Migration Update: Introduction of the Skills in Demand (SID) Visa

The Migration Amendment (2024 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2024, taking effect on December 7, 2024, marks a major shift in Australia’s skilled migration framework. Central to this reform is the replacement of the Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa with the Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) visa, reflecting the Government’s commitment to addressing workforce shortages and boosting economic resilience.

Highlights of the Skills in Demand (SID) Visa:

New Streams Introduced:

Specialist Skills Stream: Targeted at high-income earners (earning $135,000+ annually) in key industries.
Core Skills Stream: Focused on occupations identified as critical by Jobs and Skills Australia.
Labour Agreement Stream: For roles governed by employer-specific agreements.
Reduced Work Experience Requirement:

Applicants now need only one year of work experience in the past five years, a reduction from the previous two-year requirement.

Pathway to Permanent Residency:

Time spent working under the SID visa can count towards eligibility for permanent residency through the Subclass 186 visa’s Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream.

Benefits for Employers and Workers:

Employers can now tap into a more targeted occupation list to meet labor market demands, while visa holders gain more flexibility to switch employers under this new system.

Broader Objectives:

These updates align with the Government’s strategy to attract skilled talent in critical sectors such as healthcare, construction, education, and cybersecurity. The SID visa aims to streamline the migration process, ensuring Australia remains a competitive destination for global talent.

This reform demonstrates Australia’s commitment to evolving its migration policies to better serve the nation’s economic and workforce priorities.

Sources:

https://migrationalliance.com.au/images/easyblog_images/5725/Migration-Amendment-2024-Measures-No.-1-Regulations-2024.pdf

https://migrationalliance.com.au/images/easyblog_images/5725/Migration-Amendment-2024-Measures-No.-1-Regulations-2024-explanatory-statement.pdf