OMARA Suspends Migration Agent for Six Months Over Professional Failures

A registered migration agent has been suspended for six months after the migration regulator found failures in client communication, regulatory compliance and professional conduct. The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) imposed the suspension on 18 February 2026. The Authority confirmed the suspension will remain in place until the agent meets specified conditions.…

NSW to Issue Subclass 190 Visa Invitations in Early March Round

Investment NSW will invite skilled migrants to apply for the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa in early March, urging candidates to update SkillSelect profiles by 1 March 2026. The invitation round, scheduled for the first week of March, will target eligible applicants seeking nomination from NSW under its Skilled Migration Program. Authorities said invitations will…

Australian Border Force Detains Four in Far North Queensland Crackdown on Migrant Worker Exploitation

Australian Border Force officers have detained four high-priority unlawful non-citizens in Far North Queensland during a major operation targeting migrant exploitation, visa fraud and criminal syndicates profiting from illegal labour. The operation, led by the Department of Home Affairs, focused on immigration non-compliance and the abuse of vulnerable migrant workers, particularly those engaged under the…

Australia Moves Migration Reviews to Paper-Based Decisions Under New Tribunal Bill

The government has passed a bill allowing visa reviews to be decided ‘on the papers’ without oral hearings. The changes aim to speed up tribunal processes and formalise paper-based decision-making. The Administrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 amends two key laws to streamline decision-making. The Bill expands the Administrative Review Tribunal Act…

OMARA Bans Agent for Five Years

Australia’s migration regulator has barred a registered migration agent for five years after finding serious misconduct that undermined the integrity of the migration system. The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) cancelled the agent’s registration on 9 January 2026 following an investigation into multiple breaches of professional obligations. OMARA found the agent lodged…

Australia Day 2026 Sees National Rallies on Identity and Immigration

Thousands of Australians joined ‘Invasion Day’ rallies and anti-immigration protests on January 26, highlighting tensions over Indigenous rights, immigration and national identity during Australia Day celebrations. At Sydney’s Hyde Park, the annual ‘Invasion Day’ rally began with a tribute to victims of last week’s NSW rural shooting, drawing thousands of participants advocating for Indigenous rights.…