Australian immigration policy news: changes to work visas for 2025

Australia continues to adapt its immigration policies to attract skilled workers and meet labor market needs. Significant changes made in 2024 to various work visa categories will open up new opportunities for overseas workers in 2025. These changes will enable Australia to attract talent from around the world.

Let's take a look at the latest changes to the various Australian work visa categories made from 2024 to 2025:

Temporary Skills Shortage visa (subclass 482):

• In December 2024, the TSS visa was replaced by the new Skills in Demand (SID) visa, which will include three strands: special skills, core skills and key skills.
• The work experience requirement will be reduced from two years to one year, this will make the visa easier to obtain.

Employer Nominee Program Visa (ENS, subclass 186):

• SID visa holders will be able to move to permanent residence through the temporary residence transition stream after two years of employment, creating more flexibility for migrants.

Work and Holiday Visa (subclasses 417 and 462):

• UK nationals are exempt from certain requirements for second and third working holiday visas from July 2024.
• For applicants from China, India and Vietnam, a voting process has been introduced to manage demand for these visas.

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485):

• The maximum age to apply for a visa has been reduced from 50 to 35, effective from July 2024, allowing more young professionals the opportunity to work in Australia.

Other Australian work visas will also be available in 2025 for skilled workers from around the world, but no specific policy changes have been announced for 2024/2025.

• Temporary work visa (short-term specialist) (subclass 400),
• Temporary activity visa (subclass 408),
• Visa for skilled independent professionals (subclass 189),
• Visa for Nominated Professionals (subclass 190),
• Training visa (subclass 407)

All work visa categories provide international professionals with the opportunity to not only work in Australia, but also to develop their skills and have a chance to transition to permanent residency. If you're planning to apply for a visa in 2025, carefully consider the new rules and the opportunities they offer. And consider consulting with an immigration expert to make the application process easier and avoid potential mistakes.

Simplifying the process and requirements for obtaining visas will create a favorable environment for attracting talented professionals with a variety of in-demand professions, which will be an important step toward strengthening the country's economy and cultural diversity.

Follow the news on Buch-dein-Visum.de to keep up to date with all changes in visa policy and to receive up-to-date travel planning advice.