Updates – 1 June 2023

Increase in the Temporary Skilled Income Threshold (TSMIT) to $70,000 and expanded pathways to permanent residence

From 1 July 2023, the TSMIT will increase from $53,900 to $70,000. New nomination applications from​ this date will need to meet the new TSMIT of $70,000 or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher.

This change will not affect existing visa holders and nominations lodged before 1 July 2023.

Expanded pathways to permanent residence

By the end of 2023, the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa will be available​ for all Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa holders whose employers wish to sponsor them.

Applicants will need to continue to work in the occupation nominated for their TSS visa(s). However, occupations will not be limited to the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). The department will reduce eligibility for the TRT stream from three years to two years employment with the sponsoring employer.

The Government is also removing limits on the number of Short-term stream TSS visa applications that visa holders can make in Australia. This is an interim measure to assist those currently onshore who would normally need to go offshore to make further visa applications.

Employer Sponsored Visas

Australia has been easing the conditions of their visa programs to help attract skilled workers from overseas. Like many developed countries globally, Australia is facing a shortage of skilled migrants to fill workplace demands.

The last latest announcement by the Australian Government indicated that the permanent migration cap has been lifted to 195,000 with a large percentage of that figure to be allocated to skilled workers.

Several visas under the work visa category may be eligible for permanent residency pathways if the eligibility criteria are met.

There are several visa options that allow businesses to sponsor overseas workers to work in Australia. They are:

Temporary Skilled Shortage (TSS) Sponsorship (Subclass 482)

The Subclass 482 TSS visa has replaced the 457 visa, and allows businesses based either in Australia or overseas to sponsor workers for a temporary visa lasting up to 4 years. Only certain occupations are eligible for TSS visas, and employees must be paid at the market rate.

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) （Subclass 186）

The Employer Nomination Scheme is a permanent visa and requires the nominating employer to be operating in Australia. The employee needs to show a higher level of skill and English Language ability than for a TSS visa, but otherwise the criteria are broadly similar to the TSS visa.

Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (Subclass 187)

The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa is a permanent visa and requires the nominating employer to be operating in Regional Australia. The employee needs to show a higher level of skill than for a TSS visa, but otherwise the criteria are broadly similar to the 186 visa.

Regional Employer Sponsored (Provisional) (Subclass 494)

The Subclass 494 visa allows businesses in regional Australia to sponsor workers from a wider occupation list, with a pathway to permanent residency that is not reliant on ongoing sponsorship.

Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (Subclass 191)

The Permanent Residence is visa allows people who have lived and worked in designated regional areas of Australia on an eligible visa (494/491 visa holders), live and work in Australia permanently.