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The Migration (2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup—Class of Persons for Nil VAC) Instrument 2025 officially designates the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup as an Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) under the Migration Regulations 1994, providing a nil Visa Application Charge (VAC) for eligible individuals involved in the event. The 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup will be held from 1 to 21 March 2026 in Perth, Sydney, and the Gold Coast. It is an official event of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and is organized by the Local Organising Committee. Individuals within the specified class—such as AFC delegation members, participating team members, and event affiliates—will benefit from the visa fee exemption, ensuring easier access to travel for those participating in this major international event. Applicants are advised to submit their requests according to the outlined eligibility criteria in the Migration Instrument, which clarifies who qualifies for the event-specific visa exemption. This instrument provides a clear pathway for individuals involved in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup to obtain visas with the exemption from application fees, facilitating smooth participation in this major international sporting event. Click here: LIN 25/116- Migration (2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup—Class of Persons for Nil VAC) Instrument 2025

The OMARA notified all registered migration agents on 20 October 2025 that a new sign-in system featuring Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) has been implemented on the OMARA portal. OMARA advised all RMA members to complete the MFA setup by Sunday, 1 February 2026. After this date, accounts without MFA will be deactivated, and access to the OMARA portal will be restricted. The full communication from OMARA is outlined below: The new sign-in system which supports Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) has now been set up on the OMARA Portal. We encourage you to log into your account on the OMARA portal and set up MFA as soon as possible.  To assist you with setting up MFA on your OMARA Portal account, we have published User Guides and a FAQ on our website which can be accessed here. In addition to the User Guides which provide step by step instructions and screen shots, we have also published short videos that demonstrate the process from start to finish.  They can be viewed here:  Sign-Up and Sign-In Guide Videos · Customer Self-Service.  [Note: These videos have no sound.] You will have until Sunday, 1 February 2026 to set up MFA.  After this date, if you have not logged on and set up MFA, your account will be disabled and you will be unable to log on to the OMARA Portal. If you have questions after reviewing the User Guides, FAQ and videos, please contact us here https://portal.mara.gov.au/enquiry/.

As Parliament prepares for its final sittings of the year, two important bills Migration Amendment (Strengthening Sponsorship and Nomination Processes) Bill 2024 and Administrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 are set to be discussed and possibly voted on during the upcoming sessions. The Parliamentary Sitting Periods for the remainder of the year are scheduled as follows: from 27 October to 6 November 2025, and again from 24 to 27 November 2025, before Parliament rises for the year. Migration Amendment (Strengthening Sponsorship and Nomination Processes) Bill 2024 This bill focuses on updating the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa program. Key changes include: Administrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 This bill has drawn significant attention, particularly in relation to student visa refusals. It proposes that applicants whose student visas are denied will only be able to have their refusal reviewed “on the papers.” Additionally, this may set a precedent for similar changes to other temporary visa applications in the future. Click here: Submissions received by the Committee

The Migration Amendment (Strengthening Sponsorship and Nomination Processes) Bill 2024 introduces significant changes to the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa program, with updates to income thresholds and an extended validity period for labour market testing (LMT). The Bill’s progress has seen support from both the Senate and the Government, ensuring its continued movement through Parliament. The Migration Amendment (Strengthening Sponsorship and Nomination Processes) Bill 2024 was initially introduced to Parliament last year and aims to bring important adjustments to the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa program. The key provisions of the Bill include: The Bill, which was first introduced in Parliament in 2024, lapsed at the end of the parliamentary session in July 2025. However, on 2 September 2024, the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee released a report recommending that the Senate pass the Bill, with some additional amendments and suggestions. The Government responded positively, agreeing with the Committee’s recommendation, and provided an official response to the Senate, which was tabled on 20 October 2025. Members are encouraged to visit the Australian Parliament House (APH) website for further details on the tabled documents. As the Bill continues through the legislative process, further updates will be shared as they become available. Click here- Migration Amendment (Strengthening Sponsorship and Nomination Processes) Bill 2024 Australian Government response to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee Report: Migration Amendment (Strengthening Sponsorship and Nomination Processes) Bill 2024

The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) has shared an important update from the Department of Home Affairs regarding the VEVO Helpdesk. As of 16 October 2025, the contact details for the VEVO Helpdesk have changed. The complete OMARA communication can be accessed below: The contact details for the VEVO Helpdesk have changed. The previous email address vevo.helpdesk@homeaffairs.gov.au is no longer in use. We encourage industry users to contact us via our online enquiry forms, as this allows us to receive all relevant information to quickly and effectively address your enquiry. You will also be provided a reference number for acknowledgment of receipt. Please use the VEVO web form for your enquiry: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/departmental-forms/online-forms/vevo-enquiry-form . If your enquiry is urgent, please include the word ‘urgent’ in the details field. Response times We have recently transitioned to a new enquiry management system to improve service delivery. This has resulted in some temporary delays in the processing of enquiries which we are working to remediate. We aim to respond to your enquiry within 5 business days. Please do not submit multiple forms for the same enquiry within this timeframe as this can delay processing of the original enquiry.

On Thursday, 16 October 2025, the Department of Home Affairs hosted an information session for members on the Subclass 858 National Innovation Visa (NIV). The session provided updates on program priorities, invitation processing, and recent statistics on Expressions of Interest (EOIs). Program Overview: Feature Details Visa Name National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) Program Type Invitation-only Target Group High-calibre, exceptional talent applicants Assessment Basis Indicators of exceptional and outstanding achievement and alignment with Ministerial Direction 112 (MD 112) Program Goal To attract individuals contributing to Australia’s innovation and priority sectors   Program Statistics Metric Count EOIs submitted 9,000+ Invitations issued 304 Visas granted ~85  Candidates are invited according to the following: Information on the number of invitations issued is available on the Department’s website and is updated quarterly. Information on issued invitations is available on the Department’s website and is updated quarterly. Once an EOI is submitted, it cannot be edited or withdrawn.  If an applicant’s situation changes to strengthen their case, a new EOI must be lodged with updated details. Key Takeaways: Click here: Department of Home Affairs- National Innovation Visa

The Hon Minister Giles MP, Minister for Skills and Training, has approved the Institution of Surveyors New South Wales (ISNSW) as the new assessing authority for the Surveyor occupation (ANZSCO 232212). This appointment ensures continuity in the assessment process for skilled migration in the Surveyor occupation. Key Considerations: Click here: Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

The annual Occupation Shortage List (OSL) from Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) highlights areas of high demand in the national and regional workforce. For 2025, the OSL is published in both OSCA 2024 and ANZSCO 2022 formats. Alongside the OSL, JSA has provided supporting insights through reports including: Key Highlights Regional Impacts Regional areas face greater pressure than cities, with 21 occupations in shortage only outside capital cities. This shows the need for targeted support to strengthen workforce supply in these regions. Click here: Occupation Shortage List and Occupation Shortages Reports

The Australian Immi App is now available in additional countries, making visa applications faster and more convenient for eligible applicants. This expansion helps streamline the process of submitting passport details and facial images digitally. As of 30 September 2025, the Australian Immi App is accessible to users in South Africa, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands. The app provides a faster, cheaper, and more convenient way for eligible applicants to provide their passport details and facial image during the visa application process. Click here: Australian Immi App

As states and territories await final allocations from the Australian Government, several have already opened or updated their skilled migration programs for the 2025–26 program year. Below is a summary of key changes and announcements from NSW, Tasmania and the ACT.  NSW The NSW Government will largely continue with the program settings from last year, introducing only a few minor changes to improve the application process. Key Change Details Updated Skills Lists NSW and Regional NSW skills lists have been revised to better match current labour market needs. TSMIT/CSIT Definition Formal definitions for Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) and Comparable Salary Income Threshold (CSIT) have been added. Study in Regional NSW Exceptions introduced for applicants delayed entering Australia due to student visa processing delays (Pathway 3 – Direct Application). Nomination Fees Fees for subclass 491 and subclass 190 nominations increased to $363, reflecting CPI adjustments. Invitation Rounds Invitations issued every 2–3 weeks until NSW allocation is fully utilised.  Tasmania – Program Opened on 6 October 2025 Tasmania’s Skilled Migration State Nomination Program is now open for the 2025–26 program year. In anticipation of final allocations, Migration Tasmania has introduced several updates to improve accessibility, transparency, and candidate outcomes. Key Changes to the 2025-26 Program: Key Change Details Website Update New website design makes it easier to navigate and find information. Minimum Eligibility Criteria Criteria have been updated and clarified for greater transparency. Priority Attributes Revised priority attributes to better target skilled candidates. ROI Ranking System Updated Registration of Interest (ROI) ranking system to improve fairness and selection accuracy. Income Thresholds Adjusted to reflect current Australian median and average earnings, as well as Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT). Policy Guidance Simplified and clearer detailed policy guidance available on the Migration Tasmania website. Nomination Service Fee Increased to $370 ($407 including GST). Registration of Interest submission remains free. Upcoming Online Webinar Migration Tasmania invites you to join a live webinar to walk through the 2025-26 program changes. Date & Time: Tuesday, 14 October 2025 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM AEST Webinar Topics Include: Click here to register for the webinar. ACT Skilled Migration Program: Interim Invitation Round Completed On 15 September 2025, the ACT Government held an invitation round based on an interim allocation of 165 places (85 for subclass 190 and 80 for subclass 491) provided by the Australian Government. Key Updates to the 2025-26 ACT Skilled Migration Program: Update Details ACT Nominated Migration Occupation List The Critical Skills List has been renamed and reduced from 152 to 105 ANZSCO 4-digit occupations. PhD Applicants Invitations for PhD applicants will now be issued only during invitation rounds, not every seven business days. Priority processing remains. Subclass 457/482 Pathway Applicants must have at least six months’ employment with their sponsoring employer on an employer-sponsored visa. Subclass 491 and 190 Invitations Invitations for subclass 491 will be issued before subclass 190 invitations, which may affect invitation chances. Nomination Guidelines Minor clarifications and process improvements have been made based on stakeholder feedback. Processing and Allocation Applications in the queue will continue to be assessed. Nominations will be issued once the final allocation is confirmed. Tentative invitation round dates will be published thereafter.  Click here: NSW- NSW Skilled Migration Program Tasmania- 2025-26 Tasmanian Skilled Migration State Nomination Program ACT- ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List – October 2025