New Delhi (India), July 20: Australia has long been a popular destination for people seeking better opportunities and a high standard of living in an advanced country. With its strong economy, diverse culture, spectacular landscapes, and tremendous quality of life, Australia offers several advantages for immigrants. However, there are several reasons why now is the best time to consider applying for Australia Immigration. In this article, we will discover the key factors that make this period apt for those aspiring to make Australia their new home.


Key Australia Immigration Changes


Recently, the Australian government has announced several measures to benefit new immigrants and international students in Australia. Here are a few of these measures:



  • Increased Immigration target: Australia has been accepting 160,000 immigrants for the past few years. However, for the program year 2023-2024, which starts on 1 July, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) in Australia has increased the target to 190,000. Furthermore, this time around, DHA has allocated approximately 70% of the places in the 2023-2024 Permanent Migration Program to skilled migrants.



  • Minimum score dropped: Australia has reduced the qualifying score for receiving an Invitation to Apply for Australia PR and provisional visa categories, including the Subclass 189, 190, and 491 visas. The minimum score reached its lowest level ever, with just 65 points in the most recent invitation round of Skill Select- an online system that manages and assesses Expression of Interest (EOI) submissions from skilled visa applicants.



  • Reduced processing time: Australian government has decreased the processing time for popular skilled visa categories, i.e. the Subclass 189, 190, and 491 visas. According to the government, it is actively working to expedite visa application decisions. They have increased the number of staff responsible for processing applications and have committed to further expanding the workforce. Processing times have already shown improvements across most visa programs.



  • Eased nomination criteria: Australian states have also relaxed the eligibility criteria for issuing nominations for the Subclass 190 visa, considering the decrease in the minimum score requirement. This change has resulted in greater availability of the Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189) offered by the DHA.

  • No minimum income requirement for Subclass 191 visa: The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (Subclass 191) no longer has a minimum income requirement. The Subclass 491 visa is a temporary or provisional visa that can be later converted into the Australia PR visa(Subclass 191).



  • Easing immigration rules: The Australian government is continually implementing measures to simplify immigration rules and processes for applicants.


Key changes applicable from 1 July 


Find below the key Australia immigration changes applicable from 1 July 2023:



  • India-Australia Agreement: According to the recently signed India-Australia agreement, Indian graduates studying in Australian territory institutions on a student visa can apply to work without visa sponsorship for up to 8 years, starting from 1 July 2023.

  • Post-study work rights: The government has announced an additional allocation of 2 years of post-study work rights for Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) holders with select degrees.

  • Part-time working hour limit: The government has also announced an increase in the part-time working hour limit for foreign students in Australia, raising it from 40 hours per fortnight to 48 hours per fortnight, effective from 1 July 2023.


Applying for immigration to Australia has always been an intriguing choice for individuals seeking better opportunities and a higher quality of life. However, the aforementioned changes and measures make it an exceptionally valuable time to embark on this journey.


Apply for immigration to Australia now!


The demand for skilled professionals, streamlined immigration processes, successful pandemic management, economic recovery, family-friendly policies, and exceptional quality of life in Australia are all compelling reasons to consider making a move. By seizing this opportunity, you can open the door to a fulfilling and prosperous future in the Land Down Under.


To check your eligibility and apply for the most relevant visa in Australia this year, you can get in touch with Visas Avenue - the most trusted Immigration Advisor for Australia, associated with a MARA member.


You may contact the VA Australia immigration expert on Toll-Free No. 78-18-000-777 or drop us an e-mail at info@visasavenue.com.