June 2025 wrap-up

• • As we passed the halfway mark of 2025, we were thrilled to see more visa grants in June across the SID and TSS (subclass 482), ENS (subclass 186), Temporary Graduate (subclass 485), and Student (subclass 500) visa categories, along with more successful Australian citizenship applications.

• • As in previous years, the Department of Home Affairs (‘DHA’) has increased most visa application charges. The adjustment, which came into effect from 1 July, aligns with the 2023–2024 Consumer Price Index (‘CPI’) and reflects the standard indexation process. One of the most notable changes was to the Student (subclass 500) visa, with the application charge rising from AU$1,600 to AU$2,000 – a significant 25% increase. In addition, new income thresholds for skilled visa pathways also took effect from 1 July 2025:
    
    ♦  Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT): AU$73,150 → AU$76,515 (affecting the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand (‘SID’) [subclass 482] visa and Employer Nomination Scheme (‘ENS’) [subclass 186] visa);
    
    ♦  Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT): AU$135,000 → AU$141,210 (affecting the Specialist Skills stream of the SID [subclass 482] visa);
    
    ♦  Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT): AU$73,150 → AU$76,515 (affecting the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional [subclass 494] visa).
    

• • Hospitality giant Merivale is once again under renewed scrutiny following a Fair Work Australia investigation into claims of underpayment of migrant workers, including eight chefs from Mexico who allege they were recruited under false pretences. Central to the allegations is the claim that staff were required to work excessive hours – well beyond standard full-time hours as prescribed by law in Australia – while the company pursued sizeable expansions in both Sydney and Melbourne. The chefs reportedly worked more than 60 hours per week without penalty rates, covering staffing shortfalls in high-pressure environments, along with alleged workplace bullying and discrimination. Many stayed silent out of fear that Merivale could cancel their visa sponsorship at a moment’s notice, which could force them to leave the country. Australian immigration law can be complex and difficult to navigate for both employers and workers. Employer sponsors are held to a number of different sponsorship obligations, and compliance with these is an essential focus of the Australian Border Force. That’s where we can step in, offering clarity, guidance and support. If you need assistance, we’re always just a phone call or email away.

• • Each year, the Economist Intelligence Unit (‘EIU’) – a sister organization to The Economist magazine – publishes the Global Liveability Index, ranking 173 major cities worldwide based on quality of life. The index evaluates cities across key categories: stability, infrastructure, culture, healthcare, education, and environment. For the past three years, Vienna, Austria, held the top spot as the world’s most liveable city. However, in 2025, it was overtaken by Copenhagen, Denmark. Australia performed strongly, with three cities in the top 10: Melbourne retained its 4th-place ranking, Sydney rose from joint 7th to 6th, and Adelaide secured 9th place. Switzerland is the only other country with more than one city in the top 10 – Zurich and Geneva both made the list. Outside the top 10, Perth and Brisbane also fared well, placing 15th and 16th, respectively. No other nation has three cities ranked that highly, confirming what our clients already know – that Australia is a great place to live!

That’s the Nomos wrap-up for June. See you next month!

*All information is general information only, as at the date of publication, and should not be interpreted as legal advice. For an accurate and current assessment of your circumstances and visa options, please contact us to receive this advice.