In the latest Federal Budget, exciting news was announced for those applying for the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa. Starting 23 November 2024, the work experience requirement will reduce from two years to one year. This change is aimed at making it easier for skilled workers to apply. But before we celebrate, there are a few things to consider.
What Needs to Happen for This Change?
For the one-year work experience rule to officially begin, the Government needs to update the law. Specifically, they need to amend certain regulations:
482.221, 482.231, 482.242
So far, no legislative updates (known as a “legislative instrument”) have been released. Without this, it’s unlikely the new rule will start on 23 November 2024, as initially planned.
The Connection Between TSS and SID Visa
You might have heard about the upcoming Skills in Demand (SID) visa. This new visa is set to replace the TSS visa and will also require just one year of work experience. It seems likely that the Government is delaying the TSS work experience change to line it up with the release of the SID visa. However, no official release date for the SID visa has been announced yet. The Department has hinted it will be introduced before the end of the year, but we don’t have an exact date.
Why 23 November Might Not Be the Day
Some people believe the SID visa will be launched on 23 November. However, there’s no solid evidence for this. Here’s why: No updates to the law have been published yet. No maintenance is scheduled for the Government’s visa system (ImmiAccount) around that time. Without these crucial steps, it’s unlikely the change will take effect on this date.
What Should You Do?
The best thing you can do is stay informed. The Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) is closely monitoring these updates and will keep everyone informed as soon as new information is available. For now, if you’re planning to apply for a TSS or SID visa, keep an eye on these announcements and prepare your documents in advance. Once the changes are confirmed, you’ll be ready to act.
Stay tuned for more updates, and good luck with your visa journey!
