In 2024, Australia has introduced several significant changes to its immigration policies, focusing on enhancing the skilled migration program and streamlining visa processes.

1. Subclass 482 Visa: Starting November 23, 2024, the work experience requirement for the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa will be reduced from two years to one year. This change aims to address immediate skill shortages by allowing quicker access to skilled overseas workers.
2. General Skilled Migration (GSM) Program: Various states have expanded their quotas for the 2024-25 migration year. For instance, Western Australia will offer 3,000 places for the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa and 2,000 for the Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa. Similarly, Tasmania and Victoria have also seen increases in their allocations, with Tasmania securing nearly 2,900 places.
3. New Visas and Reforms: The National Innovation Visa, replacing the Global Talent visa, will target exceptionally talented migrants in key sectors. Additionally, the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-Professionals Scheme (MATES) will allow 3,000 young Indian professionals to live and work in Australia for up to two years.
4. Workplace Protections: New measures have been introduced to protect migrant workers from exploitation, including enhanced data matching between the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Taxation Office, and the introduction of a workplace justice stream under the subclass 408 visa.