In recent years, Australia has been a popular destination worldwide due to its high quality of life, abundant employment opportunities and high-quality educational resources.immigrantsIn 2024, the Australian government made a number of adjustments to the original immigration policy. These changes are aimed at attracting more high-quality talents and adapting to changes in the global economy and labor market. This article will analyze the 2024Immigration to AustraliaKey changes in policy to help interestedImmigration to Australiapeople to better understand and adapt to the new policy.

One,skilled migrantUpdates to quotas and occupation lists

skilled migrantIt has always been a core part of Australia's immigration policy, mainly achieved through skilled immigration visas (such as 189 independent skilled immigration visas, 190 state sponsorship visas and 491 remote area visas). In 2024, Australia updated the occupation list (SOL), which includes occupations in high-demand fields such as information technology, engineering, health care and education. The occupational score requirements in these fields have been reduced to absorb these talents more quickly. The following are the specific changes:

1. Adjustments to the occupation list: Some IT, data science, mental health and other occupations were added to the technical occupation list in 2024 to make up for the shortage of local professional talents. Some previously popular occupations were removed from the list, such as some low-tech positions, in order to concentrate resources to attract high-skilled talents.
2. Increased immigration quota：The Australian government has increased the quota for skilled immigrants in high-demand areas, especially the 491 visa category sponsored by remote states, to encourage immigrants to choose to live and work in remote areas. This policy adjustment has brought more opportunities for applicants in high-demand occupations, helped to reduce the pressure on big cities and promote economic development in remote areas.

2. State sponsorship and immigration policy preference for remote areas

In order to ease the population pressure in cities, the Australian government will continue to support the development of immigration to remote areas in 2024. Applicants for 190 state sponsorship visas and 491 remote area visas will receive more bonus points to attract them to remote areas. Specific changes include:

1. Priority policy for remote areas: Applicants who choose to live in remote areas can get extra points in the scoring system. In addition, each state will give priority to skilled applicants in remote areas. For example, Tasmania and South Australia offer more relaxed state nomination conditions, which greatly attracts applicants who want to settle in these areas.
2. Residence requirements: To ensure that immigrants actually settle in regional areas, 491 visa holders need to live in regional areas for at least three years before they are eligible for permanent residency. This requirement helps achieve the goal of population growth in regional areas and providesrecent immigrantsCreating more opportunities to integrate into the local community.

3. Optimization of family reunion visa

Family reunion visa categories, such as spouse visas and parent visas, are also the focus of immigration policy adjustments in 2024. The Australian government is speeding up the approval of this category to help separated families reunite faster. In addition, the requirements for parent visas have also been relaxed:

1. Improved approval speed：The backlog of family reunion visas has received great attention from the government. In 2024, the Australian Immigration Department increased the processing resources for family reunion visas, giving priority to spouse visas and parent visas to shorten waiting times.
2. Changes to Parent Visas：Due to the large number of parent visa applications and long waiting time, the Australian government has decided to increase the quota for the Contributory Parent Visa (870 visa). This visa category allows parents to temporarily reside in Australia for 3 to 5 years, reducing the long waiting period for the traditional permanent parent visa.

4. Update of language and points system

Australia's immigration scoring system includes factors such as English proficiency, work experience, education, age, etc. In 2024, Australia fine-tuned the language requirements, especially lowering the language threshold in state sponsorship programs in remote areas:

1. Adjustment of language requirements: In order to attract a wider range of talents, 491 visa applicants in some remote areas can apply for state sponsorship with lower English proficiency. However, high scores still require good language skills. The government's move is to hope that more applicants can successfully enter Australia through the remote area immigration program.
2. Increase of bonus points：The Australian government has added some additional points bonus options, such as highly educated talents in specific technical fields (such as information technology and medical) will receive additional points, and local work experience in Australia can also receive additional points. This change will increase the success rate of applications for people studying and working in Australia.

5. The attractiveness of study and work visas has increased

The Australian government also paid attention to students and temporary work visa applicants in 2024. International students are one of the important sources of future skilled immigrants, so the new policy further supports their study and work arrangements:

1. Extension of post-study work visa: In 2024, the validity period of the new graduate work visa (485 visa) was extended to four years for master's students and six years for doctoral graduates. This move provides more employment time for international students and creates conditions for them to accumulate local experience.
2. More job opportunities: For international students studying in Australia, the government has launched more internship and employment support programs to help them enter the Australian labor market more quickly after graduation. The working hours for student visas have also been relaxed, which helps students accumulate practical experience while studying.

VI. Changes in Permanent Residence and Naturalization Policies

In terms of applying for permanent residence and naturalization, the Australian government also made some adjustments in 2024, especially changes to residence requirements and background checks.

1. Increased residency requirements：Applicants need to have lived in Australia for a total of four years, at least one of which was as a permanent resident, to meet the naturalization requirements. This policy increases the time for new immigrants to integrate into Australian society and helps them to have a deeper understanding of Australian culture and life.
2. Enhanced background checks: Australia has added a stricter background check to its naturalization process to ensure that new citizens can adapt to Australian society. The government hopes this move will increase the social responsibility of naturalized citizens.

summarize

2024Australia's Immigration PolicyIt provides more options for different types of applicants, but also adds strict conditions in terms of residency requirements, background checks, etc. Whether it is skilled immigration, family reunion or study visa, the adjustment of Australia's policy reflects the country's overall goal of attracting high-quality talents while easing population pressure in large cities and promoting the development of remote areas. If you are interested in immigrating to Australia, it is recommended to carefully study the new policy changes and prepare in advance so that you can smoothly adapt to the challenges and opportunities brought by the new policy.