The Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) recently introduced two new initiatives aimed at supporting overseas-born nursing and midwifery graduates and applicants in the skills assessment process.
Gradready: Fast-Tracking Modified Skills Assessment Launched on November 8, 2024, the Gradready initiative allows overseas-born nursing and midwifery graduates who have completed their education in Australia to apply for a Modified Skills Assessment as soon as they finish their course requirements. With Gradready, applicants can enter the ANMAC queue for assessment while they await registration from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Once AHPRA registration is granted, the assessment process with ANMAC can be quickly finalized, expediting pathways to professional practice.
Gradready Eligibility Requirements:
Applicants must have submitted an AHPRA registration application and will need to provide their application date in the Modified Assessment form.
Applicants must be residing in Australia.
Please note that while the Modified Assessment application can be submitted, it will not be finalized until ANMAC receives the official AHPRA certificate of registration.
GuideME: Expert Guidance for Applicants Another recent launch, on November 1, 2024, the GuideME initiative offers personalized support for applicants, migration agents, and employers navigating the skills assessment process. For a fee of $195 AUD, individuals can schedule a 30-minute phone consultation with an ANMAC expert, gaining valuable, tailored insights to enhance their application readiness and compliance.
For more information on both initiatives, visit the ANMAC website.
South Australia’s 2024-2025 General Skilled Migration Program has experienced unprecedented levels of Registration of Interest (ROI) applications for the following occupations:
Chef
Motor Mechanic (General)
Enrolled Nurse
With interest so high, Skilled & Business Migration (SBM) is advising current and prospective applicants for these occupations to consider exploring alternative visa options, such as SBM’s DAMA Program. Clients can discuss visa options with their current employer and migration agent.
Currently, the number of ROI’s submitted exceeds the quota available to SBM.
SBM will continue to send invitations to clients living and working in South Australia on a weekly basis across all available occupations.
The Occupation Shortage List (OSL) was established in mid-October 2024 provides an overview of shortage status of occupations in the Australian labour market, by each state and territory.
The OSL this year 2024 was released with 4-digit ANZSCO Level (Unit Group) or the 6-digit ANZSCO level (Occupations)
According to the 2024 OSL, Key Findings and Insights Report showed a persistent shortage in 2021-2024 in Managers (Business), Professionals (Business, ICT, Cyber security), Community and Personal Service Workers (Social Work) and Technicians occupations.
And the Top industries under pressure of shortage are:
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Statistics New Zealand have announced that while they will continue to maintain comparability, each country will now introduce their own tailored occupational classifications. This move marks a shift from the joint Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) established in 2006.
What’s Changing?
Australia will introduce the new Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA), 2024, with the first version being released on 6 December 2024.
New Zealand will implement its tailored list starting 20 November 2024, designed to better reflect its modern labour market.
A Unified Approach with Individual Focus Australian Statistician Dr. David Gruen and New Zealand Government Statistician Mr. Mark Sowden have emphasised the importance of maintaining Trans-Tasman and international comparability while also adapting to each country’s evolving labour markets.
What This Means:
For Australia: The new classification will be tailored to the needs of the Australian labour market, ensuring that local changes are accurately represented while still supporting Trans-Tasman data comparisons.
For New Zealand: The new list will reflect the country’s unique labour market dynamics while maintaining crucial comparability with Australia.
The agencies will develop concordances to map between classifications, ensuring data continuity and consistent time-series analysis across both countries.
The Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) will commence operation on Monday, 14 October 2024 and it will replace the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). To assist with the transition the Administrative Review taskforce have developed a factsheet which provides information about the new Tribunal and what it means for people who are seeking review of decisions, or have current matters in the AAT. Members are encouraged to distribute the factsheet to their clients and colleagues. Download the factsheet.
On 27 September 2024, the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) made an announcement regarding legislative updates. These updates included important information about State nomination updates.as following:
ACT Skilled migration nomination invitation round
ACT held a skilled migration nomination invitation round on 19 September 2024.
During this round, a total of 68 nominations were issued for the Subclass 190 visa, and 62 nominations were issued for the Subclass 491 visa. Below is a detailed breakdown of the invitations provided:
Canberra residents Matrix nominating Small Business Owners Matrix submissions for Small Business Owners were not considered in this invitation round. Matrix nominating 457 / 482 visa holders 190 nominations: 12 invitations 491 nominations: 1 invitation
An update from The Tasmanian skilled migration webpage on 26 September 2024 included important details about the requirements and processes for Sc 190 and Sc 491 skilled migration nominations, applications, and Registrations of Interest (ROI) as follow:
Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa: Nominations – 360 of 2100 places used Nomination applications lodged but not decided – 211 Invitations to apply for nomination issued but not yet accepted – 100 Registrations of interest on hand – 402
Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa: Nominations – 104 of 760 places used Nomination applications lodged but not decided – 81 Invitations to apply for nomination issued but not yet accepted – 45 Registrations of interest on hand – 386
Australia Unveils New International Student Profiles for 2025
Australian higher education providers have released updated international student profiles for 2025, outlining key attributes and academic backgrounds of prospective students. These profiles aim to help institutions attract a diverse global student body and strengthen Australia’s position as a top education destination.
For further details, a full proposal is available as a downloadable PDF.
Invitation rounds will be run periodically during the program year for:
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored.
In each round, invitation numbers may vary depending on the number of onhand applications.
State or territory government nominations for skilled visas will not be affected by the departmental invitation rounds.
For results of previous SkillSelect invitation rounds, see Previous rounds.
Occupation ceilings
Occupation ceilings do not apply to these visa subclasses:
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – State and Territory Nominated
Invitation process
The highest ranked EOI, by points score, will be invited to apply for their visa before an EOI with a lower points score.
For EOIs who have equal points scores, we will determine the time and date at which the EOI reached its score for that subclass. We call this a ‘tie break’ or the ‘date of effect’. The EOI with an earlier date of effect will be invited before EOIs with a later date of effect.
Current round
Invitations issued on 13 June 2024
The table below shows the number of EOIs invited, and the tie break month and year, for the SkillSelect invitation round on 13 June 2024.
Invitations issued by occupation and minimum score invited
Occupation*
Subclass 189* Minimum scored
Accountant (General)
100
Actuary
95
Aeronautical Engineer
95
Agricultural Consultant
95
Agricultural Engineer
95
Agricultural Scientist
95
Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber
65
Analyst Programmer
95
Architect
85
Audiologist
85
Biomedical Engineer
95
Biotechnologist
95
Bricklayer
65
Cabinetmaker
65
Carpenter
65
Carpenter and Joiner
65
Chef
95
Chemical Engineer
95
Chemist
95
Child Care Centre Manager
85
Chiropractor
85
Civil Engineer
90
Civil Engineering Draftsperson
85
Civil Engineering Technician
85
Clinical Psychologist
85
Computer Network and Systems Engineer
100
Construction Project Manager
85
Dancer or Choreographer
95
Developer Programmer
100
Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist
85
Drainer
65
Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher
85
Economist
95
Electrical Engineer
90
Electrician (General)
65
Electrician (Special Class)
70
Electronics Engineer
95
Emergency Medicine Specialist
85
Endocrinologist
95
Engineering Manager
95
Engineering Professionals nec)
95
Engineering Technologist
95
Environmental Consultant
95
Environmental Engineer
95
Environmental Research Scientist
95
External Auditor
95
Fibrous Plasterer
65
Food Technologist
95
Forester
95
Gasfitter
65
General Practitioner
85
Geophysicist
95
Geotechnical Engineer
85
Glazier
65
ICT Business Analyst
100
ICT Security Specialist
100
Industrial Engineer
95
Internal Auditor
95
Joiner
65
Land Economist
95
Landscape Architect
85
Life Scientist (General)
95
Life Scientists nec
95
Lift Mechanic
65
Management Accountant
100
Management Consultant
95
Marine Biologist
95
Materials Engineer
95
Mechanical Engineer
90
Medical Diagnostic Radiographer
85
Medical Laboratory Scientist
85
Medical Practitioners nec
85
Metal Fabricator
85
Metallurgist
95
Microbiologist
95
Midwife
85
Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum)
95
Motor Mechanic (General)
95
Multimedia Specialist
95
Naval Architect
100
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
85
Occupational Therapist
85
Other Spatial Scientist
95
Paediatrician
85
Painting Trades Worker
65
Pathologist
85
Petroleum Engineer
95
Physicist
95
Physiotherapist
85
Plumber (General)
65
Production or Plant Engineer
90
Psychiatrist
85
Psychologists nec
85
Quantity Surveyor
85
Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
85
Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
85
Registered Nurse (Community Health)
90
Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
85
Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)
85
Registered Nurse (Medical)
85
Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
85
Registered Nurse (Paediatrics)
85
Registered Nurse (Perioperative)
85
Registered Nurse (Surgical)
85
Registered Nurses nec
85
Roof Plumber
65
Secondary School Teacher
85
Sheetmetal Trades Worker
85
Shipwright
105
Social Worker
85
Software and Applications Programmers nec
95
Software Engineer
100
Solicitor
95
Solid Plasterer
65
Special Needs Teacher
85
Specialist Physician (General Medicine)
85
Speech Pathologist
85
Statistician
95
Stonemason
65
Structural Engineer
85
Surveyor
95
Systems Analyst
100
Taxation Accountant
95
Telecommunications Engineer
95
Telecommunications Field Engineer
100
Telecommunications Network Engineer
95
Telecommunications Network Planner
90
Transport Engineer
85
University Lecturer
95
Valuer
95
Veterinarian
95
Wall and Floor Tiler
65
Welder (First Class)
85
Zoologist
95
* Results could indicate that no EOIs were available to be invited, or EOIs were available but did not meet parameters to receive an invitation. Note – ‘nec’ means ‘not elsewhere classified’.
Total invitations issued during 2023-24 program year
The above figures do not include invitations issued for state and territory government-nominated visa subclasses. State and territory governments nominate throughout the month for specific visas.
State and Territory nominations
2024-25 program year
The number of EOIs that have received nominations from state and territory governments from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025.
The Australian Government has announced that a National Planning Level will apply to the international education and training sector from 2025.
On 27 August 2024, the Australian Government announced that a National Planning Level (NPL) will put limits on the growth of international student programs each year. For 2025, new student commencement numbers for Australia’s universities will be set at around 2023 levels.
Why has an NPL been put in place?
Australia remains a top study destination globally and there have been large increases in the number of students choosing to study in Australia in recent years.
A new NPL will help Australia’s education and training providers to manage this growth. It will also help to ensure that providers can continue to deliver high-quality programs, offer comprehensive student support services and best prepare their students for future employment in their chosen career.
What are the numbers?
National Planning Level limits will apply from 1 January 2025, with a total of 270,000 new international student commencements for the 2025 calendar year. This does not include enrolments or offers. It is the actual number of international students starting a course. If a student starts a second course at the same provider, also in calendar year 2025, it will not be counted under that year’s planning limit.
From 1 January 2025, new commencements will be divided between Higher Education and VET:
Public universities will have a total of around 145,000 commencements.
Private universities and NUHEPs will have around 30,000.
VET providers will have around 95,000.
This means that most public universities in Australia will be able to enrol more new international students in 2025 than they did before the COVID-19 pandemic. Some universities will even welcome more new students in 2025 than in 2024.
Who is not affected?
Current international students will not be affected by these changes.
Other student cohorts that will not be affected by the NPL also include:
International students enrolled at an Australian provider or partner provider campus around the world, studying an Australian transnational education (TNE) or twinning program
School students
Higher degree by research students
‘Standalone’ ELICOS students
Non-award, including Study Abroad and Exchange students
Australian Government sponsored (and partner sponsored) scholars
Australia values and welcomes international students
International students from all over the world are welcomed and valued in Australia. International students bring new ideas and skills to our society, diverse perspectives to our classrooms and communities, and sought-after talent to Australia’s workforce.
There are many benefits to studying in a smaller student city in Australia. One advantage can be a cheaper cost of living compared to larger cities.
There are incredible benefits to studying in smaller student cities in Australia (also known as regional cities or centres). But it’s not just the relaxed lifestyle, unique environments and friendly communities in smaller cities that attract many international students each year. There are also some financial advantages.
If you’re thinking of studying in Australia, here’s a guide to help you understand how much your everyday life might cost if you choose a smaller city.
What are the smaller cities of Australia?
n general terms, smaller cities and major towns are those located outside of Australia’s major cities (Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane).
The map below shows all the places across Australia where you can study:
The Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs have created categories for the cities of Australia. This serves as a guide for the different incentives that are offered for studying in smaller cities and regional centres. For example, one of these incentives is additional post study work rights.
Cost of living
Some smaller student cities will have a similar cost of living to the major cities. But most do have more affordable rental accommodation, transport and entertainment options.
The cost of groceries won’t change too much from city to city across Australia, especially if you shop at one of the major supermarkets that operates nationally. However, you can usually find local markets with cheaper fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products.
How to research the cost of living in smaller cities
It’s very important to understand how much it costs to live in Australia so that you can plan to have enough money while you study.
1. Get an estimate of your salary
Start by working out how much money you could earn by working while you study, in line with your student visa conditions. Here are some ways to get an estimate of your potential earnings:
Go to a job search site such as SEEK.com and look at part-time and casual jobs that you could do when studying. Some ads will offer a salary guide.
You can only work up to 48 hours in a fortnight during study terms and semesters (unlimited during study breaks).
That’s why it’s important to come to Australia with some savings.
2. Use the Cost of Living Calculator
You can get an estimate of the cost of living in the major regional cities (Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Darwin and Hobart) using our Cost of living calculator. The major cities (Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney) are also included in this tool so you can compare costs with some of the smaller student cities.
Check out the websites for major grocery stores in Australia such as Coles, Aldi and Woolworths to get an idea of how much your weekly groceries would cost.
5. Compare accommodation costs
When choosing where to study, accommodation is one of the most important considerations. The good news is that smaller student cities often have a wider variety of housing options and less competition for rental accommodation.
Start your education journey to Australia today. Use our Course Search tool to look at courses in the smaller cities. You can also use our university list as a guide.
In 15 August 2024, South Australia announced the state nominated skilled migration program for 2024-2025.
There are 464 occupations are available for the onshore streams and 427 occupations are open for the offshore stream. With onshore stream, there are 3 sub-streams for the applicants who meet requirements can submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) through one of the following streams:
Skilled Employment in South Australia stream – for applicants who have shown commitment to South Australia and have South Australian work experience in their skilled occupation.
South Australian Graduates stream – for applicant have graduated and work in SA in their skilled occupation.
Outer Regional Skilled Employment stream – for skilled migrants who are currently living and working in an outer regional area of South Australia in their nominated occupation may be eligible for state nomination through the Outer Regional Skilled Employment stream.
The general eligible under those streams are:
Have an active EOI on Department of Home Affairs’ SkillSelect system
Currently live and work in South Australia
The applicant’s nominated occupation is eligible under the eligible stream on South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List
Be under 45 years of age at time of state nomination is approved
Have a valid and positive skills assessment
Have at least Competent English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent)
Score at least 65 points in the Department of Home Affairs’ points test (including state nomination points)
Apart from those general requirement, each streams has it own requirement as following:
Skilled Employment in South Australia stream: The applicant have been residing and working in South Australia for at least the last 12 months, in a full-time (at least 30 hours per week) job.
Australian Graduates stream:
The applicant have completed their qualification at a South Australian education provider
Have resided in South Australia for at least one year during their studies
Have been residing and working in South Australia for at least the last 6 months in a full-time job (at least 30 hours per week).
Outer Regional Skilled Employment stream: The applicant ave been living and working in Outer Regional SA for the last 9 months, and be currently employed, in a full-time job (at least 30 hours per week).
For the prospective skill migrants currently residing offshore and would like to apply for the Offshore stream, South Australia will be assessing candidates on merit by the following factors:
English language ability
Skilled employment years (at least 3 to 5 years) and field of skilled employment
EOI points
Quota for visa 190/491 for South Australia are 3.800 slots
Victoria’s 2024-25 skilled visa nomination program (subclass 190 and subclass 491) is opened from 14 August 2024.
The Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs has allocated 5,000 skilled visa nomination places to Victoria for the 2024-25 program.
Victoria’s allocation consists of:
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) – 3,000 places
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – 2,000 places
There are some changes in the 2024-25 FY:
Submitting a Registration of Interest (ROI):
To be invited to apply for Victorian skilled visa nomination, applicant must firstly make or update an Expression of Interest (EOI) via the Australian Government’s SkillSelect and then submit ROI.
All Registrations of Interest submitted in previous years have expired. The applicant must submit a new ROI
Employment requirement
For visa 190, there is no minimum work experience and hours of work requirement. If the applicant is living in Victoria and not working, working in non-skilled employment, or working for an employer not physically located in Victoria, they are still eligible to apply for nomination, but they are not eligible to claim earnings in their ROI. If they are living overseas, they are not required to claim earnings in their ROI.
For visa 491, if the applicant is living in Victoria, they must provide an estimate of their annual earnings in their ROI. If they are not working, working in non-skilled employment, or working for an employer who is not physically located in regional Victoria, they are not eligible to apply for nomination. If they are living overseas, they are not required to claim earnings in their ROI.
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