Australia Immigration Update: Delays in the Launch of the New Skills in Demand and National Innovation Visa

December 1, 2024

Here is an update on the two new visa programs the Federal Government was planning to introduce before the end of 2024: the Skills in Demand Visa (replacing the Temporary Skilled Shortage visa) and the National Innovation Visa (replacing the Global Talent Visa). However, during the final sitting week of 2024, the Senate failed to pass the relevant bill, causing a delay in the introduction of these visas. The current Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa will remain in place for now. Employers seeking to sponsor skilled workers in the coming quarter will need to rely on existing visa programs.

Additionally, the legislative instruments aimed at reducing the work experience requirement for the TSS visa from two years to one year have not yet been introduced, meaning the two-year work experience requirement remains in effect for the time being.

The next Senate sitting is scheduled for February 2025, and it is likely that the Skills in Demand Visa and the National Innovation Visa will not be released for at least a few more months. With a Federal election set for early 2025, the timeframes for passing and implementing the new visas remain uncertain.

We will keep a close watch on any developments and provide further updates as the changes unfold in the new year.

Source: Gilton Valeo Lawyers