Key Migration Law Updates from the Law Council Conference – Grace’s Takeaways

Between the 19th and the 21st of March 2025, Grace attended a conference hosted by the Law Council of Australia’s Federal Dispute Resolution Section in Canberra. Over those 3 days, many topics relating to Australian Migration Law were discussed. Grace found this conference very informative and was able to discuss migration matters with people in the industry.

Here were her biggest takeaways from the conference:

• As of 28 February 2025, there are 122 Aged Care Labour Agreements (ACILAs) in effect.

  In the 2024/25 financial year (to date):

  ✅ 1,078 Temporary Residency visas have been granted.

  ✅ 210 Permanent Residency visas have been approved.

• From the 1st of July 2025, the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) will increase from $73,150 to $76,515.

• From the 1st of July 2025, the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) will increase from $135,000 to $141,210.

• If someone is holding either a Subclass 482 or Subclass 494 visa and they leave their sponsoring employer, they can work for their new sponsoring employer for more than the 180-day cap as long as they have lodged their new nomination prior to the 180-day limit.

• If a temporary skilled visa holder was to change their occupation to a related occupation (get a promotion) in the duration of their temporary visa, they can still apply for a permanent residency visa under the TRT stream as experience from both occupations will be recognised.

• A Department of Home Affairs case officer has just 17 minutes to decide on a Subclass 500 – Student Visa and 22 minutes for a Subclass 407 – Training Visa. Both of these visa types have a high refusal rate.