Australian Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold raised

The recent announcement that, from 1 July 2023, New Zealand citizens residing in Australia on Subclass 444 Special Category Visa (SCV) will be able to apply directly for citizenship if they have resided in Australia for 4 years or more, has prompted concerns of worsening skills shortages, as New Zealanders are now tempted to leave for Australia, or for those already there, choose not to return.That almost 5000 nurses, about 8% of NZ’s nursing workforce, have registered to practise in Australia since August 2022, comes as no surprise

The pathway is retrospective, meaning those in Australia since 2001, when the SCV came into effect, will be able to apply for citizenship without gaining permanent residence first.

One small reprieve is the Australian Government’s announcement that the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) will increase from $53,900 to $70,000 from 1 July 2023.

The following update is that:

· New nominations lodged on or after that date will be required to meet the new TSMIT of $70,000 or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher.

· Nominations lodged before 1 July 2023 will not be affected.