//Intro//

Starting July 1st,

Australia’s visa rules are getting a major shake-up.
Whether you're a skilled worker, international student, or applying for family reunion—
You need to know this!

Australian Visas Facing Major Changes

From July 1st, Australia’s visa policies will see a series of important adjustments, covering skilled migration visas, student visas, and partner visas.

These changes will significantly impact skilled workers, international students, and those applying for family reunification.

Let’s take a closer look at the details of these new changes.

Skilled Migration Visas

From July 1, 2025, the income threshold for skilled migration visas will be raised by 4.6%, in line with changes to the Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE) in Australia.

The Department of Home Affairs stated that the income threshold will be indexed annually to ensure that wage growth for skilled migrants keeps pace with that of local Australian workers, and to prevent undercutting local wages through migration.

Specific adjustments are as follows:

• The core skills income threshold will rise from AUD 73,150 to AUD 76,515.
  

• The specialist skills income threshold will rise from AUD 135,000 to AUD 141,210.

• The temporary skilled migration income threshold for the 494 regional employer-sponsored visa and the 187 regional sponsorship migration scheme will rise from AUD 73,150 to AUD 76,515.

It is important to note that these changes do not apply to current visa holders or applications submitted before July 1, 2025.

Source:dailytelegraph.com.au

Student Visas

Starting from July 1, 2025, Australia will increase the financial capacity requirement for international student visa applicants. Applicants must now demonstrate they have at least AUD 29,710 in available funds, up from the previous requirement of AUD 24,505.

In addition, the Australian government has relaxed work restrictions for international students during study periods. Undergraduate students will be allowed to work up to 24 hours per week during semesters, up from the previous 20-hour limit. This aims to provide students with more work experience and support greater financial independence.

Postgraduate students will enjoy unrestricted work rights, allowing them to fully engage in their chosen industries while studying. This move is intended to attract high-quality international students and retain skilled graduates in Australia's workforce.

Source：dailytelegraph.com.au

Partner Visas

The Department of Home Affairs has introduced comprehensive reforms to the partner visa application process.

The processing time for the subclass 820 partner visa generally ranges from 9 to 18 months, depending on individual circumstances and the completeness of the application.

Applicants can now submit a combined application to be assessed for both temporary and permanent residency simultaneously, significantly reducing application time and financial costs.

Additionally, a new online portal launched by the Department of Home Affairs makes document submission and application tracking more convenient and efficient.

Visa Fees Increasing Across the Board

From July 1, 2025, the application fee for international student visas will increase from AUD 1,600 to AUD 2,000. However, policies for applicants from Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste will remain unchanged.

According to Rocket & Ash Immigration Law, Australia's citizenship application fees will also increase. The standard eligibility application fee will rise from AUD 560 to AUD 575, while applications based on descent or other circumstances will increase from AUD 360 to AUD 370.

Partner and family reunion visa fees are also under review and may see further increases. The Department of Home Affairs is undertaking a full reform of these application processes to streamline procedures and reduce processing times.

Currently, the partner visa application fee has already increased from AUD 8,850 (as of July 2024) to AUD 9,095, and there may be further increases in the future.

Family reunion visa fees vary by category. For example, the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870) costs AUD 5,735 for a 3-year visa and AUD 11,470 for a 5-year visa.

For the Aged Parent visa, the main applicant fee is AUD 7,055. Additional applicants aged 18 and over pay AUD 4,650, and applicants under 18 pay AUD 3,315.

Source：dailytelegraph.com.au

Immigration Policy

Australia’s immigration policy is also undergoing significant changes. The permanent migration program for 2024–2025 has been set at 185,000 places. Starting from 2025–2026, a multi-year planning model will be adopted, extending the planning period from 12 months to 4 years.

This change will allow immigration planning to better align with long-term infrastructure, housing, and service planning across all levels of government. Housing supply has also become one of the key factors influencing the direction of immigration planning.

Final Note

These latest visa policy changes in Australia cover a wide range of areas.

It is strongly recommended that applicants closely follow policy updates and plan ahead to ensure a smooth application process.

Ref:

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/australian-visa-changes-everything-you-need-to-know/news-story/746481f43947cdddc9bea3216f291957