Correct. With the launch of the Skills in Demand (SID) visa (which replaced the old Subclass 482), the government slashed the minimum work experience requirement from two years down to just one year. This is a major win for mid-career professionals and recent graduates who previously found themselves “locked out” of sponsorship despite having an employer ready to sign them.

You cannot apply for it directly—you must be invited. The National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) replaced the old Global Talent program in late 2025. It targets four specific groups: global researchers, entrepreneurs, innovative investors, and high-level athletes/creatives. To get an invitation, you must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and prove you are an “internationally recognized” asset to the Australian economy.

While the government has set a “National Planning Level” of 295,000 student places for 2026, it doesn’t necessarily make getting a visa “harder” for high-quality applicants—it just makes it more competitive for certain institutions.

• Pro Tip: Public universities have larger allocations than private VET (vocational) providers.

• The GS Shift: Remember that the “Genuine Student” (GS) requirement now uses specific, targeted questions rather than a long-form essay. Keep your answers under the 150-word limit per question to avoid processing delays.

For the 2025–2026 program year, Australia introduced a ballot system for the Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa for specific countries, including India, China, and Vietnam. Instead of the “fastest fingers first” scramble when the portal opens, you now register for a random selection process. If you aren’t selected in the ballot, you cannot apply for the visa that year, so it’s vital to register during the specific 30-day windows announced by Home Affairs.