There are a number of changes anticipated to commence from 1 July 2023, including many changes related to COVID concessions ending. Here is a summary of the changes:

Legislative Changes

• TSMIT increase to $70,000 - Legislative Instrument not yet released 

• NZ SCV holders will have a direct pathway for citizenship, without applying for a traditional PR visa first

• Application fee increases as per the Budget - Legislative Instrument not yet released

Graduate Subclass 485 visas

• 485 Graduate work stream must nominate an occupation on the list

• 485 Graduate work stream will require a skills assessment

• 485 Post Study work stream extended work rights and 2 year extension

Student visas

• Condition 8104 work rights relaxation will be removed, unless the Student VH was working in the aged care sector on 9 May 2023, with this reverting to the normal working restrictions on 31 December 2023.

• For all other Student VH the 40 hour per fortnight work restriction will be increased to 48 hours on 1 July 2023

Subclass 407 secondary visa holders

• Work rights for secondary VH will revert to 40 hours per fortnight on 1 July 2023. 

Subclass 482 - Short term stream

• Third Subclass 482 ST stream visas can only be applied for onshore until 1 July 2023 (this restriction could be removed by the DHA, but it has not yet)

Subclass 417 for UK citizens

• WHV age limit for UK citizens will increase in age to 35 years

Changes to medical examinations

• From 1 July 2023, urine tests will no longer form part of the medical examination. Blood test are to be undertaken instead. Applicants aged 15 years or older, who have not completed their medical examinations prior to 1 July 2023, will be required to undertake a blood test. Children between the ages of 5 and 14 years old will no longer be required to undertake urine or blood tests unless clinically indicated.