 (Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional))
- Subclass 858 (Global Talent)
- Subclass 887 (Skilled - Regional)
- Subclass 888 (Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent).
Skilled visa applications are processed in the following order
- Visa applications in relation to a healthcare or teaching occupation.
- For employer sponsored visas, visa applications where the applicant is nominated by an Approved sponsor with Accredited Status.
- Visa applications in relation to an occupation to be carried out in a designated regional area.
- For permanent and provisional visa subclasses, visa applications that count towards the migration program, excluding the Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional)) visa.
- All other visa applications.
For all categories above, priority will be given to holders of eligible passports.
All other skilled visa applications are assessed in order of date of lodgement.
Migration planning levels
The 2023-24 migration planning level will be 190,000 places, with 137,100 allocated to the skilled migration stream.
Skilled Visa Application Charges
The application process for an Australian skilled work visa requires payment of mandatory Government Visa Application Charges (VAC), which differ depending on the type of skilled work visa and the number of applicants involved.
Call +61 (0)7 5592 0755
Or book an appointment with one of our registered migration agents .
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The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191) allows individuals holding a qualifying visa who have lived for at least 3 years in a designated regional area and who have also earned the specified income amount, to reside permanently in Australia.
The visa can include eligible members of your family. You do not need a sponsor or nominator for this visa.
This is a provisional visa. It is for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia.
This provisional visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by a regional state/ territory government or an eligible relative.
It provides benefits including a pathway to permanent residency (Subclass 191).
If you are a skilled worker who is not sponsored by an employer, state or a family member, you may be eligible for the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189).
This permanent visa enables successful applicants to live and work anywhere in Australia.
To qualify, you must have an eligible occupation appropriate to this subclass and score at least 65 points in the points test at the time you are invited to apply.
Skilled Migration Reviews
I would like to thank This is Australia for their support starting from my 494 visa to my 191 PR visa application which was approved today. What I thought would take 10months was approved in just 2months. Stuart Eley as well as Steve Rungassamy have been very helpful - walked me through the entire process and ensured that I had all the necessary documents for the application. Again, I am very thankful to this company. I did not have any doubts coming to Stuart Eley for assistance. Best regards and I hope you can help more clients in the future!
mae anne dela paz
21/03/2025
Leah and Martin from This is Australia had helped me and my husband's 485 visa and both were granted. They deliver great service and are approachable. Every time I had questions, they gave us very informative answers.
Krizzle De Leon
03/02/2025
Want to give a big thanks to Marty and Leah for assisting in my 485 Graduate Visa. They were so helpful and knowledgeable throughout the whole process. Would highly recommend This is Australia!!!
Edward Wall
18/07/2024
I would highly recommend This is Australian Migration Agency as they did an amazing job with my 491visa application I had the opportunity to have Martin as my visa agent ,and all I can tell you that whole team was very professional and extremely efficient. I love to thanks Anthony and Erine too. Thank you so much for everything ❤️
Amandeep Singh
08/07/2024
Thanks to “This is Australia” team. They helped me in getting my 485 replacement and 491 visa. Special thanks to Martin, tony and Mathew for all their help and assistance.
munaf mehdi
22/07/2023
Thank you Jerry for your best services for my 491 Visa.
Dreampwn Phucharoun
23/01/2023
My husband and I would rate TIA 'ten star' if we could. The service provided by Ernie, Sookyi and Audrey was exceptional. We were advised, guided, supported and encouraged by a team of skilled and professional people. People who really care. The granting of the Permanent Residency visa for my partner has changed our lives forever and we will always remember the TIA team who we worked with through the process. A BIG thank you from both of us.
Garry Huggett
07/01/2023
Great and professional migration agency. I did my graduate and skilled visa with them and I was very pleased with their service and communication. Martin and Tony always kept me updated and answered all my questions every time I reached out. I can't recommend them enough.
Alex Mijares
09/09/2022
Can’t recommend this team enough. I’ve used This is Australia for several visa applications which has resulted in me being successful with a 491 regional visa. Recommended these guys to several friends already!
HARRY M
06/04/2022