Monthly Archives: December 2023

The Australian Migration Strategy 2023 significantly hopes to revise the student and graduate visa scheme, with a strong emphasis on maintaining the integrity of international education. Most of these changes are yet to be legislated and we will update you further then the legislation is released for each of them. To counter the trend of non-genuine students exploiting the visa scheme to access Australia’s labour market, the Government has implemented several measures:

• Closure of loopholes allowing students to switch to lower-quality education providers for work.
• An increase in the savings requirement for student visa eligibility to $24,505.
• Prohibition of agent commissions for onshore transfers between institutions​​.

Elevated English Language Requirements

From early 2024, the Australian Government will introduce higher English language requirements for Student and Temporary Graduate visas:

• Temporary Graduate visa: IELTS score requirement will increase from 6.0 to 6.5.
• Student visa: IELTS score requirement will increase from 5.5 to 6.0.
• ELICOS Pathway: IELTS score requirement will increase from 4.5 to 5.0.
• University Foundation Programs: IELTS score requirement will be 5.5​​​​.

New Ministerial Directions and Genuine Student Requirement

Two new Ministerial Directions will be introduced:

• Academic and Career Consideration: Focuses on the relevance of intended study to students’ future career prospects.
• Prioritization of Processing: Based on the risk level of education providers, with higher risk providers facing slower processing times. A new Genuine Student test will be implemented to curb visa hopping and ensure genuine student progression​​​​.

Enhanced Pathways for Graduate Visa Holders

The graduate visa scheme will be simplified, shortening the transition period from student to graduate visas. The Government will strengthen pathways from graduate visas to temporary skilled visas, like the Skills in Demand Visa, to provide employers with greater certainty regarding graduates’ work rights and pathways to permanent residence. The work experience requirement for a Temporary Skills Shortage visa will be revised to facilitate easier transitions to skilled visas​​.

New Graduate Visa Period and Age Limit

The duration of Temporary Graduate Visas will be:

• 2 years for Bachelor and Masters by coursework graduates.
• 3 years for Masters by research and PhD graduates. Extensions of 1-2 years will be available only to those who studied in regional areas. The maximum eligible age for a Temporary Graduate Visa will be reduced to 35​​.

Clear Post-Study Pathways and Stricter Requirements for Education Providers

The Strategy provides clear post-study pathways, including opportunities for work and, in some cases, permanent residency. It introduces stricter requirements for education providers to ensure high-quality education and training. A new VET Integrity Unit run by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) will oversee the quality of education and training​​.

Simplified Temporary Graduate Visas

The length of post-study work visas will change, but the Temporary Graduate visa will still allow graduates to gain valuable work experience. Graduates working in skilled jobs may be eligible for the new 4-year Skills in Demand visa, providing a clearer pathway to permanent residency​​.

Falcon Migration will keep you posted on these developments when they are legislated.

The warm December weather provides a perfect setting for locals, expats, and tourists to gather in various cities and towns, immersing themselves in the festive spirit. Here’s an exploration of how Australia rings in the new year:

Sydney: The Heart of Celebration

Sydney’s famous harbor foreshore becomes a hub of activity on New Year’s Eve. The Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House form a spectacular backdrop for a colorful fireworks display, attracting crowds from 09:00 PM to midnight​​.

Brisbane: A Sparkling Start

In Brisbane, the Story Bridge area is alive with celebrations. Over 30,000 firecrackers illuminated the sky from rooftops and river barges, creating a mesmerizing spectacle with two major fireworks shows.​​

Melbourne: A Carnival Atmosphere

Melbourne’s high-rise towers launch fireworks, lighting up the night sky. The Yarra River bank and Yarra Park become centers of celebration with carnival festivities, attracting locals and tourists alike​​.

Adelaide: A Musical Fireworks Extravaganza

Adelaide offers a mesmerizing fireworks display along the River Torrens. Elder Park turns into a concert venue, where visitors can enjoy live music and indulge in local Australian New Year foods​​.

Hobart: Celebrating Local Produce

Hobart’s Tasmania festival, spanning December and January, is more than a New Year celebration. It showcases local produce, cider, wine, and beer, with handcrafted delicacies available for visitors​​.

Canberra: Capital Celebrations

In Canberra, Civic Square is the focal point for New Year’s Eve celebrations, featuring live music and firework displays. Nearby Garema Place offers exciting parties with foot-tapping music played by DJs​​.

Perth: A Festival Haven

Perth’s Northbridge suburb hosts several festivals, starting as early as 06:00 PM. Street performers, animated movies, and live music concerts in East Perth contribute to the festive mood​​.

Darwin: Family-Friendly Festivities

Darwin starts its celebrations early with family events and live music at the waterfront. A splendid fireworks display lights up the sky from the seawall at 09:00 PM​​.

Lord Howe Island: A Tranquil Celebration

Lord Howe Island, a World Heritage site, offers a serene celebration. Visitors can enjoy a beach picnic, complete with a bonfire and champagne at midnight​​.

Gold Coast: The Party Hub

Known as Queensland’s party destination, Gold Coast’s Surfers Paradise is a hotspot for tourists and locals, offering an extensive range of fireworks and beachside celebrations​​.

Each location in Australia offers a unique way to welcome the new year, blending traditional festivities with modern celebrations, making it a memorable experience for everyone.

In December 2023, Australia unveiled a comprehensive migration strategy, pivoting towards prioritizing skilled workers and revamping the immigration system. This shift, aimed at streamlining the process for high-value talent, introduces a three-tiered Skills in Demand Visa, catering to various skill levels and sectors​​.

Key Features of the Strategy Central to the strategy are fast-track visas for high earners, flexibility for temporary skilled workers, and an overhaul of the points system to focus on skills over duration of stay in Australia. Additionally, the Skilling Australia Fund (SAF) and post-study work rights have undergone significant reforms, along with the replacement of the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) with the Talent and Innovation visa​​.

Implications for Skilled Visas The strategy emphasizes temporary skilled migration to address specific skills needs and promote worker mobility. It also reshapes permanent skilled migration with a potential reformed points test and introduces integrity measures for international education. These changes aim to tackle worker exploitation and enhance the quality of migrants entering Australia​​.

Challenges and Broader Context A key goal is shifting from temporary migration to permanent residence and citizenship, fostering a deeper connection to Australia. However, this shift occurs amidst challenges in housing affordability and infrastructure development, essential for accommodating population growth. The strategy also plans to stabilize annual migration intake to around 250,000 people​​.

A Balanced Approach Australia’s new migration strategy represents a transformative approach, aiming to attract skilled talent and address systemic issues. While it offers significant benefits, it must also navigate the challenges of housing and infrastructure to ensure a balanced and sustainable migration system.

From 25 November 2023 new nominations for the following visa streams will require Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) holders to have worked in a position with their sponsoring employer, or worked in the occupation for medical practitioners and certain executives, for 2 out of the previous 3 years.

• Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS)
• Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream.

The following COVID-19 concessions will become redundant and will end:

• Periods of reduced work due to COVID-19 will not count towards meeting the work experience requirements for new ENS/RSMS TRT stream nomination applications.
• The COVID-19 concession to the age exemption for high income earning applicants will not apply for new ENS/RSMS visa applications.

The age exemption for legacy 457 workers in Australia for 12 months during the pandemic from 1 February 2020 to 14 December 2021 will apply for ENS visa applications lodged before 1 July 2024.

The COVID-19 concession period ceased on 25 November 2023. ​From early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in international travel restrictions, and deteriorating business and employment conditions. The former Government implemented temporary measures related to an initial concession period. This was to provide concessions for applicants of certain visa subclasses affected by travel restrictions and which made it difficult for them to meet visa requirements. This included where the applicant must be located at time of application.

The concession period is no longer relevant as all COVID-19 international travel restrictions have been lifted. Travellers to Australia no longer need to:

• provide information in relation to their vaccination status, or
• seek travel exemptions.