The Department of Home Affairs has just published the temporary visa data for the September 2024 quarter, revealing a record-breaking 2,463,600 temporary visa holders (excluding tourists) by the end of September. This is an increase of 163,600 people compared to the same period in 2023, and nearly half a million more than in September 2019!
Seasonal adjustments show similar growth trends, with India leading the surge in temporary migration. Since the pandemic, the number of Indian nationals holding temporary visas has risen sharply, reaching 300,000 by September 2024 (excluding tourists), up from 200,000 in September 2019.
Key Visa Categories:
Student Visas: 674,600, up by 10,400 year-on-year, a new record for the September quarter.
Graduate Visas: 228,300, up by 35,000, nearly double pre-pandemic levels.
Working Holiday Visas: 192,600, an increase of 47,900.
Bridging Visas: 338,300, up by 147,000.
Increases in bridging and graduate visas, each up by 134,000 since Q3 2019, are particularly notable. While student visa numbers peak, some students’ applications for asylum contribute to bridging visa growth, offsetting any student visa decline.
With the rise in bridging visas, federal efforts to curb non-genuine student applications are being challenged, and appeal processes are taking longer. Everyone is closely watching for upcoming changes in immigration policy.
New Immigration Directions Announced at MIA Conference (Oct 30-Nov 1)
Skilled Migration: Points for work experience, increased spouse impact.
Higher scores will go to applicants with relevant work experience and higher incomes.
Spousal qualifications, including positive skill assessments and language ability, will boost primary applicants’ points—especially beneficial for dual-income families.
National Innovation Visa (NIV): A New Choice for Global Talent and Investment.
Expected by year-end, the NIV combines the Global Talent and Investment Visa streams, aiming to attract highly skilled individuals who can create jobs and drive investment.
Requirements: 4.5 IELTS or a language fee.
Key benefit: no age or residency restrictions; qualifying funds or skills lead directly to permanent residency.
New SID Visa: Replacing the 482 TSS Visa.
The SID visa, set to replace the 482 TSS, offers more flexibility and covers a broader range of occupations, with a maximum term of four years.
Requirements vary based on salary:
Above AUD 135,000: No age or occupation restrictions.
Between AUD 73,150 - 135,000: Core skill role and occupation list required.
Below AUD 73,150: Limited to critical roles, e.g., aged care.
The SID only requires one year of full-time work experience, and applicants can count experience with multiple employers.
Regional Skilled Migration Priority:
Starting 2024, international student intake caps will push more students toward regional universities. This shift supports increased focus on regional skilled migration.
The government will prioritize processing for 491 and 494 regional visas, with further details coming in early 2025.
No Changes to Parent and Partner Visas:
While no adjustments were announced, processing times for several visas, including 189, 186, and student visas, are accelerating. Partner visa processing is also improving, though significant backlogs remain for parent visas.
462 Working Holiday Visa Deadline:
Submit your pre-application by November 8th! The Department will conduct multiple random draws before April 30, 2025, notifying selected applicants.
Comments