What can we expect from Australia’s new Skills in Demand visa?

The first pathway is the Specialist Skills Pathway, which is slated to include a new streamlined approach for highly skilled specialists to ensure Australia can quickly and easily recruit top talent in areas of need. The Specialist Skills Pathway is expected to be available to applicants who meet the general employer sponsored eligibility criteria (for example, be nominated by an approved employer, meet the health and character requirements) and are:

1. in any occupation except trades workers, machinery operators and drivers, and labourers;
2. and earning at least $135,000 (the Specialist Skills Threshold) and no less than Australian workers in the same occupation.

The second pathway is the Core Skills Pathway. Most temporary skilled migrants are expected to come through this pathway, which is designed to bring in the skilled employees Australia needs now and in the future. In short, this is expected to be a continuation of the current TSS visa program. The Core Skills Pathway is expected to be available to applicants who meet the general eligibility criteria and:

1. whose occupation is on a new Core Skills Occupation List, which relates to occupations identified by Jobs and Skills Australia as being in shortage or where Australia has committed to providing access to our labour market in relation to that occupation through international trade agreements; and
2. who will be paid a salary at or above the TSMIT (to be retitled the Core Skills Threshold, when the new system is implemented), or the relevant average market salary where it is above the TSMIT.

Unlike the Specialist Skills Pathway, trades workers, machinery operators and drivers, and labourers will be eligible under the Core Skills Pathway subject to being identified on the Core Skills Occupation List based on advice from Jobs and Skills Australia, and being paid above the TSMIT (including for roles paid above the Specialist Skills Threshold).

The third expected pathway is an Essential Skills Pathway, which will be a highly regulated pathway for lower paid workers with essential skills. The Government is primarily considering the pathway in the context of the care and support economys. These arrangements would are expected to be sector specific, capped, embedded with stronger regulation and minimum standards.