From 1 July 2025, skilled visa income thresholds will be increased by 4.6%. This is in line with changes to the annual Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE). This delivers on the commitment outlined in the Migration Strategy, as recommended by the Migration Review. Income thresholds are indexed annually so wages for skilled migrants increase at the same rate as Australian workers. This ensures that people cannot use skilled migration to undercut Australian workers. From 1 July 2025, indexation changes will be as follows: The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) will increase from AUD73,150 to AUD76,515. This will impact nomination applications for the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) and the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186). The Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) will increase from AUD135,000 to AUD141,210. This will impact nomination applications for the Specialist Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482). The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) used for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) and the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) (subclass 187) will increase from AUD73,150 to AUD76,515. This is in line with the CSIT and subject to approval of relevant legislation. New nomination applications from 1 July 2025 must meet the new relevant income threshold or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher. This change will not apply to existing visa holders and nominations lodged before 1 July 2025.

On 19 March 2025, a new Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) for Northern Territory comes into effect. The DAMA is the third DAMA established for the territory and will be in effect until 30 June 2030. It enables employers facing workforce shortages to access an additional 1,500 overseas workers annually across a broad range of occupations that are in critical shortage in the territory. For more information, see: Designated Area Migration Agreement.

We will be doing systems maintenance on some of our online systems between 8:30pm (AEDT) Friday 21 March 2025 and 12:00pm (AEDT) Saturday 22 March 2025. While we are making these changes, the following online services may not be available: • ImmiAccount • eLodgement (online visa and citizenship applications) • Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) • LEGENDcom • Australian Trusted Trader • Employment Suitability Clearances • Detention Visitor Application • APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) • Humanitarian Entrants Management System (HEMS) • Adult Migrant English Program Reporting and Management System (ARMS) • Education Provider Report (eBIT) • Visa Pricing Estimator • MSI Register • Australian Migration Status (AMS) Training Portal • Online Payment Portal If you receive a 'Service Temporarily Unavailable' error message during this time, please try again after the outage period. If your current visa is due to expire on 21 March 2025 and you intend to stay in Australia, ensure that you lodge your next visa application before 8:30pm on Friday 21 March 2025. We apologise for any inconvenience.

In a significant addition to Australia’s wide range of industry-aligned qualifications, Australia will soon offer a new Vocational Degree as part of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). What is a Vocational Degree? This new qualification will offer advanced skills and specialised technical knowledge. It will be at the same education (AQF) level as a traditional Bachelor degree but will offer more ‘applied’ or practical learning. The Vocational Degree will include a range of training delivery modes, including apprenticeships. This will suit students who prefer hands-on learning experiences. Why was the Vocational Degree introduced? The Australian Government's 2023 "Jobs and Opportunities: Working Future" White Paper, outlines the need for higher-level tertiary skills qualifications to meet industry skills needs. Who is developing the courses? Public Technical and Further Education (TAFE) Centres of Excellence, and the Australian Government’s Jobs and Skills Councils, have already begun developing Vocational Degree curricula in response to industry needs. Why should I consider a Vocational Degree? For international students, the Vocational Degree will offer a new pathway for gaining industry-relevant skills and knowledge. It will also enhance graduate employability in the Australian and global job market.

What are the QS World University Rankings by Subject? Global higher education analysts QS Quacquarelli Symonds have now released the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject. This year’s rankings feature 38 Australian universities (out of 1,700 globally), collectively achieving 944 entries—up 5% from last year—across 60 subject areas. The 2025 cover subjects (areas of study) in five broad categories: Arts and Humanities, Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences and Management. How did Australia perform in the 2025 Subject Rankings? Australia’s world-class universities continue to dominate on the global stage. Overall, 13 Australian universities featured in the world’s top 10 rankings across 8 different subjects (study areas). Australia was also among the top three countries worldwide for the number of subject rankings per university. Some highlights to note: The University of Melbourne and The University of Sydney each rank among the world’s top 100 in an exceptional 52 of 55 subject areas. The University of Queensland had 50 subjects ranked, all within the world’s top 200. Monash University holds joint fourth place globally with 49 ranked subjects, achieving positions as high as 4th (Pharmacy and Pharmacology). UNSW Sydney shares fifth place globally overall, with 48 subjects ranked alongside a select group of international peers. The University of Queensland and University of Sydney (both Sports-related subjects) UNSW Sydney and Curtin University (both Engineering – Mineral & Mining) and University of Adelaide (Petroleum Engineering) were all listed in the world’s top 5 for their respective study areas. The Australian National University was also featured in the world’s top 10 for Philosophy, Anthropology, Development Studies and Archaeology. The subject area of Medicine has the highest concentration of Australian entries (31). Start exploring courses If you’d like to study at one of Australia’s world-class education providers, you can use our Course Search tool to start exploring courses and making enquiries. To find out more about Australia's world leading study areas, search our areas of study pages or use our personalised Career Matching Tool to find a career that best suits your strengths and interests.

If you’re applying for an Australian visa, be careful of scam migration agents who attempt to deceive and exploit applicants. These scams often happen through social media. Scam agents may charge excessive fees, use fraudulent documents, make false promises, or encourage you to work illegally in Australia. In Australia, it is illegal for anyone to give immigration advice for money unless they are: • a registered migration agent with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) • an Australian legal practitioner. If you are applying from outside of Australia, it is best to use a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner. You can check if an agent is registered by using the OMARA search tool and user guide available on the OMARA website. Every registered migration agent has a Migration Agents Registration Number (MARN). Always ask the agent for their MARN and confirm it on the OMARA website. If you use a scam agent, you could risk: • losing money • having your visa cancelled • being ineligible for future visas • being refused entry or banned from Australia • being left stranded or sent back to your home country. To learn more about how to identify a scam, visit the What you need to know about visa scams page . If you know about visa fraud or believe you have been scammed, report it on the Border Watch page. You can find more information on the Visa scams page.

What is the National Student Ombudsman? The National Student Ombudsman (NSO) is a new, independent service that helps students with any complaint about their higher education provider. If you’ve raised a complaint with your university (or other higher education provider) but it hasn’t been resolved, or you don’t feel safe speaking up, the NSO can assist you. From 1 February 2025, the NSO will be available to students who believe their higher education provider has handled a complaint unfairly or made a decision that negatively affects them. The NSO is available to all students in higher education programs, this includes: Students from any TEQSA-registered provider (including non-university higher education providers) first-year undergraduate or postgraduate students, including higher degree research students part-time or full-time students domestic and international students. What kinds of complaints can the NSO help with? The NSO can review a wide range of issues, including: student safety and wellbeing fairness of complaint-handling processes discrimination racism gender-based discrimination gender-based violence administrative issues (such as delays or incorrect course information). How can the NSO help resolve complaints? The NSO does not make new decisions about complaints, but it can assess whether your education provider’s actions were fair and reasonable. Depending on the case, the NSO may: make written recommendations to the provider offer restorative engagement (find a way for students and education providers to address issues together) provide mediation or alternative dispute resolution options. How do I make a complaint? The NSO offers different ways to submit complaints to ensure you feel safe and supported. If their services aren’t the best fit for your situation, they will refer you to a more suitable service. Even if you're unsure whether you're ready to make a complaint, you can call the NSO on 1300 395 775 or visit nso.gov.au to learn more. What if I am an ELICOS or VET student? International students studying with a private provider should continue to contact the Overseas Student Ombudsman for assistance. All students enrolled in VET courses with public providers can continue to escalate complaints to their state or territory ombudsmen offices. Australian Capital Territory Ombudsman New South Wales Ombudsman Northern Territory Ombudsman South Australian Ombudsman Queensland Ombudsman Tasmanian Ombudsman Victorian Ombudsman Western Australian Ombudsman

The 14th edition of The Administration of the Immigration and Citizenship Programs Paper was released on 21 February. This edition provides updated figures and information on the management of Australia’s immigration program, with data updated to the end of 31 December 2024. Immigration is central to Australia’s national story and identity. The department continues to manage Australia’s immigration program in a way that anticipates and responds to changes in both the domestic and international environment. This advances our national interests and supports migrants and their families. The department also supports the government’s reform agenda. This reform will deliver sustainable levels of migration and attract migrants that will help fill labour shortages and drive productivity. For a copy of the paper, visit The Administration of the Immigration and Citizenship Programs Paper.