Australia immigration rule changes

Australia Visa 858: National Innovation Visa: A lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid subclass 858 application.

Australia Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (Subclass 482): Visa application charges for subclass 482 increased across all three streams; the base applicant charge rose from AUD $3,210 to AUD $4,015 (the same charge applies to an accompanying partner/adult dependant; AUD $1,005 for a child).

Australia Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (Subclass 482): The Skills in Demand (SID) visa (subclass 482) replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, introducing three streams (Specialist Skills, Core Skills, Labour Agreement) with restructured income thresholds and a shortened 2-year pathway to permanent residency.

Australia Visa 858: National Innovation Visa: Subclass 858 became the National Innovation (Class BX) visa. The Migration Amendment (National Innovation Visa) Regulations 2024 commenced on 6 December 2024 and apply to visa applications made on or after that date. They renamed Part 858 of Schedule 2 and added a requirement that the applicant was invited in writing by the Minister, and that the area of achievement is the one stated in the invitation. The current text of the criteria is in the Migration Regulations 1994 (Schedule 1 item 1113 and Schedule 2 Part 858, compilation of 1 July 2026); the amending instrument has itself since been repealed as spent.

Australia Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 188): Business Innovation and Investment Program closed to new applications. Existing in-pipeline cases continue to be processed. Successor visa pathway announced Dec 2024.

Australia Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): Visa application charge increased to AUD 4,640 for primary applicants (same fee schedule as Subclass 189). Several states refreshed their nominated occupation lists and introduced stronger evidentiary requirements around genuine commitment to the state.

Australia Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): Visa application charge (VAC) increased to AUD 4,640 for primary applicants. DHA also updated the MLTSSL, removing some over-supplied occupations and adding several healthcare roles.

Australia Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417): Age limit for Working Holiday visa (417) extended to 35 years for nationals of UK, Ireland, Canada, France, and Italy. Previously 30 for all eligible nationalities.

Australia Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417): Third-year Working Holiday visa now available to those who complete 179 days of specified regional work across the first two years. Previously only two years of 417 were possible for most applicants.