Australia is set to launch a new Skills in Demand visa with a pathway to permanent residency starting in late 2024.
The new visa will have a validity period of up to four years and consist of three distinct pathways:
- Tier 1 – The Specialist Skills pathway
- Tier 2 – The Core Skills pathway
- Tier 3 – The Essential Skills pathway
The Skills in Demand visa will replace the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa and benefit both skilled migrants and Australian employers who are seeking overseas talent for their businesses.
Tier 1 – The Specialist Skills pathway
The Specialist Skills pathway is designed for high-paid professionals with specialist skills who will help drive innovation and job creation in Australia. Skilled professionals who earn over $135,000 per year will be eligible to apply for skilled migration to Australia via this pathway.
Tier 2 – The Core Skills pathway
The Core Skills pathway will focus on filling skill gaps across a wide range of occupations. This will be the main sponsorship option for most Australian employers and is expected to provide the majority of the visas for this program. The income threshold for this pathway is likely to be between $70,000 and $135,000 per year.
Tier 3 – The Essential Skills pathway
The Essential Skills pathway is designed for lower-paid workers in critical sectors. It will involve union oversight, cap the number of allocations, and likely be restricted to specific sectors. Applicants looking to apply for Australian skilled migration through this pathway need to have an annual income of less than $70,000.
Other Benefits
Skills in Demand visa holders will be able to change employers more easily and have access to clear pathways to permanent residency in Australia.
Moreover, the earning threshold for the Specialist Skills and Core Skills pathways will be reviewed annually to ensure that skilled migrants earn a fair income that is comparable to their Australian counterparts.
Furthermore, the new Skills in Demand visa will grant skilled migrants a period of 180 days to find new employment after leaving their current job. With the subclass 482 visa, skilled migrants would have 90 days to find a new job after leaving their previous employment.
Benefits for employers include a consolidated occupation list for the Core Skills pathway, which will make sponsoring overseas workers easier and faster.