Australia Immigration Review 2022

The year 2022 was like a roller coaster ride for Australian immigration. The department has seen several vicissitudes. As a result, candidates who were riding with the department and looking to Migrate to Australia on PR faced plenty of hiccups during the journey. However, as it is said that all’s well that ends well, eventually, things are settled in Australia by issuing a massive 60,000+ invitations. The last year 2022 was not begun with such promising news. As Australia was fighting hard to recover from the Wuhan COVID – 19-virus pandemic. Due to that, the country has made some significant changes in immigration rules. Apart from this, several other rules were also implanted and changed by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) during the year. Here is the recap of the year 2022 for Australia immigration.

18 JANUARY 2022

New Year Begins With a Positivity

The year 2022 has started with positive news of visa extension approval for those Temporary Graduate visa holders who were affected due to the Wuhan COVID – 19 pandemic. As a result, interim measures have been taken. Despite the travel restrictions the government allowed the TRV (subclass 485) holders to remain in Australia, live and work there until they can apply for and get the Temporary Graduate Visa.​

The government recognized the value addition of the Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa holders. Because of that, the government has taken 0 charges for this visa extension. The candidates also have the privilege of an extension automatically. Candidates did not need to go or contact the department for that. Moreover, the department also allowed candidates to include their family members who were included in the original Temporary Graduate Visa application.

19 JANUARY 2022

Temporary Changes to Visa Work Conditions for Students and Working Holidaymakers

There was another important announcement has been declared by the Australian government for Students and Working Holiday Makers. The government provided an incentive to Students and Working Holiday Makers. As a humanitarian gesture, the government refunded AUD630 visa charges to all International Students and Working Holiday Makers for their visa application charge to those International Students and Working Holiday Makers. However, only those applicants were benefited who travelled to Australia between 19 January 2022 and 19 March 2022.

Moreover, to deal with the labour shortage in the critical sectors, businesses as well as other industries’ the Australian government temporarily removed the working hours’ limits for study visa holders. The particular change was implemented for the secondary study visa holders as well. The government has implemented the change with immediate effect and reviewed it in April 2022.

Especially, for the Working Holiday makers the government has also declared some relaxations for the 6 months. With the immediate effect till the end of the year 2022, working holidaymakers can work for the same employer.

08 MARCH 2022

Big Announcement for Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) Visa

One of the biggest announcements the Australian immigration department has declared. The government has approved the extension of more than 30,000 eligible Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holders until 30 September 2022. The extension had been granted to those eligible candidates who met the given below criteria on 18 February 2022.

• Those candidates who held Temporary Graduate Visa as on 15 December 2021 and have an expiry date before 30 September 2022.
• Primary visa holders who were in Australia while the visa granted
• Primary visa holders were outside of Australia between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021 (inclusive) on Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visas.
• The department has not cancelled the visa since 15 December 2021.
• Candidates had not been granted substantial visits since 15 December 2021.

The government also allowed the extension to those candidates as well, whose visa got expired between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021, then brought back into effect on 18 February 2022. Those candidates as well got an extension until 31 September 2022.

2 APRIL 2022

Australia Opens Door for Indians by Allowing Them for “Work & Holiday Visa”

This has known as one of the historical days for the Australian and Indian bilateral relationship. After a discussion of long 10+ years finally, both countries have signed the treaty of a Free Trade Agreement. According to both prime minister,s the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI ECTA) have opened the gates for both countries’ people.

One of the advantages that Indian youth have received out of this FTA is that Australia allows Indians to apply for Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462). As per the criteria, 1000 Indians who are IT, engineering, mathematics and science graduates, are allowed to apply for backpacker’s holiday visa. As per the terms and conditions of the visa every year 1000 Indian youngsters work and earn in Australia.

Read More About: Australia Opens New Opportunity “Work & Holiday Visa” For Indians

5 APRIL 2022

Skilled-Recognised Graduate (Subclass 476) Visa Holders had their Visa Extended Until 14 April 2024

As an impact of the Wuhan COVID – 19 virus pandemic, the Australian Government declared one of the satisfactory news for the Skilled-Recognised Graduate (subclass 476) visa holders. As per the update, almost 3000 international students especially engineering graduates who were Studying in Australia at that time benefited from the extension. However, there were certain criteria needed to fulfil to qualify for the stream that is discussed in the article.

21 APR 2022

Temporary Skill Shortage (Short-Term Stream) and Temporary Work (Skilled) Visa Holders’ Permanent Residence Pathways

On 21 April the DHA announced the changes in three visa subclasses. Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 visa holders, Legacy Temporary Work (Skilled) subclass 457, Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 (Short-term stream) visa holders.

• The TSS subclass 482 holders have applied their Australia PR through Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream under the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) subclass 186 visa.
• Legacy Temporary Work (Skilled) subclass 457 have got the privilege of access to an age exemption under the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) subclass 186 visa.
• As far as, the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 (Short-term stream) visa holders are concerned, the government have allowed former TSS applicant to apply for a third short-term stream.
• All the streams have been implemented from 1 July 2022.

 21 MAY 2022

Mr Anthony Albanese Elected as New Prime Minister of Australia

After a long wait of 9 years, the Labor Party government came into power and Mr Anthony Albanese was elected as a new Prime Minister of Australia. During the election campaign and in regular speeches the new PM continuously talked about immigration and its reforms. Today when he is in the driving seat, we have seen several significant changes in the immigration pathway in Australia. The historical draws are one of the signs of the changes. Find more about the immigration point of view of Mr Albanese.

Must Read About: Mr. Anthony Albanese Thinks About Australia Immigration?

31 MAY 2022

Western Australia has Made Significant Changes for the Year 2022-23

Western Australia state has made remarkable changes for the year 2022 – 2023. According to the changes overseas applicants are also considered for Western Australia (WA) State nomination. As per the changes, more than 300 occupations become available to the Graduate Stream. The updated list is available at the WA’s Skilled Migration Occupation List – schedules 1 and 2 and the Graduate Occupation List.    The change has impacted the state nomination draw of the state. In November month the state declared one of the biggest draws for the year and invited around 4500 candidates (Read More).

05 JULY 2022

The New Immigration Year 2022–2023 has Begun

As the new immigration year has started, which was supposed to bring remarkable changes. As per the announcement have been declared by Ex-PM Mr Scott Morrison’s government, the changes in three visa types (Temporary Skill Shortage Visas, Temporary Graduate Visas and Working Holiday Maker) visas were about to declare. For instance,

• Temporary Skill Shortage Visas – Temporary skill shortage (TSS) subclass 482 visa holders were allowed to apply for Australian Permanent Residency.
• Temporary Graduate Visas – 485 Subclass Temporary Graduate Visa holders were allowed to apply for a Replacement Temporary Graduate Visa.
• Working Holiday Maker Visas – To fulfil the labour market shortage in the Australian labour market the government increased the cap by 30 per cent. As a result, countries like Mongolia and Brazil were added to the visa subclass list. Whereas, a cap of 1400 places was increased for countries like Hungary, Austria, and the Slovak Republic.

 19 JULY 2022

Tasmania Skilled Migration Updated for the Year 2022-23

Tasmania state has updated the requirement and process for the Skilled Migration Program for the year 2022 – 2023. The announcement added most of the class of immigrants and included, International Graduates, Skilled Employees, Business Operators, Long-Term Residents and Overseas Candidates. Read more about the change.

Check the Update About TSMP for 2022-2023

16 August 2022

A series of Significant Updates Came from Australia

On 16 August 2022, a series of significant updates came from the Australian study visa and Australian Permanent Residency.  Here is the list of the updates

• Victoria’s skilled migration program is now open.
• Tasmania has also given skilled migration program updates,
• New South Wales has published the latest eligibility criteria.
• Queensland has declared its program relevant updates.
• ACT has also declared its latest invitation round.
• And last but not least, the validity of the NAATI test result is now increased by up to five years.

 29 AUGUST 2022

Latest Occupation List 2022-2023 Published by South Australia

On 17 August the state authorities of South Australia received approval from the DHA for the interim nomination allocation. As a result, to manage the skill shortage, South Australia opens its General Skilled Migration (GSM) program for the year 2022-2023. As per the list, more than 500 skilled occupations have been added to the list. Here is the category-wise segregation

Check the Details: Find the latest South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List

 2 SEPTEMBER 2022

Announcement of the Year

One of the most satisfactory news of the year has been declared on this day. The news has brought a smile to the faces of many immigrants who would like to migrate to Australia. The Australian Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil has announced that the government has increased the permanent residency migrant ceiling by 35,000. As a result, the migrant ceiling for the year 2022 – 2023 has reached 195,000. Most importantly, previously the government declared a ceiling of 160,000 immigrants but understanding the labour shortage in the Australian market and the demand for new immigrants the authorities have decided to increase the ceiling by 35000.

Read in detail about the announcement.

 23 NOVEMBER 2022

Australian & New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (Anzco-2022) Update

ANZCO code is a crucial element of Australian immigration. As various industries emerge in the Australian market, it is also generated a range of jobs in the market. To balance the changing scenario of the job market, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), suggested changes in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). Here are the suggested changes in the occupations.

• Some Occupation Changes
• Unit Group Changes and
• Minor Group Changes

The listed below combinations have been changed.

• Alternative title(s) revised
• Category added
• Category deleted and code retired,
• Category title revised,
• Lead statement revised,
• The NEC occupation list revised, and
• Specialisation(s) revised

Check the Latest Update of ANZCO – 2022

 26 DECEMBER 2023

DHA Global Visa Process Time Update

As per the recent change here is the list of the latest update. Find the latest DHA Global Visa Process Time Guide

Invitation Rounds​​​​​​​​ – 2022

Here is the update for the year 2022 invitation rounds.

Invitations Issued on 8 December 2022

Invitation Process and Cut-Off 8 December 2022

Invitations Issued on 6 October 2022

Invitation Process and Cut-Off of 6 October 2022

Invitations Issued on 22 August 2022

 Invitation Process and Cut-Off Of 22 August 2022