Planning to work in Australia or hire talent from overseas? The new Skills in Demand visa programme for 2024 could be your ticket to success.
The recent changes to Australia’s skilled migration system can be challenging to understand. A new framework now offers three different pathways that come with specific requirements and benefits for employers and skilled workers alike.
Let me walk you through everything about the skills in demand visa requirements. You’ll discover the eligibility criteria, income thresholds, and employer sponsorship obligations. We’ll examine each pathway option and help you find the perfect route that matches your needs.
Understanding the Skills in Demand Visa Framework
Australia has rolled out major changes to its skilled migration programme by introducing the new skills in demand visa framework. This visa takes the place of the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa and became active on December 7, 2024.
Key differences from previous visa programs
The new framework delivers these improvements:
- Work experience requirement dropped from two years to one year
- Job-search period between employers extended to 180 days
- Processing times optimized with 7-day service for specialist skills
- Every stream now leads to permanent residency
Three pathway options explained
The skills in demand visa framework features three unique streams that match different skill levels and salary requirements:
- Specialist Skills Pathway: High-income professionals who earn at least AUD 206,413.68 annually can use this pathway. They get fast-track processing within 7 days. Trades workers, machinery operators, and labourers are not eligible.
- Core Skills Pathway: Skilled workers in high-demand jobs listed on the Core Skills Occupation List can apply here. The minimum annual salary requirement is AUD 111,845.64.
- Essential Skills Pathway: This pathway runs through the Labour Agreement stream while development continues. It focuses on vital sectors like aged care and disability services.
Timeline and implementation dates
The framework launched on December 7, 2024. The government boosted the planning level for employer-sponsored visas to 44,000 for 2024–25. Salary thresholds will be adjusted each July through annual indexation. This ensures the framework adapts to economic changes.
Eligibility Requirements and Income Thresholds
Your chosen pathway and occupation will determine if you qualify for the skills in demand visa. Let’s look at what you need to qualify.
Work experience requirements
The visa has become easier to get with reduced work experience needs. You just need one year of full-time equivalent work experience from the last five years. Early-career professionals can now access this visa more easily.
Salary thresholds for each pathway
Your pathway options depend on how much you earn each year.
Pathway | Minimum Annual Salary |
Specialist Skills | AUD 206,413.68 |
Core Skills | AUD 111,845.64 |
Essential Skills | Below AUD 111,845.64 |
These thresholds change yearly based on average weekly ordinary time earnings to match market conditions.
Skills assessment criteria
Each occupation has different skills assessment requirements. You’ll need to:
- Get a positive skills assessment from the right authority for your profession
- Show qualifications that line up with Australian standards
- Meet your assessing authority’s specific requirements
Professional bodies handle assessments based on occupation type. To cite an instance, IT professionals get assessed by the Australian Computer Society, while Engineers Australia reviews engineering qualifications.
Your skills assessment must be valid when you apply. Assessment time varies based on your occupation and the assessing authority.
Core Skills vs Specialist Skills Pathways
Knowing how Core Skills and Specialist Skills pathways differ will help you pick the right option for your Australian work experience.
Occupation list differences
The Core Skills pathway works with a well-laid-out Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) that has 456 occupations. This list matches skilled workers with Australia’s current labor market needs. The Specialist Skills pathway doesn’t need an occupation list, but it doesn’t accept trades workers, machinery operators, drivers, and laborers.
Processing timeframes
Your visa processing time will be different for each pathway:
Pathway | Processing Time | Salary Threshold |
Specialist Skills | 7 days median | AUD 206,413.68 |
Core Skills | 21 days median | AUD 111,845.64 |
Pathway-specific benefits
Each pathway gives you different advantages for your migration:
- Specialist Skills Benefits:
- Fast processing within 7 days
- Freedom from occupation list limits
- Special teams monitor labor market effects
- Core Skills Benefits:
- More occupation choices available
- Clear path to permanent residency
- Occupation list stays current with market needs
The Core Skills pathway will be the primary choice for most skilled migrants. This pathway lets you fill specific labor market gaps while adding value to Australia’s workforce. Jobs and Skills Australia updates the occupation list often to match current market needs.
Employer Sponsorship Requirements
Businesses must meet specific requirements to sponsor skilled workers under the skills in demand visa program. These rules protect workers and ensure compliance.
Financial capacity requirements
Your business should show strong financial stability to sponsor workers. You need to prove you can:
- Pay market salary rates throughout the nomination period
- Keep your business running sustainably
- Pay all costs related to sponsorship
Sponsorship obligations
Sponsors have several core responsibilities to fulfil. The Migration Amendment Act 2024 has brought stricter compliance measures that start July 1, 2024. These include:
- Rules for monitoring and reporting
- Following Australian workplace laws
- Meeting training standards
- Keeping accurate records
Breaking these obligations can lead to heavy penalties.
- You’ll pay up to 240 penalty units (AUD 79,200) as an individual
- Companies will pay up to 1200 penalty units (AUD 396,000)
Labor market testing rules
Labor market testing (LMT) is a vital requirement. You must complete these steps before sponsoring an overseas worker:
- Post at least two job ads on nationally available recruitment websites
- Keep these ads active for at least 28 calendar days
- Finish testing within six months before you lodge the nomination
We made some exceptions to LMT rules for:
- Citizens from specific countries like China, Japan, and the UK
- Senior managers moving within the same company
- Disaster relief situations
The Department of Home Affairs plans to move towards independent verification of labour market needs, which will make the process simpler. On top of that, a new public register will show approved sponsors, their business details, and how many workers they sponsor.
Note that breaking these rules can result in serious problems. You might be labelled a prohibited employer and face temporary bans on hiring visa holders.
Conclusion
Australia’s skills in demand visa programme creates great opportunities for skilled workers and employers in 2024. The latest framework makes migration more available by reducing experience requirements and giving longer job search periods.
Different pathways meet unique needs. Specialist Skills works best for high-income professionals who want quick processing. Core skills connects workers with specific market needs, while essential skills target vital service sectors. Specialist roles command AUD 206,413.68, and core skills positions start at AUD 111,845.64.
Businesses must think over their sponsorship duties. These include financial commitments, compliance rules, and labour market testing. Such guidelines protect businesses and workers while promoting fair workplace standards.
Success depends on knowing your chosen pathway’s requirements. The new framework opens clear routes to permanent residency for specialist, core, or essential skills streams and meets Australia’s changing workforce needs.