To qualify for Australia's Skilled Migration Program, applicants are assessed through a points system that considers key factors such as age, language skills, work experience, and educational background. At the heart of this process are the occupation lists, which highlight the professions currently in high demand across the country.

The Australian government has announced the nomination allocations for the 2024-2025 Permanent Migration Program. With 16,500 places allocated for the 190 visas and 9,760 for the 491 visas, this year's program outlines the pathways for those looking to make Australia their new home.

Previously, only holders of a Subclass 482 visa in the Medium-term stream had access to permanent residency through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) streams of the Subclass 186 and Subclass 187 visas. However, with the new regulations, all 482 and 457 visa holders, regardless of their stream, will now be eligible for permanent residency through the TRT stream.

In a significant political development, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced his first cabinet reshuffle since taking office. This move comes after the retirement of two prominent cabinet ministers, Linda Burney and Brendan O'Connor, prompting substantial changes in key portfolios.

After successful negotiations with the Commonwealth Government's Department of Home Affairs, Western Australia will receive 5,000 state-nominated migration spots for the 2024-25 program year.

Despite the Albanese government's recent overhaul of the immigration system, which will see nearly 10,000 additional skilled workers nationwide, Queensland is set to experience a reduction in its allocated number of skilled migrants for the 2024-2025 financial year.

The Cook and Albanese Labor Governments have announced a groundbreaking agreement to tackle Western Australia's labor shortages and stimulate residential construction. This deal, which secures 10,000 skilled migration places for the 2024-25 period, is set to bolster the state’s workforce and address critical skill gaps across various industries.

Starting July 1, 2024, the Australian Government implemented substantial changes to its immigration policies, impacting various visa programs and conditions. Key areas affected include business sponsorships, skilled migration, and temporary visa holders. These policy shifts aim to streamline processes, attract highly skilled individuals, and ensure Australia remains a competitive destination for global talent.

Beginning on July 1, 2024, the Australian Government will implement substantial changes to visa conditions 8107, 8607, and 8608 under its Migration Strategy. These reforms aim to tackle worker exploitation and boost productivity by enhancing labor market mobility for temporary migrants.

The Australian Government is taking significant steps to end 'visa hopping' as part of its comprehensive Migration Strategy. This initiative aims to close loopholes that have allowed students and other temporary visa holders to extend their stay in Australia indefinitely.

GSM Visa Points Test Revamp

The federal government has announced plans to revise the points-based assessment for skilled migrants, which determines eligibility for entry into Australia, following a decision to reduce overall immigration levels.

This year's Permanent Migration Program is set at 185,000 places, with a notable shift in focus from the Subclass 189 visa to the Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 visas, indicating a strategic pivot to state and regional sponsorships.

• Biggest updates from the 2024 Federal Budget

• Working Holiday Visa lottery

• 482 visa employment requirement changes

The points test system for potential migrants seeking skilled visas to Australia is scheduled to undergo its first significant update in over ten years as part of a broader reform of the country's immigration system.

Currently, CSOL is still under review and a scoring system guide will decide on the occupations that shall be included or excluded from the list. To give you a clear picture of the current draft, we sorted out the occupations that will surely be on the list, occupations that will be off the list, and occupations under consultation.

For this year's allocation, the Department of Home Affairs has reserved 30,375 positions for the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189). As of December 18, 2023, 8,300 invitations have been granted for the 189 visas. Furthermore, 79 invitations were extended for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491) under the Family-sponsored stream. Consistent with recent patterns, the Department has also invited applicants from the health and education sectors this round.