Australia’s immigration system is always changing — and 2025 is no different. Whether you’re an international student, a skilled worker, or currently living in Australia on a temporary visa, the upcoming changes could significantly impact your pathway to staying, working, or settling permanently.
Here’s a breakdown of the most important updates you need to know.
1. Higher Income Thresholds for Skilled Visas
Starting July 1st, 2025, the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) will be raised to $76,515 per year. This is the minimum salary required for many skilled migration visas, including employer-sponsored and independent options.
If you’re in a highly specialised field — such as technology, medicine, or engineering — you’ll need to meet the Specialist Skills Income Threshold, which is set even higher. These adjustments reflect the government’s intent to attract top-tier global talent while also protecting wage standards in Australia’s labour market.
2. Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) on Pause
The Subclass 189 visa, a highly sought-after pathway to permanent residency, has hit pause. The last invitation round occurred in November 2024, and no new rounds are expected until August or September 2025.
This has left thousands of hopeful applicants in limbo. If you’re among them, now might be the right time to explore alternate pathways, such as employer sponsorship or state-nominated programs.
3. State and Territory Nomination Programs Are Tightening
Popular state-sponsored visas like the Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 are becoming more competitive. Key states such as Victoria and the Northern Territory have already closed or limited their nomination programs for now.
This means fewer invitations and increased competition for each nomination slot. Applicants are strongly advised to regularly monitor individual state government immigration websites, as nomination criteria can change rapidly — sometimes with little notice.
4. Migration Planning Levels Reveal New Priorities
Australia’s Migration Program for 2024–25 provides a clear picture of the government’s priorities:
- Employer Sponsored visas have seen a boost, with 44,000 places now allocated — the largest category in the permanent migration program. This reflects the urgent need for workers in healthcare, aged care, construction, and other critical sectors.
- In contrast, the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) has been drastically reduced to just 1,000 places.
- Even the prestigious Global Talent Visa, designed to fast-track highly skilled professionals, has been scaled back slightly to 4,000 spots.
5. Stricter Student Visa Requirements
Big changes are also coming to student visas. From January 1st, 2025, anyone applying from within Australia must provide a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) at the time of application.
Letters of offer will no longer be accepted.
This move aims to curb misuse of the visa system and ensure that only genuine international students are entering the education sector.
6. Faster Visa Processing Times — With Exceptions
Here’s some encouraging news: processing times for temporary visas — such as student and visitor visas — have started to improve. The Department of Home Affairs is working to reduce backlogs and improve turnaround times.
However, it’s important to note that not all visa streams have caught up. Some older or more complex applications remain delayed, so processing times can still vary depending on the type of visa and your personal circumstances.
7. Changes to the Working Holiday Maker Program
If you’re on a Working Holiday Visa, new rules are coming into effect on April 5th, 2025. Updates to legislative instruments LIN 22/012 and LIN 22/013 will change:
- Which regional areas are eligible for second or third-year extensions
- Which types of jobs count toward those extensions
The goal is to better match regional employers with available workers, particularly in sectors such as farming, hospitality, and tourism.
Final Thoughts: Be Informed and Stay Prepared
Australia is recalibrating its migration strategy — placing a greater emphasis on attracting critical skills, maintaining integrity in the education sector, and improving the efficiency of its visa processing systems.
Whether you’re planning to study, work, or migrate permanently, the landscape is evolving quickly.
Now more than ever, it’s important to review your visa options, track policy updates, and ensure you’re putting forward the strongest possible application.
Stay informed. Stay ready.