Visa changes that benefit healthcare workers and nurses moving to Australia

New visa conditions and pathways bring more opportunities for healthcare professionals relocating to Australia. Find out how these changes could impact your career.

The new SID visa replaces the 482 visa with three pathways based on earnings, as follows:

1. Specialist Skills: for top professionals earning more than $135,000.
2. Core Skills: For essential roles earning $70,000 to $135,000.
3. Essential Skills: For critical industries with workers earning under $70,000 (has stricter oversight).

All pathways offer up to four years of residence and a route to permanent residency.

Updated Occupation Lists for Australia work visas

The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) replaces the outdated Short Term and Medium Term lists. It covers 456 occupations and provides better alignment with Australia’s current workforce needs.

In particular, the healthcare sector benefits significantly, as the list emphasizes high-demand roles such as nurses, aged care workers, and allied health professionals.

This change ensures that visa applicants in healthcare roles have a smoother pathway to migration by addressing gaps in the system.

Simplified Labour Market Testing Requirements

Recent changes to Labour Market Testing (LMT) requirements simplify the hiring process for Australian employers:

1. Employers no longer need to advertise on the Workforce Australia platform;
2. LMT validity has been extended from four to six months, reducing administrative work.

For healthcare workers and employers, this means fast recruitment and more opportunities for sponsored positions.

Changes to Visa Conditions 8107, 8607 and 8608

The visa updates introduce new conditions for improved compliance:

• Condition 8107: Visa holders can work only for their sponsoring employer unless granted authorization.
• Condition 8607: Visa holders are required to maintain relevant qualifications or licenses for their role.
• Condition 8608: Provides flexibility to change roles or employers, as long as visa requirements are still met.

Healthcare workers must understand these changes to avoid accidental breaches that could impact their visa status.

Transition to a Multi-year Migration Planning Model

The four-year migration planning horizon introduces greater stability and predictability for migrants and employers, with a focus on addressing long-term workforce needs, especially in healthcare.

• The government can strategically adjust visa quotas and priorities to meet evolving demands.
• For healthcare professionals, it means improved access to visas and permanent residency, aligned with Australia’s demand for skilled workers
• Employers in the healthcare sector benefit from consistent migration strategies, reducing uncertainty and ensuring a steady supply of qualified workers.

Next Steps

If you are looking to relocate to Australia for work, get in touch with our team.

Get started with a relocation consultation:

As recruitment and relocation specialists, NexVentur can assist you in finding the right job plus we’ll help get you there. Our services include:

• Recruitment in Ireland and Australia
• Arranging your visas
• Assisting with professional registrations
• Flights with extra baggage, priority boarding and lounge access
• Setting up your overseas bank account
• Setting up your Australian Tax File Number (TFN) or PPS number
• Money transfer
• Irish mortgages
• Assisting with move logistics
• Relocation advice – all members of our team have relocated at least once in our lives, so we know how it feels and the challenges you face.
• Book a consultation with our team and let’s help you get started on your next adventure.