On April 27, 2023, the Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon. Clare O’Neil MP, announced an increase in the Temporary Skilled Income Threshold (TSMIT) and expanded pathways to permanent residence for employer-sponsored temporary skilled visa holders. Additional information has been shared.
Raising the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold
- From July 1, 2023, the TSMIT will increase from $53,900 to $70,000.
- New nomination applications after this date will need to meet the new TSMIT of $70,000 or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher.
- This change will not affect existing visa holders and approved nominations lodged before 1 July 2023.
Expanded pathways to permanent residence
- By the end of 2023, the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa will be available. This stream is for all Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa holders whose employers wish to sponsor them.
- Applicants must continue to work in the occupation nominated for their TSS visa(s). However, occupations will not be limited to the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
- Home Affairs will reduce eligibility for the TRT stream from three to two years of employment with the sponsoring employer. Applicants will need to meet all other nomination and visa requirements for the TRT stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme visa.
- To facilitate these pathways, the Government is also removing limits on the number of Short-term stream TSS visa applications that visa holders can make in Australia. This interim measure assists those currently onshore who would normally need to go offshore to make further visa applications.
Erickson Insights
The Australian Government will make more information available on these measures closer to their implementation date. Updates will be published on the Department of Home Affairs website. Erickson Immigration Group will continue to share updates as more news is available. If you have questions about anything we’re reporting or case-specific questions, please contact your employer or EIG attorney.
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