New Skills Assessment Mandatory for Pathway 1 Trade Applicants From 2026

VETASSESS has announced that all Pathway 1 trade applicants must submit a Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Skills (LLND) assessment with their application from January 1, 2026. Pathway 1 is a route for trade skill assessment for people without Australian qualifications. The assessing authority confirmed the change applies to applicants lodging a Documentary Evidence Assessment…

NSW Confirms 3,600 Skilled Visa Places for 2025–2026: Invitations to Resume in January

NSW has fixed 3,600 skilled migration places for 2025–2026, restarting monthly invitations in January and opening two regional pathways on January 19. Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa NSW has allocated 2,100 places to the subclass 190 visa for the 2025–2026 program year. The state has already conducted three invitation rounds and filled about 25% of…

Coalition signals tougher language and values checks in new migration strategy

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the Coalition is considering stronger checks on migrant language skills and values as it finalises its new migration strategy for release this year. Shadow Home Affairs Minister Senator Jonathon Duniam said the party was examining ways to strengthen how commitment to Australia is assessed, including possible changes to visa conditions…

South Australia Opens 2,250 Skilled Migration Spots Amidst DAMA Updates

South Australia has opened applications for 2,250 skilled migration places for 2025–2026, while updating rules on Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) to limit variation requests. South Australia Now Accepting ROI Applications Applications have opened for South Australia’s Skilled Migration Registration of Interest (ROI) as the state confirms 2,250 visa nomination places for the 2025–2026 program…

ENS 186 eligibility toughens with only approved sponsor experience counting after 29 November

ENS 186 applicants must complete their two-year work experience with an approved Standard Business Sponsor under new migration regulations starting 29 November 2025. The Australian Government has announced the Migration Amendment (Skilled Visa Reform Technical Measures) Regulations 2025, a suite of technical updates that will reshape key employer-sponsored visa pathways ahead of their commencement later…

Victoria confirms 3,400 skilled visa nomination places, announces webinar for migration professionals

Victoria has confirmed 3,400 skilled visa nomination places for the 2025–2026 program and will brief migration professionals during an online webinar on Thursday, 27 November. The Department of Home Affairs finalised the allocation this week, granting Victoria 2,700 places for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and 700 places for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)…

Australia Allocates 20,350 State and Territory Nomination Places for 2025–2026 Skilled Migration Program

Australia has set 20,350 nomination places for states and territories in the 2025–2026 migration year, outlining how many skilled migrants each jurisdiction can nominate under key skilled visa subclasses. The Department of Home Affairs confirmed 12,850 allocations for the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa and 7,500 for the Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa, guiding…

Australia’s 2025–2026 Skilled Migration Allocations Fall Across NSW and ACT

Australia’s major states have cut skilled migration allocations for the 2025–2026 program year, reducing opportunities for international applicants seeking permanent and regional work visas. New South Wales (NSW) will issue a total of 3,600 nominations, down from 5,000 last year, with 2,100 for the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa and 1,500 for the Skilled Work…