Australia | Immigration | Visa applicant charge increases and other changes from 1 July 2024

Immigration

Australia | Visa applicant charge increases and other changes from 1 July 2024

Summary

From 1 July 2024, Visa Application Charges for Australian visas have been increased to align with the forecast Consumer Price Index. Other measures introduced from 1 July include:

• An increase to the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold to $73,150;
• Amendments to visa conditions to provide additional time for Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482), Temporary Work (subclass 457) and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) visa holders who have ceased employment with their sponsoring employer to find a new sponsor, apply for a different visa or depart Australia;
• Enhanced migrant worker protection measures;
• New restrictions on certain temporary visa holders to prevent onshore lodgement of Student visa applications;
• Extension of Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa arrangements for Republic of Philippines passport holders; and
• Concessions for UK citizens to apply for a second or third Working Holiday visa without needing to do a period of specified (regional) work.

The detail

Visa Application Charges have been increased with effect from 1 July 2024, with charges indexed in accordance with the forecast Consumer Price Index and rounded to the nearest $5. The notable exception to this is the Student (Subclass 500) visa which was subject to a one-off percentage increase, rather than indexation, in accordance with the 2024-25 Budget Decision Visa Application Charge Uplift. This has resulted in a substantial increase to the Student (Subclass 500) visa charge from $710 for a primary applicant, to $1,600.

Please see below for a summary of new Visa Application Charge for key employer sponsored visas:

Visa Subclass	Old Fee (AUD)	New Fee from 1 July (AUD)
400 – Short Stay Specialist	$405 (primary) $405 (adult dependent) $105 (child)	$415 $415 $105
407 – Training	$405 (primary) $405 (adult dependent) $105 (child)	$415 $415 $105
482 – Temporary Skill Shortage Short term stream	$1,455 (primary) $1,455 (adult dependent) $365 (child)	$1,495 $1,495 $375
482 – Temporary Skill Shortage Medium term stream	$3,035 (primary) $3,035 (adult dependent) $760 (child)	$3,115 $3,115 $780
186 – Employer Nomination Scheme	$4,640 (primary) $2,320 (adult dependent) $1,160 (child)	$4,770 $2,385 $1,190

Summary of other key amendments from 1 July

• Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold has been increased from $70,000 to $73,150. This impacts all nominations and visas lodged on or after 1 July 2024
• Visa conditions 8107, 8607 and 8608 have been amended to provide additional time for Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482), Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) and Temporary Work (Skilled) (subclass 457) visa holders who have ceased employment with their sponsoring employer to find a new sponsor, apply for a different visa or depart Australia. From 1 July 2024 such visa holders will have up to 180 days at a time or a maximum of 365 days in total across the entire visa grant period;
• Enhanced worker protection measures, including significantly increased criminal and civil penalties;
• Holders of the following temporary visas are prevented from applying for a subclass 500 Student visa whilst onshore in Australia: Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate); Subclass 600 (Visitor); Subclass 601 (Electronic Travel Authority); Subclass 602 (Medical Treatment); Subclass 651 (eVisitor) and  Subclass 988 (Maritime Crew);
• Republic of Philippines passport holders aged under 30 are eligible to apply for a Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa where they hold a tertiary qualification or have completed at least 2 years of undergraduate study or post secondary education; and
• UK citizens can apply for a second or third Working Holiday visa without needing to meet the specified work requirements. This means that UK citizens are able to remain in Australia for up to three years on a Working Holiday visa (renewed annually).

Contact us

For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:

Stacey Tsui
Partner & Principal Solicitor

Cherie Wright
Partner & Principal Solicitor

Fariha Islam

John O’Brien
Director

Arathi Tekkam
Director

Further information on Vialto Partners can be found here: www.vialtopartners.com

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Vialto Partners (“Vialto”) refers to wholly owned subsidiaries of CD&R Galaxy UK OpCo Limited as well as the other members of the Vialto Partners global network. The information contained in this document is for general guidance on matters of interest only. Vialto is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All information is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event will Vialto, its related entities, or the agents or employees thereof be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information in this document or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

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Further information on Vialto Partners can be found here: www.vialtopartners.com

Vialto Partners (“Vialto”) refers to wholly owned subsidiaries of CD&R Galaxy UK OpCo Limited as well as the other members of the Vialto Partners global network. The information contained in this document is for general guidance on matters of interest only. Vialto is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All information is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event will Vialto, its related entities, or the agents or employees thereof be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information in this document or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

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