On 16 February 2025, the Albanese Government has announced significant measures to ease pressure on Australia’s housing market and ensure more homes are available for Australians. Click to learn more.
Big Changes in Housing Policy : Something You Need to Know
These changes are part of the Albanese Government’s $32 billion Homes for Australia Plan, with a focus on boosting housing supply, easing market pressure, and helping more Australians into homes.
At Ma & Company Solicitors, we’re here to help you navigate these changes and understand how they might impact you. Whether you’re buying, selling, or investing, our team is ready to provide expert legal advice.and Graduate visa requirements are being strengthened
New National Innovation Visa Announced
The Global Talent visa is closed to new applications as of 6 December 2024. The National Innovation visa has replaced the Global Talent visa. Global Talent visa applications process on-hand will be continued in accordance with processing priorities and annual migration planning levels
The Australian government announced the National Innovation Visa (NIV) in the 2024 Federal Budget and it became effective on December 6, 2024. The National Innovation Visa (NIV) replaced the Global Talent visa (Subclass 858) and the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP). For further details, please visit https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/visas-for-innovation/national-innovation-visa
On 2 October 2024, the Government announced a pre-application process (visa ballot) commenced under the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) Program.
A New Visa Pre-application (Ballot) Process on Subclass 462 for some High Demand Work and Holiday Partner Countries
Australia's ballot initiative for the Work and Holiday program for mainland China, India and Vietnam has commenced for program year 2024-25
On 20 June 2024,, The government of Australia has announced important changes to Subclass 188 visa and Student visa
Australia Migration Strategy Changes from July 2024
Closure of Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) subclass 188 visa
Temporary Graduate, Visitor and Maritime Crew visa holders unable to apply for a Student Visa onshore
As part of the Migration Strategy, AUS government announced that there will be no new allocations provided for the
Business Innovation and Investment program (BIIP) (provisional) subclass 188 visa while a new talent and innovation visa was considered. The new National Innovation visa will be available at the end of 2024 with details to be further announced.
In addition to existing visas from which it is already not possible to apply for a Student visa onshore, the complete list of visa holders that will be unable to apply for a Student visa onshore are: Subclasses 485, 600, 601, 602, 651, 771, 988, 995, 403 and 426.
On 28 May, 2024, the Department of Home Affairs updated about the increase in TSMIT. More information will be made available once determined later in 2024.
Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold Increased
From 1 July 2024, new nomination applications will need to meet the new threshold of $73,150 or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher.
On 20 March 2024,, The government of Australia has recently announced important changes to the English language requirements on Student & Temporary Graduate Visas program
New English language requirements for Student and Temporary Graduate visas
The change was announced as part of the Australian Government’s Migration Strategy and applies to all Student and Temporary Graduate visa applications on or after 23 March 2024
The minimum score required increases and the test validity window decreases. This ensures all students can transition successfully into their main course, with the appropriate level of English. For more information on changes to the requirements, please refer to official website at https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Important changes to the
Foreign Resident Capital Gains Withholding (FRCGW) tax scheme
On December 13, 2023, The Federal Government has announced several significant changes in its Mid-Year Ecnomical and Fiscal Outlook report.
FRCGW tax will increase from 12.5% to 15% with threshold drop from $750K to $0
On 11 December 2023, the Federal Government announced its Migration Strategy for the next 10 years.
Home Affairs reveals Australia's new Migration Strategy
Student and Graduate visa requirements are being strengthened
On 23 November 2023,, The government of Australia has recently announced important changes to the immigration rules on Partner Visa program
New changes announced to Australia’s Partner Visa program
There is no longer a distinction between “onshore” and “offshore” Partner Visa
applicants for the purpose of granting the visa
The new amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994 means that all Partner visa applicants can now be granted a visa regardless of whether they are inside
or outside Australia at the time of decision. The changes apply to all visas granted on or after 24 November 2023, including those lodged prior to the changes being made.
WORK WITH YOUR EMPLOYER BEYOND 6 MONTHS ON WORKING HOLIDAY VISA
The Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs has made the decision to continue the previous exemption process relating to visa condition 8547, from 1 January 2024, while consultation on the Working Holiday program settings and reform process is underway in line with the recently released Migration Strategy.
This change allows Working Holiday Makers (WHMs) to work with any one employer for the duration of their visa without requesting permission. This applies to anyone in Australia who either holds any kind of WHM visa, regardless of when they arrive, or holds a Bridging visa with condition 8547 imposed.