Australian visas and immigration: Key changes to know regarding 482, 858, and student visas
Updated October 16, 2026. When researching Australian visas, it is essential to distinguish between programs currently accepting applications, programs closed to new applicants, and those under transition.
482 is now Skills in Demand
Skills in Demand (SID) replaced the TSS for new applications starting December 7, 2024. The streams are Core Skills, Specialist Skills, and Labour Agreement. Core/Specialist streams require at least 1 year of relevant experience and must meet other specified conditions.
2026–27 Income Thresholds
Nominations from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027: CSIT 79,423 AUD/year; SSIT 146,576 AUD/year. Market salary rates, occupation, sponsoring employer, and personal profiles must also be considered.
858 is now the National Innovation Visa
NIV is an invitation-based permanent residency pathway for internationally recognized exceptional achievement. Submitting an EOI does not guarantee an invitation or visa grant; once invited, you must apply within 60 days.
BIIP/188 closed to new applications
BIIP has been closed to new applications since July 31, 2024. Existing files continue according to regulations; 188 holders may need to check the appropriate 888 subclass. Do not use previous 188 investment advertisements for new clients.
Studying in Australia: check the document checklist
Do not rely on word-of-mouth national Level charts. The Department of Home Affairs does not publicly disclose the evidence levels of countries and educational institutions. Use the Document Checklist Tool based on your passport and intended institution. As of October 2, 2026, there are changes regarding the application/grant of 500/590 visas within Australia and the inclusion of family members; please verify before choosing your pathway.
Processing times and outcomes
Quotas, priority occupations, and processing times are subject to change. Check the visa webpage, processing-time guide, and official migration planning levels at the time; do not infer outcomes from previous years' data.
Government Sources
- SID Core Skills
- Salary Thresholds
- NIV
- BIIP closure
- Student checklist
- Student visa changes
- Migration Program Planning
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