482 to PR pathway, Working Holiday Visa, 485 graduates UPDATE

Visa changes from 1 July will offer skilled workers new pathways to permanent residency, more places for working holiday makers and the chance for graduates impacted by COVID-19 border closures to make up for their time locked out of Australia.

Here are some of the key changes:

Temporary skill shortage visas 457 and 482 

Temporary skill shortage (TSS) subclass 482 skilled work visa holders will find it easier to apply for permanent residency.

From 1 July, those visa holders can apply under the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream, which lets skilled workers who are nominated by their employer to live and work in Australia permanently.

This new pathway, 482 to PR pathway 186 visa, will only be accessible for two years from this date.

Those eligible for this new 482 to PR pathway would need to have been in Australia for at least one year between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021.

The change will also apply to subclass 457 work visa holders with an occupation on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).

Age limit exemption

Another change impacting 457 work visa holders means they will no longer be restricted by age from applying for permanent residency through the TRT stream.

To be eligible for the age exemption change, 457 work visa holders need to have held the visa from or after 18 April 2017.

They’ll also need to have been in Australia between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021 for at least one year.

Temporary graduate 485 visas

Also from 1 July, current and former temporary graduate visa holders who lost time due to COVID-19 travel restrictions can also apply for a replacement visa.

To be eligible, people must hold a valid temporary graduate visa, or have previously held a temporary graduate visa that expired on or after 1 February, 2020.

They’ll also have to have been outside of Australia between 1 February 2020 and 15 December 2021.

Working holiday and Work and Holiday visa

The COVID-19 border closure meant working holiday makers were locked out of the country, placing strain on industries normally reliant on their contribution.

But from 1 July, there will be a 30 per cent cap increase, over 2022-23 only, to the number of places available to working holiday makers from several countries, which face a cap, as part of the subclass 462 visa arrangement.

From the new financial year, Mongolia and Brazil will also have access to Australia’s Working Holiday Maker visa program, and there will also be changes to age limits and caps for some countries.

The age limit for Italian and Danish citizens will increase by five years – from 30 to 35 years of age.

There will also be a cap increase for Work and Holiday visa arrangements for Hungary, Austria and the Slovak Republic totalling 1,400 places.

Skilled Migration – SkillSelect

1 July also marks the resetting of places in the migration program, presenting new opportunities for skilled migrants.

The various pathways for skilled workers to enter Australia are about to rise by more than 30,000 places.

Contact VISA LOUNGE AUSTRALIA  today to start your visa process without delay.