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…
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…
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.…
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…
For many people, the hardest part of a permanent visa is not the points test or the skills assessment. It is character. A permanent visa is a long-term grant, so the Department of Home Affairs looks closely at character. A charge that feels minor to you can become the issue that decides your application. This…
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…