From 25 November 2023, eligible workers on Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visas have access to a pathway to permanent residency through new migration laws, which were announced in April 2023.
The new laws, which are contained in 'Migration Amendment (Expanding Access to Temporary Residence Transition Stream) Regulations 2023' legislation, also reduce the period of required employment from three to two years.
Previously, only TSS workers in the Medium-Term Stream were given access to permanent residency, but that has now been expanded to workers in the Short-Term Stream, states a Migration Alert from MinterEllison.
According to Foreign Affairs Department data, in 2022-23, 347 aged care workers came to Australia on TSS visas. In the last five years, more than 1,200 aged care workers have entered Australia on the visas.
With Australia's direct care workforce shortage estimated at more than 17,000, migration is seen as one of the key ways to get more workers into the sector. To this end, the Government has been developing its migration strategy, with a particular focus on expanding eligibility for permanent residency. For example, the new Aged Care Labour Agreements provide a fast-tracked tracked two-year pathway to permanent residency for eligible visa holders.
The Government is expected to announce the final details of its Migration Strategy in December 2023.
