Australia has launched the Skills in Demand (SID) visa, replacing the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa, to address workforce shortages and streamline the immigration process. Effective from December 2024, this new visa allows professionals to work for up to four years (five years for Hong Kong passport holders) with eligibility for permanent residency. With a starting fee of AUD3,115 (approximately INR 168,966), the SID visa offers unmatched flexibility and career opportunities.
The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), introduced alongside the SID visa, consolidates over 450 job roles across diverse sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and cybersecurity. This move aims to prioritize critical workforce gaps while broadening opportunities for skilled workers. Notably, India, a key contributor to Australia’s skilled workforce, benefits significantly from these reforms, with over 976,000 Indians already residing in the country.
The SID visa further reduces barriers to permanent residency by shortening the required work experience to one year in a relevant field. Combined with Australia’s supportive immigration framework, including the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), this visa reflects Australia’s proactive approach to building a global, skilled workforce.
Australia Skills in Demand Visa
| Work Rights | Up to 4 years; 5 years for Hong Kong passport holders. |
| Travel | Unlimited travel during visa validity. |
| Permanent Residency | Available based on employment history and work experience. |
| Cost | Application fee starting at AUD3,115. |
The SID visa provides a range of benefits, making it a highly attractive option for skilled professionals.
- Work and Residency Opportunities – The SID visa allows applicants to work in Australia for up to four years, with an extension of five years for Hong Kong passport holders. This extended duration provides job stability and makes applicants eligible for permanent residency based on their employment history.
- Travel and Mobility Benefits – Visa holders can enjoy unlimited travel to and from Australia during the visa’s validity. This benefit facilitates seamless professional and personal commitments, particularly for those with families or international responsibilities.
- Financial Aspects – With an application fee starting at AUD3,115, the SID visa offers a competitive pathway for skilled professionals. This fee supports access to Australia’s robust employment market and advanced infrastructure.
Eligibility Criteria for the SID Visa
To ensure a skilled and competitive workforce, the SID visa has clearly defined eligibility requirements:
Role Nomination and Work Experience
Applicants must be nominated for a role listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and have at least one year of relevant work experience in the field. This ensures only qualified professionals are considered.
Skills Assessment and Language Proficiency
Meeting the skills assessment standards is mandatory for most roles. Applicants must also demonstrate English proficiency unless exemptions apply. This standard helps maintain Australia’s high professional benchmarks.
Employer Sponsorship and Exclusivity
Visa holders are required to work exclusively for their sponsoring employer, ensuring employer-employee alignment and stability. Exemptions may apply in certain circumstances.
Streams Under the SID Visa
The SID visa has been designed with three specialized streams, each targeting distinct workforce needs:
Core Skills Stream
This stream addresses Australia’s critical workforce shortages by allowing skilled professionals to fill high-demand roles across key sectors.
Specialist Skills Stream
Focusing on high-paying roles, this stream requires a minimum income threshold of AUD135,000, making it ideal for innovation-driven industries like technology and research.
Labour Agreement Stream
Currently transitioning to the Essential Skills Stream, this caters to roles covered under specific agreements with Australian employers or industries.
Additional Insights
Each stream under the SID visa aligns with Australia’s labour market demands. The Specialist Skills Stream, for instance, is geared towards attracting professionals in STEM, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing, aligning with Australia’s focus on innovation.
Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
The CSOL, integral to the SID visa, consolidates over 450 occupations across multiple sectors, ensuring targeted recruitment for critical roles.
Key Sectors and Roles
- Healthcare: Registered nurses, medical practitioners, aged care workers.
- Agriculture: Farm managers, agricultural scientists, and consultants.
- Technology: Cybersecurity analysts, software developers.
- Hospitality: Accommodation and hospitality managers.
- Aviation: Aircraft maintenance engineers.
Expansion of Opportunities
The inclusion of a broad array of roles reflects Australia’s focus on economic recovery and development. For instance, cybersecurity roles are prioritized due to increasing global security threats, while agricultural roles aim to address food security challenges.
Transition from TSS to SID
The transition from the TSS visa to the SID visa ensures minimal disruption for current applicants.
Application Transition Details
- Applications lodged under the TSS visa before December 7, 2024, will adhere to previous criteria.
- Nominations without a corresponding visa application will automatically shift to the SID framework.
Streamlined Process
This transition highlights Australia’s efforts to simplify immigration pathways while addressing workforce needs efficiently.
Opportunities for Permanent Residency
The SID visa provides a shortened work experience requirement for permanent residency, setting it apart from its predecessor.
One-Year Work Requirement
Applicants with one year of relevant work experience qualify for permanent residency. This reduces the overall time required for skilled migrants to settle permanently in Australia.
Benefits for Employers
Employers benefit from retaining experienced professionals who have already contributed to their businesses, strengthening Australia’s economy and workforce.
Impact on the Indian Community
The Indian community in Australia stands to gain significantly from the SID visa.
Demographic Insights
- Over 976,000 Indians reside in Australia, making them the second-largest overseas group.
- India is the second-largest source of international students, with 1,22,391 enrollments recorded in 2023.
Enhanced Mobility Through ECTA
The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) facilitates increased mobility for Indian professionals, including streamlined work and study opportunities.
The Skills in Demand visa represents a major step forward in Australia’s immigration policy. With its focus on filling critical workforce gaps, offering pathways to permanent residency, and streamlining processes for skilled migrants, the SID visa is poised to attract global talent. For Indian professionals, this visa not only opens doors to lucrative career opportunities but also strengthens the growing ties between India and Australia.