Then last summer, while I was preparing to move to Australia, I found out that they had made some big changes to the Subclass 399 Work Visa program that would force me to shift my strategy towards application.
I’ve been there myself, so I’m going to share some things with you that could save you weeks of frustration and thousands of dollars in consulting fees.
Changes to Australian Work Visa
On 11 February 2025, The Department of Home Affairs announced the largest reforms to Australia’s Subclass 399 Work Visa in nearly 10 years.
These changes come as Australia is also moving aggressively to fix major skills gaps while restricting migration channels more broadly.
Former Immigration Minister James Sutherland referred to these changes as “necessary realignments to ensure Australia’s continued economic growth while protecting the integrity of our borders.
” The shake-ups respond to increasing pressure from both industry that demands skilled labor and from the public concerned about population strain on infrastructure and housing.
I remember talking to Melissa Chen, a Sydney based migration agent, who said “these new requirements pose barriers and opportunities, depending on your situation and skill set.”
Main Changes to Eligibility Criteria
The new framework brings along several fundamental changes that all prospective applicants need to understand:
Points Threshold Adjustment
The minimum points requirement rose from 65 to 80 points — a revision some say caught them mid-application by surprise. This huge boost is evidence of Australia’s shift to attracting just our best and brightest.
When I initially started exploring my options, the lower threshold felt within reach. Now, candidates must score points in every possible category.
Under this new regime, English language ability, qualifications and work experience are given even greater weight.
Skills Assessment Validity Period
The skills assessments, once valid for three years, now expire in 18 months. This reduced timeline provides a smaller application window for those who completed assessments under the old regulations.
My colleague Sam had his skills assessment — which had been valid for nearly two years — unexpectedly declared invalid and he was forced to undertake the complete process once more at great cost. The lesson here is simple; timing is everything.
Expanded Occupation List with Higher Thresholds
Although the occupation list now boasts 27 additional professions — especially in healthcare, advanced manufacturing and sustainability sectors — the frameworks for each has grown stricter at the same time.
The new list features a number of entries, including:
Renewable energy engineers
Specialists in healthcare technology
→ Professionals in Quantum Computing
Advanced manufacturing technicians
Cybersecurity architects
But with all this expansion comes stricter qualification verification processes. My engineering credentials had more layers of authentication that simply weren’t available in the old system.
— Advertise across three separate platforms (two previously)
Increasing the ad period from 28 days to 60 days (previously 28)
Detailed record of all Australian candidates interviewed and clear rationale for rejection
When I was applying for jobs, my prospective employer was required to submit almost twice the documentation than before, delaying my hiring by almost 3 months.
Re Structure of Regional Incentives Regional Incentives Restructuring
Work has been done to help encourage growth across the country where local clusters of the economy are needed, which the government has now reconfigured through incentives. Those who are ready to work in specified regional areas get:
– 15 extra points (originally 10)
— Speedier processing in the form of visas (priority processing)
Road to permanent residency in three years instead of four
At the same time, “regional Australia” has been redefined more narrowly, with the former “regional” classification for several areas being downgraded to “metropolitan”.
Payment Structure and Financial Obligations
1: Subclass 399 visa — more hoops to jump through but also more opportunities.
Restructuring of Application Fees
Basic application fees have raised close to 17% across the board, taking the standard application to AUD 4,780 The list of visa application fees is available above, while Rushda applicants over 18 years of age pay AUD 2,390 each and those under 18 years pay AUD 1,195.
What’s easy to miss is the new tiered processing system. Your processing time depends on the visa stream; standard can take anywhere from 9 to 12 months, whereas priority processing (for an additional AUD 2,500) should have you a decision in about 4 to 6 weeks. This results in a two-tiered system that benefits those with money.
Financial Capacity Eligibility Criteria
Now applicants must provide evidence showing they have access of AUD 25,000 (increased from AUD 20,000) for principal applicants, and need AUD 10,000 for accompanying partner and AUD 5,000 for each dependent child.
This money must be liquid and accessible for at least six months before applying.
The verification process is tougher now than before. At the time I submitted my application, about 20% of applications were subject to random audits.
Economic authorities now comb through bank statements with a forensic microscope, closely studying transaction patterns to ensure that funds have not been temporarily borrowed.
Provisions on Health Insurance
The role of comprehensive health insurance coverage has shifted from a gold standard recommendation to an essential necessity with benchmark minimum insurance coverage levels:
Hospital treatment with at least AUD 1,000,000 coverage
At least AUD 100,000 general treatment coverage (dental, optical)
Excess/Deductible up to a maximum of AUD 1,000
Writing the policy ahead of issuance, but unable to purchase it until you get approved, makes for a tough timing situation that many will struggle to overcome.
Changes in Timeline for Processing
There has been significant restructuring of the processing framework, which will present both challenges and opportunities for applicants who have done their homework.
Preliminary Assessment
Applications now go through a first review within 4 weeks of submission—a new step to quickly flag incomplete applications. About 30% of applications are sent “Request for Further Information” notices during this stage, typically regarding:
Authenticating the documentation
Confirmation of financial history
— Employment reference check
The thing is, I submitted my own application for employment verification as well, and that request for information added about three weeks to my timeline even though I had assembled, in my opinion, substantial documentation.
Main Assessment Timeframe
For all but the preliminary phase applications, the core evaluation is now weighted as follows, on average:
7-9 months for regular processing
– 4-6 weeks for expedited handling
3-5 months for applicants from regional area (standard processing)
These time frames are huge stretches from historic averages before the reforms, when standard processing times averaged 4-6 months. This expansion captures higher application volumes and heavy scrutiny of each application.
After Approval Requirements
A less noted but vitally important change is in the post-approval requirements. Visa holders will now be required to check in with the Department within 28 days of arrival in Australia (down from 90 days) and complete an in-person verification process at specified offices.
Visa holders also cannot switch employer in the first 12 months without department approval — a ban that previously only affected certain categories of occupations.
Strategic Approaches for Potential Candidates
With these broad changes coming through, the Subclass 399 pathway can only be availed strategically and with the right preparation.
Opportunities to Enhance Your Skills
The high points requirement means you have to develop your skills in a strategic way. Consider:
Higher points for high-level English testing (Superior English results now 20 points instead of 15)
Professional Year Programs (now 10 points, increased from 5)
Australian qualification completions (especially in shortage),
In my own case, I underwent intensive preparation for IELTS, which resulted in a band score that earned me those critical extra points; an investment that ultimately made the difference in my successful application.
Documentation Preparation
The increased scrutiny requires careful documentation:
Job history references should contain full job titles and descriptions, hours worked, salary, and contact numbers for reference police.
Comprehensive course descriptions must accompany academic transcripts
There should a consistent pattern with financial records with no large unexplained deposits
In preparing my own application, I put together a detailed portfolio of evidence running over 80 pages — considerably more than would have been required in accordance with earlier guidance.
Timing Considerations
The timing — and timing tags — has become ever more critical:
Skills assessments should be as timely as possible from application submission
Early planning of labor market testing
Financial documentation should show history well beyond the minimum six-month requirement
Some teammates applying around the same time as I had their requirements altered while their applications were pending, especially those who postponed submitting their skills assessment.
Implications for Certain Categories of Applicants
These changes present unique challenges and opportunities across various applicant profiles.
Healthcare Professionals
For medical practitioners, nurses and allied health professionals, the path is simpler, with:
Faster rights assessments
Adapted English needs centred on clinical communication
Fee-exempt priority processing
Yet, the registration requirements of the regulatory bodies have also increased, particularly the scrutiny given to overseas qualifications and clinical experience.
Applicants for the technology sector
The tech sector has a mixed picture:
Broadened scope of allowable occupations, especially in critical sectors like cybersecurity, AI, and quantum computing
Greater minimum experience requirements (typically 3+ years now)
Increased priority on formal qualifications relative to self-taught skills
At networking events in Australia, I spoke to many technology professionals grappling with issues such as the relationship between industry certifications and formal qualifications.
Trades and Construction
Applicants for crafts facing major changes include:
Skills demonstrations beyond certification are required
Testing of knowledge on Australian Standards
Stricter verification of safety qualification
This is highlighted by a construction manager I met during orientation who was asked to go through the same safety certification that so many were complaining about despite having 15 years of international experience behind him just to meet these enhanced requirements.
Long-Term Implications and Considerations
As prospective migrants look towards these opportunities for immediate application, they should also consider the long-term implications.
Ways to a Green Card
The pathway relationship between Subclass 399 and permanent residency pathways has been reshuffled:
– Regional work for three years now allows eligibility for permanent residency streams
The employer nomination requirements have been standardized
Points-tested streams no longer closely aligned with your initial visa requirements
Family Considerations
Family inclusion provisions evolved subtly:
Partner skills assessments are now weighted more heavily in the overall points
Age limits on dependent children still under 23
Family pathways are more restricted
Future-proofing your application
As the migration landscape in Australia continues to change, building flexibility into your migration strategy is key:
Google skills needed in nearby job categories
Documentation of continuous professional development
Connect with industry networks across Australia prior to arrival
The reconstituted Subclass 399 landscape is both challenge and opportunity. While requirements have certainly become stricter, the path remains open to well-prepared applicants with in-demand skills.
I went through this process when my kid was younger and my best advice would be a deep preparation. Those days when borderline applications could succeed as long as they showed some effort are over.
The successful applicants are well-qualified, financially secure and committed to sharing in Australia’s economic future.
This is only one element of a gradual shift in Australia to a more selective, more quality-focused migration system that prioritizes enduring economic value over numbers.
For those prepared to converge on these inflated standards, fantastic professional and lifestyle prospects remain in repetitive Australia.
Whether you’re considering applying or are already in the middle of the process, knowing these new parameters isn’t just helpful — it’s essential.
The new framework of the Subclass 399 pathway requires more of entrants but will reward them with greater stability and opportunity if they can successfully navigate its requirements.
