URGENT UPDATE: The Migration Amendment Bill 2024 has been postponed to next year

The Australian Senate has postponed passing the Migration Amendment (Strengthening Sponsorship and Nomination Processes) Bill 2024, which introduces the much-anticipated Skills in Demand (SID) visa, to next year. Despite the government’s intentions to implement this visa program by the end of 2024, a packed legislative agenda prevented the bill’s approval during Parliament's final sitting week.

The Skills in Demand visa is a key aspect of the Governments Strategy released in December 2023. It was due to replace the current TSS (subclass 482) visa.

Key Developments

• On 28 November 2024, Parliament held its last scheduled meeting for the year. Of the 36 bills on the agenda, only 31 were decided, leaving the Skills in Demand visa legislation unresolved.?
• The introduction of the Skills in Demand visa and the National Innovation visa—both pivotal elements of the government’s migration strategy are now likely deferred through to 2025.
• The Core Skilled Occupation List (CSOL), detailing occupations eligible for the Skills in Demand visa, also remains unpublished. Its release is contingent upon the bill’s passage through Parliament.

Impact of the Delay

• The Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) remains in effect, requiring a minimum of two years of work experience for eligibility.
• Employers currently seeking skilled workers will need to reply on existing visa programs.

Our industry association, the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA), is in communication with the Department of Home Affairs to confirm whether the delay will affect the implementation timeline for the Skills in Demand visa, originally expected before the end of 2024. Once the MIA provides clarification, we will update our clients accordingly.

Parliament is scheduled to reconvene for two weeks in February 2025, ahead of a national election likely to occur in May 2025. If the legislation is not passed during this February sitting, it raises uncertainty about whether the government will implement these migration changes so close to the election period.

We will continue to monitor developments and keep you informed as more information becomes available.

How We Can Help

At First Class Migration Australia, we understand that navigating these changes can be overwhelming. Our team of highly experienced migration agents are here to guide you through the evolving migration policies, offering personalised advice to maximize your chances of successful migration. We stay up to date with the latest developments and provide timely advice to ensure you make informed decisions.

Contact Us

If you have any questions on the above article please do not hesitate to contact us.

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