We provide a list below for proposed 1 July changes. Please note that this list is current as at the date of this email and that some of the legislation that supports these changes has not yet been released.

Home Affairs announced changes to Employer Sponsored Migration Pathways

• TSMIT increase to $70,000 – Legislative Instrument not yet released – https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/archive/article?itemId=1057
• VAC increases as per the Budget – Legislative Instrument not yet released

Many changes related to COVID concessions will end on 1 July 2023.

Subclass 482 Temporary Skills Shortage visa- Short-term stream

– Third Subclass 482 Short stream visas can only be applied for onshore until 1 July 2023, unless a new legislative instrument is released that extends this date. To date, there have only been media articles reporting that this limit on the short-term stream will be removed.

Employer sponsored visa Labour Market Testing – Aust-UKFTA – Inclusion in ITO Instrument

– UK Citizens are now exempt from Labour Market testing requirement

Certain New Zealand Citizens to have access to Australian Citizenship

From 1 July, NZ SCV holders PR for Citizenship purposes. This is confirmed in the legislative instrument – LIN 23/024

Graduate Subclass 485 visas

– Currently Graduate Subclass 485 visas, as a COVID concession did not require that a skills assessment be provided. From 1 July 2023, 485 Graduate work-stream will again have to nominate an occupation on the list and provide a skills assessment unless a new legislative instrument extends this COVID concession.

– 485 Post Study work stream extended work rights and 2-year extension during COVID may cease after 1 July 2023. For further information please see https://www.education.gov.au/extended-poststudy-work-rights-international-graduates

Student visas

– From 1 July 2023, the relaxed working restrictions will end, and student visa holders work right will be increased from 40- to 48 hours per fortnight.  See the Department link for more information https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500/temporary-relaxation-of-working-hours-for-student-visa-holders
The Australian Government has announced that student visa holders already working in the aged care sector on 9 May 2023 can continue to work unrestricted hours in the aged care sector until 31 December 2023.​

Subclass 407 secondary visa holders

– Work rights for secondary visa holders will revert to 40 hours per fortnight on 1 July 2023. We are still waiting on clarification as to whether this will also increase to 48 hours, in line with the student visa increase.

Subclass 417 for UK citizens

Under the new arrangements:

– from 1 July 2023, UK passport holders can apply for a Working Holiday visa between the ages of 18 and 35 years inclusive
– from 1 July 2024, UK passport holders can be granted up to three separate Working Holiday visas without having to meet any specified work requirements (see current rules on ‘specified work’ requirements).

Changes to visa medical examinations

From 1 July 2023, urine tests will no longer form part of the medical examination. The Department will require a blood test to be undertaken instead. Applicants aged 15 years or older, who have not completed their medical examinations prior to 1 July 2023, will be required to undertake a blood test. children between the ages of 5 and 14 years old will not be required to undertake urine or blood tests unless clinically indicated.