Big changes to Australian visa rules took effect on July 1, 2025 – here's what you need to know
Skilled Visas
As of July 1, skilled visa income thresholds have increased by 4.6 per cent, requiring employers to pay new visa applicants a higher minimum salary to match wage growth for Aussie workers. The Core Skills and Temporary Skilled Migration thresholds have risen from $73,150 to $76,515, while the Specialist Skills threshold has been increased from $135,000 to $141,210.
Visa Application Fees
In line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), application fees for most visa subclasses have risen by three per cent. For instance, the Employer Nomination Scheme and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional fees have increased from $4,770 to $4,910, the Training Visa fee has gone up from $415 to $430, and the Partner Visa has risen from $9,095 to $9,365.
Student Visas
As part of the new federal government scheme, student visa application fees have seen a sharp rise, increasing by 25 per cent from $1,600 to $2,000 – well above the standard 3 per cent CPI adjustment. Additionally, prospective international students are now required to submit a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), with offer letters no longer accepted. There are also changes to work rights: undergraduate students can now work up to 24 hours per week (up from the previous 20-hour limit), while postgraduates have unlimited work rights. Finally, students will no longer be able to extend their visas onshore; if your visa expires, you'll need to reapply from outside Australia.
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