logo
What are the changes to student and employer-sponsored visas starting July 1?

What are the changes to student and employer-sponsored visas starting July 1?

SBS Australia2 days ago

The new student visa application fee is AUD $2,000, up from $1,600.
There are also changes to the salary or income threshold for the skilled stream, and a new minimum amount will be introduced.
Know the differences between the Core Skills Occupation List and other skilled occupation lists. 📢 Where to Catch SBS Filipino

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘Quiet crisis' playing out across Australian workplaces right now
‘Quiet crisis' playing out across Australian workplaces right now

News.com.au

time2 hours ago

  • News.com.au

‘Quiet crisis' playing out across Australian workplaces right now

A 'quiet crisis' is emerging across Australia as the world enters a new workforce era, with leaders warned that being unwilling to adapt could have serious consequences in the near future. The way we work has transformed dramatically in recent years, with the Covid-19 pandemic forcing people to adapt to new ways of working. Even though we are no longer in the thick of lockdowns and social distancing, the changes that occurred to workplaces during that period don't look like they are going away any time soon. For a lot of office-based employees, hybrid or remote work has become the norm and, despite a recent rise in company's issuing return to office mandates, Aussie workers won't give up their new-found flexibility easily. A new report from payroll and HR company, Deel, explores how workers are responding to shifting workplace conditions, including AI disruption, cost of living pressures, how they are being paid and the benefits they are receiving. More than 1000 full-time Australian office workers were surveyed as part of the 2025 Deel Australia Payday Expectations Report, revealing a widening gap between what employees want and what their employers are willing to give. Shannon Karaka, Deel's Country Leader for Australia, said one of the big things that was made clear in the report is that Aussie workers want more control, particularly when it comes to their pay. 'This report reveals a quiet crisis unfolding in workplaces, and the urgency for businesses to evolve – from modernising payroll to supporting financial resilience,' he said. 'Today's employees expect the same level of customisation and speed from their workplace benefits as they do from their favourite apps. 'We're seeing a growing demand for payroll to be a financial service, one that empowers employees with real-time access, flexibility, and greater control over their earnings.' Of those surveyed, 38 per cent said they want to be paid sooner than they currently are, this rises to 50 per cent among those struggling financially and 55 per cent for households earning under $50,000 a year. But it isn't just when they are being paid that they want more say on, it is also how they are being paid. Three in five said they would considered receiving part of their salary in non-traditional forms, such as stocks, shares or equity. Gen Z were most likely to consider alternative forms of payment, along with being the most likely age group to consider receiving cryptocurrency as part of their salary. The vast majority of those surveyed said they would want the option of customising their pay and benefits package, with 64 per cent saying they would trade paid leave benefits for a higher salary. Despite this, it is clear work-life balance is also a high priority, with two thirds of respondents ranking either flexible working hours or remote work options among their most important benefits in a job. One in four revealed they would also take lower pay in exchange for more flexibility. A whopping 78 per cent said they were willing to give up perks like gym access, free meals or company events for more flexible working conditions. Gen Z are also leading the charge in this area, with 90 per cent of respondents in this age group saying they would trade traditional benefits for more flexibility, compared to just 51 per cent of Baby Boomers. The results make it clear there is a growing disconnect between what is being offered and what workers actually want. Speaking to Mr Karaka that if this gap around compensation, benefits and flexibility continues to widen, we are going to see 'serious consequences across Australian workplaces'. He said companies that don't adapt to these changes will be 'left behind'. 'Retention will drop, engagement will suffer, and top talent – especially among younger generations – will walk away in favour of more progressive, flexible employers,' Mr Karaka said. 'The best thing employers can do right now is listen, and then act. The data is clear: employees want more flexibility, transparency, and control over how and when they're paid.' For those businesses that are willing to listen to employees and adapt accordingly, Mr Karaka suggested the first step is to modernise payroll systems. This could look like offering features such a s real-time pay, customisable benefits and financial wellness tools. However, he noted that none of these changes can happen without 'rebuilding trust', but ensuring there is always available to resolve issues and being transparent about how salaries and bonuses are calculated. 'This is about meeting employees where they are. Gen Z and Millennials, in particular, expect their workplace experience to match the speed and personalisation of the apps they use every day,' he said. 'Employers who embrace this shift won't just keep up, they'll lead.'

ATO data reveals the top 10 richest professions in Australia
ATO data reveals the top 10 richest professions in Australia

News.com.au

time2 hours ago

  • News.com.au

ATO data reveals the top 10 richest professions in Australia

Surgeons are the highest paid professionals in Australia, according to new data from the Australian Taxation Office. On Friday, the Australian Taxation Office released data from 2022-23 financial year breaking down what the wealthiest Australians do for a living. 'Since reporting started in 2010–11, surgeons have remained the highest paid occupation with the 4,247 individuals reporting an average taxable income of $472,475 in 2022–23,' the report read. Anaesthetist and financial dealer were in second and third place with $447,193 and $355,233 respectively. This was followed by internal medicine specialist in fourth with $342,457 and psychiatrist with $288,146. Here are the top 10 highest paid jobs in Australia: 1. Surgeon – $472,475 2. Anaesthetist – $447,193 3. Financial dealer – $355,233 4. Internal medicine specialist – $342,457 5. Psychiatrist – $288,146. 6. Other medical practitioners – $259,802 7. Mining engineer – $206,408 8. Judicial or other legal professionals – $206,408 9. CEO or managing director – $194,987 10. Financial investment adviser – $191,986 The ATO has also revealed Australia's richest postcodes. NSW dominates the list, with seven from the top ten located in the state. The postcode '2027' takes out the number one spot with the areas of Point Piper, Darling Point, Edgecliff and HMAS Rushcutters in Sydney's east. The postcode boasted an average taxable income of $279,712 among 5,841 inhabitants. This was followed by Double Bay (postcode 2028) and Woollahra (postcode 2025) in second and third place with $255,901 and $242,267 respectively, both in Sydney's eastern suburbs. The only two Victorian postcodes to make the list were the Hawksburn/ Toorak area in fourth with $241,511 and Portsea in seventh with $222,254. Top 10 wealthiest postcodes in Australia: 1. '2027' NSW: Darling Point, Edgecliff, HMAS Rushcutters, Point Piper – $279,712 2. '2028' NSW: Double Bay – $255,901 3. '2025' NSW: Woollahra – $242,267 4. '3142' Vic: Hawksburn, Toorak – $241,511 5. '2030' NSW: Dover Heights, Rose Bay North, Vaucluse, Watsons Bay – $236,750 6. '2108' NSW: Coasters Retreat, Palm Beach, Currawong Beach – $233,344 7. '3844' Vic: Portsea – $222,254 8. '2023' NSW: Bellevue Hill – $216,383 9. '6011' WA: Cottesloe, Peppermint Grove – $213,621 10. '2110' NSW: Hunters Hills, Woolwich – $208,902

Melbourne's Metro Rail Tunnel may not be fully operational when it opens, with report two stations are behind schedule
Melbourne's Metro Rail Tunnel may not be fully operational when it opens, with report two stations are behind schedule

ABC News

time2 hours ago

  • ABC News

Melbourne's Metro Rail Tunnel may not be fully operational when it opens, with report two stations are behind schedule

The Victorian Government has backed down from initial denials that Melbourne's $15 billion Metro Rail Tunnel project would not be fully operational when it opens at the end of the year. Nine newspapers have reported some train services will run through the nine-kilometre twin tunnels this year but peak hour services would divert to the City Loop until early 2026, despite the project being spruiked as opening this year. The report suggested the delay was due to construction of two of the project's five underground stations – Town Hall and State Library – failing to meet completion deadlines. Government frontbencher Steve Dimopoulos fronted the media on Saturday morning and initially said the report was wrong. But, when pushed by further questioning, changed his stance to suggest the article was 'pre-emptive'. 'We haven't landed the timetable,' Mr Dimopoulos said. Mr Dimopoulos said he did not expect any disappointment from commuters if services were not to run at full capacity. 'If you think of the complexity here … I don't think people are going to be anything but overjoyed when they walk through those five stations. 'This is a huge project, that's what I think people will be embracing.' He took a shot at the anonymous sources the newspaper article was based on. 'Anonymity comes with a lack of responsibility.' Metro Rail has notched up hundreds of millions of dollars in cost blow-outs and there were already known issues with station construction, including a shortage of construction workers, supply chain constraints and disruptions caused by COVID-19, that had pushed back the opening date from March 2025 to as far as the new year. Mr Dimopoulos said that deferred completion date should not be seen as a delay. 'When the government announced it in 2015 and you go back to those records, the premier then said it would be open in late 2026," he said. "It'll be open by the end of this year so it's a year early.' Opposition leader Brad Battin said the government had implied the project would be fully operational by this year.. "No one knows when it's going to open, no one knows which stations will open and no one knows how many trains will be able to go through during peak and off-peak times," he said. Mr Battin called on the government to guarantee it would not pay the builders any bonuses if they failed to complete the full project by the end of the year.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store