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Major Australian Immigration Changes from 1 July 2025

  • simonpang5
  • Jul 3
  • 2 min read

Skilled Migration Reform

  • Skilled visa quota raised to 142,400 places (71% of total migration intake).

  • The Occupation Shortage List (OSL) replaces the SOL, updated quarterly and state-specific.

  • Regional incentives: Up to 15 additional points for regional study/work (previously 10).

  • Priority sectors: Cybersecurity, data analysis, engineering, and healthcare.

  • Subclasses 189, 190, 491, and 494 remain in place with improved pathways.


Family Visa Changes

  • Partner visas move to a single-stage process, reducing delays. Stronger documentation required (financial, social, testimonial).

  • Parent visa quota to increase by 30%. New 3-year and 5-year temporary options with PR pathways.

  • Dependent child visa: Age limit increased from 18 to 21, with financial dependency requirements (study/disability).


Student & Graduate Visa Updates

  • Extended post-study work rights:

Bachelor’s: up to 2 years

Master’s: up to 5 years

PhD: up to 6 years

  • New graduate PR pathway: Points-based system factoring study duration, regional study/work, qualification, and experience.

  • English language updates: Industry/course-specific benchmarks. Accepted tests now include IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, OET.

  • Graduate visa (485) streamlined into 3 streams:

Post-vocational education work

Post-higher education work

Second post-higher education workAge limit raised to 35 (50 for PhDs).


Visa Application Fee Increases (Effective 1 July 2025)

Visa Type

Old Fee

New Fee

Increase

Student (Subclass 500)

$1,600

$2,000

+25%

Skilled (189/190/491)

$4,765

$4,910

+3%

Employer-Sponsored (482)

$3,115

$3,210

+3%

Partner (820/801)

$9,095

$9,365

+3%

Graduate (485)

$2,235

$2,300

+3%

Working Holiday

$650

$670

+3%

Note: New fees apply to all applications submitted on or after 1 July 2025.


New Visas & Ballot System

  • Skill in Demand (SID) Visa replaces Subclass 482:

    • Core Skills Stream (min $73,150 salary)

    • Specialist Skills Stream (min $135,000)

    • Labour Agreement Stream

  • Global Talent Visa rebranded as National Innovation Visa, targeting elite talent, researchers, and investors.

  • Visa ballot system expanded to:

    • Work & Holiday visas (now includes China, India, Vietnam)

    • MATES scheme: 3,000 temporary visas for Indian STEM graduates

    • Pacific Engagement Visa: 3,000 PR visas for Pacific nations

 

 
 
 

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