⁠Australia Work Permit Changes From 2026: New Skill In Demand Visa Rule Signed!

From 2026 onwards the existing work visa in Australia will be replaced with the new skills in demand visa. This ⁠Australia Work Permit Changes From 2026 will have three streams, including a critical industry, a fast-track rule for high-earning specialists, and a core stream for needed jobs like nursing. Moreover, applicants only need to have one year of experience and not two years. The new National Innovation Visa is for top professionals and entrepreneurs who are invited to become permanent residents. 

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To prevent the use of the migration system in Australia, their government introduced the new work permit changes. The new short-stay visa will also be allowed to be used only once a year instead of for long-term work. For all international students in Australia, the work visa age limit is now lowered from the age of 50 to 35 now. According to the new no visa hopping rules, people will not be allowed to switch from a visitor or graduate visa to a student visa while they are already in Australia. 

⁠Australia Work Permit Changes From 2026

Certain financial thresholds are also updated, after which the minimum salary for the core skill stream will be $76,515. The government of Australia also changed their program allocation, decreasing the space for independent work visas, which focuses more on employer-sponsored regional visas. The Working Holiday visa now uses a lottery for applicants from popular countries. Overall, the ⁠Australia Work Permit Changes From 2026 focus more on employer-sponsored workers and filling urgent job gaps.

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Australia Work Permit Rules In 2026

New Work Permit Rules In Australia From 2026

• A new “Skills in Demand” visa with three streams replaces the old 482 visa.
• The required work experience is now reduced from two years to one year.
• A new system is introduced for the working holiday visa from high-demand countries.
• For post-study work the new age limit is now reduced from 50 years to 35 years.
• The immigration program focuses more on employer-sponsored and regional visas.

What Is The New Skill In Demand Visa Rule

• It will reduce the temporary skilled worker shortage visa for subclass 482.
• It will have three new streams: critical industry, high-earning specialist and fast-track rule.
• The new required work experience is also reduced from two years to one year.
• The Specialist Skills Stream offers 7-day processing for high earners.
• To change employers more easily, it will give workers more flexibility. 

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FAQs: ⁠Australia Work Permit Changes From 2026

What is the new work experience required under the work permit changes in Australia?

The new required work experience is also reduced from two years to one year.

What is the post-study work visa age limit from 2026 in Australia?

For post-study work the new age limit is now reduced from 50 years to 35 years.

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What are the new work permit streams in Australia from 2026 onwards?

It will have three new streams: critical industry, high-earning specialist and fast-track rule.

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