Latest:
- Upcoming immigration changes 2022
- PR for STSOL visa holders in health and hospitality
- Australian borders opening for workers, students and graduates from 1 Dec 2021
- Queensland 190 visa now open
- 188 Business Visa QLD Requirements
- Travel exemption applications now open for parents of Australians
- Agriculture Visa – New Subclass 403 Stream
- Upcoming immigration changes from July 2021
- Australia Skilled Migration Update as of 01 July 2021
- Visa Application Fee increases from July 2021
- Canberra Matrix Calculator 2021
- NSW Skilled Migration Nomination Requirements 2021-2022 (190 visa)
- South Australia Skilled Migration Program 2021-2022 – 190 and 491 visa
- Skills Priority List (SPL)
- Victoria Skilled Migration Nomination Requirements 2021 – 2022 (190 and 491 visa)
- Small Business Owner Comparison – 491 visa
- Tasmania Small Business Owner Stream – 491 visa
- Western Australia 190 visa requirements
- Northern Territory 190 visa requirements
2020 has been an unprecedented year due to the impact of COVID-19. Many changes occurred in Australian Immigration, from lockdown to border closure and travel ban. Now that we are in 2021, here is a summary of the immigration changes expected to be in place.
Are you prepared for the Australian Immigration changes in 2021? Let’s take a look at what is planned for in Australian Immigration.
Migration Program Levels
The migration program level would remain at 160,000 for the 2020-21 program year. Whilst the quota remained the same, the distribution of the quota will change. The family stream will increase from 47,732 places to 77,300. To ensure that Australia recruits talented individuals to help with the economic recovery, Employer-Sponsored, Global Talent, Business Innovation and Investment Program visas will be given priority. Onshore visa applicants and partner visa applicants in regional areas will also be prioritised. This is to encourage migration to regional areas of Australia.
Related:
- Global Talent, Family, Employer, Business Visas Prioritised Within 160,000 Places
- Federal Budget Announcement 2022 – 2023 update on Australia’s immigration program
Business, Investment and Innovation Program
The 2020-21 migration program aims to support the economic recovery post-COVID-19. For this reason, places for the business, investment and innovation program has increased to 13,500. The government will be streamlining and improving the operation of the Business Innovation and Investment Program from 1 July 2021. The visa application charges will also increase by 11.3% from 1 July 2021.
One of the main changes is that the requirements for Business Innovation visa holders will be increased to ensure the program is attracting migrants with proven business skills. Business Innovation visa holders will be required to hold business and personal assets of $1.25 million (up from $800,000) and have an annual turnover of $750,000 (up from $500,000) to prove their business acumen.
- COVID-19 Concessions for Business visas
- Upcoming Australia Immigration Changes 2021- Business and Investment Visas
- Victoria’s Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) opens on 4 January 2021
Global Talent Independent program
A Global Business and Talent Attraction Taskforce will be established. The purpose of the task force is to attract international businesses and outstanding talents to Australia to help with the post-COVID-19 economy recovery. It builds on the existing Global Talent Initiative and Business Innovation and Investment Program.
It is expected that the GTI program will be tripled to 15,000.
Related:
Subclass 485
The Department of Home Affairs has announced a new initiative for an additional Temporary Graduate visa with an extra one or two year of post-study work rights for international students who:
- graduate from the regional campus of a registered university or institution with a higher education or postgraduate qualification; and
- maintain ongoing residence in a regional area while holding their first Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa
The second Temporary Graduate visa will require ongoing residence in a regional area.
The definition of regional Australia for this purpose will be the same as the definition for skilled migration – all of Australia excluding Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
In order to be eligible for this visa extension, students need to have graduated from a regional institution, and resided (including all work and study) for at least two years in a regional area immediately before applying for their second 485 visa. The second Temporary Graduate visa is also available to current post-study 485 visa holders who graduated from a regional institution, and who will have resided (including all work and study) for at least two years in a regional area immediately before applying for their second 485 visa. Visa application fee is $650 main applicant, $325 for spouse or partner and $165 for children under 18. Applications can be made from 21 Jan 2021 onwards.
International graduates who have studied and lived in Category 2 will be eligible for an additional 1 year on a second Temporary Graduate visa.
International graduates who have studied and lived in Category 3 will be eligible for an additional 2 years on a second Temporary Graduate visa.
International graduates who have studied and lived in Category 3 will be eligible for an additional 2 years on a second Temporary Graduate visa.
Bachelor degree (including Honours): 2 + 1 year (for cities and major regional centres) or + 2 years for regional centres and other regional areas)
Masters by coursework: 2 + 1 year (for cities and major regional centres) or + 2 years for regional centres and other regional areas)
Masters by research: 3 + 1 year (for cities and major regional centres) or + 2 years for regional centres and other regional areas)
Doctoral degree: 4 + 1 year (for cities and major regional centres) or + 2 years for regional centres and other regional areas)
| Definition | Locations | Regional incentives |
| Major Cities | Sydney, Melbourne
Brisbane |
NA |
| Cities and major regional centres | Perth, Adelaide
Gold Coast Sunshine Coast, Canberra Newcastle/Lake Macquarie Wollongong/Illawarra Geelong Hobart |
Access to the dedicated 25,000 regional places.
Priority processing on regional visas. Access to the Regional Occupations List – more jobs compared to non-regional lists. International students studying at regional universities will be eligible to access an additional 1 year in Australia on a post-study work visa. |
| Regional centres and other regional areas | All other locations | Access to the dedicated 25,000 regional places.
Priority processing on regional visas. Access to the Regional Occupations List – more jobs compared to non-regional lists. International students studying at regional universities will be eligible to access an additional 2 years in Australia on a post-study work visa. Priority in negotiating region-specific Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs). |
Related:
Family stream program and visas
New changes have been introduced to partner visas. The government has allocated 77,300 places for family visas.
Related:
Partner Visas
Based on the budget, we will be seeing new changes to partner visa applications. One of the most significant changes to the partner visa is the English requirement. Applicants and sponsor will be required to pass the English language requirement. The aim of the test is to promote social cohesion and economic participation.
- The language requirement will NOT be in place for subclass 300 Prospective Marriage visa, Subclass 309 Partner (Provisional- offshore) visa and Subclass 820 Partner (Provisional-onshore) It is only a requirement for the permanent subclass 801 or subclass 100 stage.
- If you are on the provisional partner visa, you may have to sit the English language test. Whilst the difficulty of the test is not yet determined, it will likely be a basic English test, and the applicant has to show functional English.
- An alternative to the English language test is that the applicant undertakes about 500 hours of English language classes through the Adult Migration English Program (AMEP).
- Permanent resident sponsors will be required to show the same level of English language proficiency as the visa applicant.
It is likely these changes will come into effect from 1 July 2021.
Related:
General Skilled Visas
The overall points to receive an invitation has also dropped dramatically in the last few months. The results for the October 2021 invitation round are as follows:
Subclass 189 – The lowest score to receive an invitation was 65 points. This is a dramatic drop from the previous months, where the lowest score to receive an invitation range between 90 -110. 65 points is the lowest for the whole year however this may happen if you have an occupation on the PMSOL.
Subclass 491 – 65 points remained to be the lowest score to receive an invitation for a subclass 491 visa. The 65 points includes the extra 15 points awarded to subclass 491 visa.
Whilst there is a drop in points to receive an invitation, many people who received the invitations are in targeted sectors. This is in line with the government aims to attract migrants to help with post-COVID-19 recovery.
For many months there are no information on pro-rata occupations. The minimum points score has been N/A. It is likely that no invitations were issued for these occupations during these periods.
We expect this trend to continue through to 2021, with people in the targeted sectors receiving priority over other sectors.
Related:
- Victoria’s skilled visa nomination program (subclass 190 and 491) reopens on 5 January 2021
- NSW Skilled Occupation Lists for 190 and 491 visa
- COVID-19 Concessions for Skilled Regional 887 visa
- State requirements for 491 visa
- State requirements for 190 visa
- 491 visa– Queensland Small Business Owners Pathway
Employer – Sponsored Visas Concessions
Transitional arrangement for COVID-19 affected Subclass 457/482 holder
To be eligible for a subclass 186 TRT visa you must hold a subclass 457/482 and have worked for your employer for at least three years full time. However, due to COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses are adversely affected. As a result, during the pandemic, workers’ hours are reduced or been asked to take unpaid leave.
In light of the above, the government has introduced laws that allow subclass 457/482 visa holders to apply for the subclass 186 TRT despite not working full- time during the concession period. This is aligned with when the pandemic outbreak began. The start date of the concession period is 1 February 2020.
Higher Income Threshold and Age exemptions
If the age exemption applies to you on the basis that you are earning at the Fair Work High Income Threshold (currently $158,500) to meet the 186 visa requirements, you will continue to be eligible for the age exemption even if your earnings have dropped due to COVID-19. The Department may apply the pro-rata income threshold.
This amendment is applicable to all applications made on or after 1 February 2020 and before 24 November 2020 and not yet decided, or applications made on or after 24 November 2020.
Related:
Skilled Migration Occupation Lists Review
The changes to MLTSSL/STSOL occupations are delayed until further notice. DHA have confirmed these changes will not take place until improvement in the COVID effected employment market. This is currently planned for March 2021 and maybe delayed further beyond the 2020-2021 financial year.
Related:
Student Visas
Onshore Student Visas
The number of subclass 500 visa applications lodged by onshore applicants has declined since the outbreak. However, the decline is not drastic as applicants are already onshore, and the border closure would have a lesser impact than offshore applicants. Some onshore applicants may also re-apply for a student visa to extend their stay in Australia as they cannot travel back home. Overall, the reduction in subclass 500 applications for onshore applicants is relatively minimal compared to offshore applicants.
Offshore Student Visas
Statistics from the Department of Home Affairs indicate the rapid decline of subclass 500 visa applications lodged by offshore applicants. This is understandable because the closure of borders has a significant impact on the applicant’s ability to travel to Australia. In most months since April 2020, the decline in the number of applications lodged has been more than 50% compared to the previous year.
To combat the negative impact of COVID-19 on the education sector, the government has put in place measures to support the education industry. Some of the support measures include:
- Waiving student visa fees to allow students to lodge a further student visa application to complete their studies.
- Students who undertook studies online due to COVID-19 will still be able to apply for a Subclass 485.
Although some students may decide to enrol to study online, the impact of COVID-19 on the education sector will last over some time. Until travel restrictions are removed, many students will be impacted.
Related:
Australian Borders Opening
Australia’s international borders will open in November 2021, with the Federal Government announcing the ban on international travel will be lifted next month, allowing fully vaccinated Australians to return home. Fully vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents will be able to undergo quarantine at home for 7 days, while unvaccinated Australians will still be required to undergo quarantine at hotels or dedicated facilities for 14 days. The exact timing will vary from state to state, but New South Wales is expected to be the first to welcome back international travellers.
The key reason for this plan is to bring back international students who are stranded overseas. Continuous delay in bringing in students would affect universities drastically (even with the recent changes to support international students). The international education industry is the fourth-largest industry in Australia. Students bring approximately $39 billion into the Australian economy.
If the government are opening borders in 2021, it could also mean that overseas processing of permanent resident applications may resume.
Afghani Refugees – 3000 places announced
Minister Hawke announced today that 3000 places will be allocated for Afghani refugees.
The media announcement is available here.
Australians Travelling to New Zealand
Australians will be able to travel to New Zealand without having to quarantine again soon.
Related:
- Section 48 Barred and New Zealand Travel Bubble
- New travel exemption added for Australians leaving Australia
- Australian borders likely to open in beginning of 2022
- Australia’s four-phase plan to open its border
- Travelling outside Australia during COVID-19 for dual citizens
- COVID-19 Concessions for 189 New Zealand Stream visa
COVID- 19 Concessions to remain in place
The concessions that were introduced in 2020 are expected to remain in place. Read on the latest COVID-19 Concessions here.
Related:
- Immigration News Australia
- Possible changes to the Australian Migration program- Employer Sponsored, GTI, Skilled and Business visas
- Upcoming Australia Immigration Changes 2021- Business and Investment Visas
- Upcoming New Zealand Immigration Changes 2021
- Maintaining your permanent residency in Australia & COVID-19
- Exemptions to Citizenship Residence Requirement and COVID-19 crisis
- Top occupations for Permanent residency in 2019-20 Migration Program
Temporary humanitarian stay (Sc 449) for Iranians
Australian Visa Changes from 1 July 2026: Higher Fees, New Income Thresholds and Working Holiday Updates
Federal Budget 2026–27: Key Migration and Visa Changes for Australia
Skilled Partner Points and Changes in Marital Status for Subclass 190 Visa Applicants
Partner Visa Processing Update (April 2026): What Applicants Must Know
Iranian visa holders temporarily barred from travelling to Australia from 26 March