As we ticked over into 2025, some new laws and legislation came into effect. As a part of ongoing efforts to manage Australia’s migration, many of these new rules impact international students and other visa holders.
Find out all about the changes to visas, migration and more with our handy round-up of what’s changed this year.
Decrease in permanent migration places
One important change this year is the reduction of the number of places available in the Migration Program. In 2024-2025, there will be 185,000 places available, 5,000 fewer than last year.
However, this doesn’t impact all visa types equally. There are now more spaces for some applicants, such as those applying for employer-sponsored or state/territory-nominated visas. Family visa places have remained the same.
International student cap proposal blocked
If you were paying attention to the news last year, you might remember hearing about an upcoming student visa cap. In August, the government announced plans to limit new international student enrolments to 270,000 for 2025.
This cap was intended to manage Australia’s booming international student numbers. But, the opposition didn’t support this measure, and the legislation was blocked. This means no caps will be introduced this year.
Instead, the government has announced new categories for student visa processing.
New student visa processing categories
To ensure Australia’s international student cohort is growing in a sustainable way, the government has introduced new “go-slow” measures.
Underpinning this is a new visa prioritisation system. This aims to balance visa applications across education providers in a more balanced way.
This new method will see student visas marked as priority 1, or high priority, for processing, as long as their education provider has not reached 80 per cent of its allocated student threshold.
Once a provider has reached 80 per cent capacity, student visa applications for their institution will be marked as priority 2, or standard priority, and will not be processed as quickly.
Restrictions for onshore visa hopping
Other changes introduced this year are aimed at stopping ‘visa hopping’, where people exploit loopholes that allow them to stay on in Australia, sometimes indefinitely.
Under new rules, any individual applying for a student visa from within Australia will need to supply a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). A Letter of Offer will no longer be accepted.
This adds to changes introduced in July 2024. These saw Temporary Graduate and visitor visa holders no longer able to apply for student visas from within Australia.
International student visa fee increased
Another change introduced mid-last year was a significant increase to the student visa fee.
As of 1 July 2024, Australia’s subclass 500 student visa fee rose from $710 to $1,600, more than doubling overnight. As the fee is non-refundable, even for unsuccessful applications, this ramps up the financial commitment required by prospective students.
Replacement of the Temporary Skills Shortage (subclass 482) visa
On 7 December 2024, the Temporary Skills Shortage visa was replaced with an exciting new visa type: Skills in Demand (SID). SID visas, which are still under subclass 482, are available to employer-sponsored workers who have skills considered in demand in Australia.
The SID visa consists of three streams. This includes a Specialist Skills stream for those in highly skilled professions, a Labour agreement stream for those under special agreements, and a new Core Skills stream.
The Core Skills stream is available to eligible applicants who work in an occupation listed on the Core Skills Occupation list (CSOL).
Introduction of Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
Also introduced in December, the CSOL is a new occupation list that outlines the jobs that are most necessary to addressing Australia’s skill shortages.
It covers a total of 456 jobs, which span industries such as construction, cyber security, agriculture, health and education.
