Australia's New Skilled Migration Policy for 2023-24
In the 2023-24 program year, Australia is taking a new direction in its skilled migration policy. Invitations for the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa have been significantly reduced to just 8,300 so far, reflecting a shifted focus towards Employer-Sponsored visas and Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) in regional areas.
These changes align with the Australian Government's plans to reform the skilled migration points test system, aiming to enhance the immigration system while halving net overseas migration by 2025.
"The goal is to build a smaller, better planned, more strategic migration system that works for Australia." - Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil.
DAMA Updates and Overview
In recent weeks, various Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) across Australia have been significantly updated. Some agreements have been renewed, demonstrating a commitment to ongoing regional development and skilled migration, while others continue to operate under the standard five-year agreement framework.
Here’s an overview of Australia’s 12 DAMAs, including the number of eligible ANZSCO occupations within each agreement and the date of the most recent update:
| DAMA | # Eligible Occupations | Last Update on List |
|---|---|---|
| Goldfields | 145 | 22 Apr 2024 |
| Orana | 131 | 16 Apr 2024 |
| South Australian Regional Workforce | 320 | 15 Apr 2024 |
| Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement | 56 | 15 Apr 2024 |
| Great South Coast | 114 | 28 Mar 2024 |
| Pilbara | 135 | 19 Jan 2024 |
| Kimberley | 187 | 12 Jan 2024 |
| Far North Queensland | 175 | 10 Jan 2024 |
| The Northern Territory DAMA | 135 | 13 Nov 2023 |
| TNQ (Townsville) | 193 | 02 Jun 2023 |
| Goulburn Valley | 56 | 26 Oct 2022 |
| South West | 56 | 12 May 2022 |
Understanding DAMAs
Employer-sponsored visas have become increasingly important in the current migration program year, particularly with the decline in invitations for state nominations and skilled independent visas.
The Government's plan to reform the sponsored program by introducing a new Skills in Demand visa in late 2024 supports a broader goal of a more targeted and responsive immigration system, complementing the updates on the different Designated Area Migration Agreements.
At the heart of this reform is the Core Skills Occupations List (CSOL), currently in the draft stage and undergoing consultation to ensure alignment with labour market needs.
The draft CSOL, based on the 2022 ANZSCO catalogue, includes occupations from ANZSCO Skill Levels 1 to 3 and is divided into categories for recommended inclusion, exclusion, and those needing targeted feedback based on labour market data and stakeholder input.
Explore the Core Skills Occupations List (CSOL): https://www.anzscosearch.com/csol/
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