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…
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…
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…
Tasmania has increased its skilled migration allocation to 2,050 places for 2026-27, creating more opportunities for eligible skilled workers seeking state nomination under subclasses 190 and 491. Tasmania has received 2,050 skilled migration nomination places for the 2026-27 program year, representing an increase of 200 places from the 1,850 places allocated in 2025-26. The expanded…
Australian skilled visa applicants may wait anywhere between 4 months and nearly 2 years for a decision, depending on the visa subclass they apply for, according to the latest processing times published by the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA). Skilled migration applicants who have qualifications or experience in an eligible skilled occupation and meet all…
The Australian Government has extended the Goldfields Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) until 31 December 2026, allowing eligible regional employers continued access to overseas workers to address workforce shortages. The Australian Government has confirmed the extension of the Goldfields DAMA until 31 December 2026, providing certainty for employers across the Goldfields region that rely on…
Australia increased visa application charges for many popular visa subclasses from 1 July 2026, with most government fees rising by 25%, making careful budgeting more important than ever. Anyone planning to lodge an Australian visa application should check the latest government charges before applying. While annual fee indexation is expected, the increases that took effect…
Australia has issued 10,000 invitations in the latest SkillSelect invitation round for Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa, with invitation scores ranging from 65 to 100 points across more than 100 occupations. The Department of Home Affairs published the results of the 4 June 2026 SkillSelect invitation round for the subclass 189 visa, inviting 10,000 prospective…