Two days after Minister Tony Burke set out a package of migration changes at the National Press Club on 17 September 2026, the Department of Home Affairs put one part of it into operation. From 19 September 2026, Ministerial Direction 119 (MD119), which had set the processing order for skilled visas since late July, no…
Organisations sponsoring participants under the Training visa (subclass 407) should be alert to a significant increase in nomination refusals and the potentially rapid refusal of the associated visa applications that follow. Following enquiries from the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA), the Department of Home Affairs has provided clarification about the scale of the issue and…
The Coalition has proposed cutting temporary migration by about 650,000 over four years while expanding selected skilled visa pathways and restricting student and graduate options. Australia’s Liberal-National Coalition has announced a migration plan that would significantly change how temporary visa holders enter, remain and work in Australia if implemented. The plan targets a reduction of…
Australia has announced changes affecting student families, visitor visas, Working Holiday Makers, skilled migration and visa overstayers, with several details still to be confirmed. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced the measures at the National Press Club on 17 September 2026 as the Government works to reduce net overseas migration (NOM). The changes could affect…
Schedule 3 can become relevant when a person applies for an onshore Partner (subclass 820) visa without holding a substantive visa. This is important because the subclass 820 visa is designed to be applied for in Australia, but being physically in Australia does not, by itself, mean that an applicant can satisfy all the requirements…
If you are planning to apply for an Australian Partner visa, understanding the eligibility requirements is an important first step. The requirements can vary depending on your relationship, where you are when you apply and the particular visa pathway available to you. In general, Partner visa applicants need to demonstrate a genuine relationship with an…
Yes, you can obtain Australian permanent residency through a Partner visa if you meet the eligibility requirements. In most cases, applicants first receive a temporary visa before becoming eligible for permanent residence. Australia’s Partner visa program allows eligible spouses and de facto partners of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens to…
VETASSESS will increase Professional Skills Assessment fees from 9 September 2026. Applications received before this date will remain subject to the current fees. Fees for Professional Skills Assessments will increase from 9 September 2026, according to VETASSESS. The changes will also affect Priority Processing, Skills Assessment Support, Chinese Qualifications Verification, non-migration skills assessments and administration…
Tasmania will reopen its Skilled Migration State Nomination Program on 17 August 2026 with revised priority scoring, updated eligibility rules, 2,050 nomination places and weekly invitation rounds. Tasmania has announced that its 2026-27 Skilled Migration State Nomination Program will open for new Registrations of Interest (ROIs) on 17 August 2026, introducing several changes that could…
Getting an Australian visa can take months of planning and paperwork. So, it can come as a shock to learn that a visa can still be cancelled after it has been granted. A cancelled visa can affect your right to stay in Australia, your future visa applications, and even your ability to come back later.…