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On 3 September 2025, the Government introduced the Administrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 to Parliament, proposing changes to both the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024 (ART Act) and the Migration Act 1958. On 3 September 2025, the Bill was introduced to Parliament, read for the first time, and the second reading was moved on the same day. The Bill aims to broaden the circumstances in which the ART can make decisions without holding an oral hearing. Under the proposed changes, the ART may decide a matter entirely on the papers when the issues can be adequately resolved without a hearing, it is reasonable to make a decision without holding an oral hearing, and all parties have been given a fair opportunity to submit written evidence, which the ART takes into account in reaching its decision. Changes to the Migration Act would require certain visa review applications to be conducted entirely on the papers, including reviews of decisions refusing student visas and reviews relating to prescribed temporary visas. This also allows the Migration Regulations to specify additional temporary visa applications that must be reviewed without a hearing. Permanent visa and protection visa applications are not affected by this change. Applications under the new requirement will be decided entirely based on written submissions, as outlined in new Division 4A of Part 5 of the Migration Act. Click here: Administrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025

From 26 August 2025, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Australia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will officially be recognised under Australia’s migration Act 1958 as an international trade obligation. The Migration (International Trade Obligations Relating to Labour Market Testing) Amendment (CEPA) Determination 2025 amends LIN 21/075 by inserting CEPA into the list of free trade agreements determined under paragraph 140GBA(1)(c). This ensures CEPA obligations are reflected in migration law for labour market testing (LMT) purposes. Key Details: What’s new? ✔ CEPA is now recognised as an international trade obligation for LMT exemptions. Why it matters: ✔ Some trade agreements allow employers to bypass LMT when sponsoring skilled workers. With CEPA included, businesses engaging UAE nationals may qualify—subject to CEPA’s conditions. Who is covered under CEPA (Annex 10A)? The majority of Subclass 482 visa applicants are likely to be classified as Contractual Service Suppliers. While CEPA may provide exemptions from labour market testing (LMT), LMT could still be required if doing so does not conflict with Australia’s WTO obligations. Employers should review CEPA provisions carefully before submitting any applications. Technical updates included: Effective date: 📅 26 August 2025 Click here: LIN 25/103 Migration (International trade obligations relating to labour market testing) Amendment (CEPA) Determination 2025 CEPA Text and Annex 10 A

OMARA, on behalf of the Department’s Financial Operations Branch, has communicated to all RMA members about the upcoming requirement for mandatory 3 Domain Secure (3DS) authentication for all card payments made through ImmiAccount Starting Monday, 8 September 2025, all card payments on ImmiAccount will require 3 Domain Secure (3DS) authentication. Cards must have 3DS enabled by your bank before you can complete any payment. Payments made with cards that are not registered for 3DS will be declined. If your card does not have 3DS activated, you will see the following error message when attempting to pay: “Error performing card authentication. Please use another card/payment method.” What is 3DS? 3DS is a security feature that protects your card payments by confirming your identity before the transaction is approved. If you need help activating 3DS or want to learn more about this security measure, please contact your bank directly. The Department is unable to provide assistance with enabling 3DS. How Does the 3DS Process Work? When paying with a debit or credit card on ImmiAccount: Your payment will be declined if: Mandatory 3DS activation for card payments may change the way you handle your business transactions The below options will help you to meet the payment authentication security requirements. As always, you should ensure you comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS). Click here – Registered migration agent and legal practitioner enquiries and feedback. For further information, please refer to the Department’s website: How to pay for online application and  Applying on paper

The consultation period for the 2025 Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) is open from 25 August to 26 September 2025. This consultation covers over 800 skilled occupations at Skill Levels 1 to 3, which are under review for potential inclusion in the 2025 CSOL. A targeted group of occupations has been identified for focused stakeholder engagement, while all Skill Level 1 to 3 occupations remain open for feedback. Consultation activities include: All stakeholder feedback collected during this period will be considered by JSA before finalising its recommendations to the Government. Participation in this consultation is essential for influencing the future skilled occupation framework and workforce planning in Australia. Click here: Core Skills Occupations List (CSOL) Consultations

The current provider of migration health examinations in Kalgoorlie-Boulder has concluded its contract. A new clinic is scheduled to commence services from 27 August 2025. Plaza Medical Kalgoorlie is expected to take over migration health examination services from 27 August 2025. Appointment availability and further details will be updated on BUPA’s Medical Visa Services website shortly. The Department has confirmed that BUPA operates both permanent and temporary clinics. In regional areas, clinics are often temporary due to fluctuating demand or limited interest from subcontractors in long-term arrangements. When a clinic closes, time is required to identify, negotiate with, and train a replacement provider to ensure continuity of services.

Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) will soon begin consultations to review the 2025 Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). The review will help ensure skilled occupations remain aligned with Australia’s workforce needs and labour market shortages. JSA will release information on the consultation process, including opportunities for stakeholder feedback, on its website shortly. The outcomes of the review will inform advice to the Government on potential changes to the CSOL. The CSOL applies to: It provides sponsoring employers with the ability to fill genuine workforce shortages in eligible skilled occupations, either on a temporary or permanent basis. Click here Doha Update: Jobs and Skills Australia to Review Core Skills Occupation List The Core Skills Occupation List Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA)

From 7 August 2025, the Migration (Evidence of Functional English Language Proficiency) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/014) updates the English language tests and scores required to meet the definition of functional English, replacing the 2015 instrument (IMMI 15/004). Read More: The new instrument LIN 25/014 clarifies the English language tests accepted for migration purposes and updates some required scores: Item Language Tests Average bandscore Overall bandscore Total band score 1 CELPIP General   at least 5   2 IELTS Academic at least 4.5     3 IELTS General Training at least 4.5     4 LANGUAGECERT Academic at least 38   5 MET   at least 38   6 OET   at least 1020   7 PTE Academic   at least 24   8 TOEFL iBT     at least 26 Key Points: This update ensures greater clarity and introduces new accepted tests, giving applicants more options to meet functional English requirements. Click here: LIN 25/014 – Migration (Evidence of Functional English Language Proficiency) Instrument 2025

From 7 August 2025, applicants for the Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa can now rely on results from the IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) and the Michigan English Test (MET) Single Section Retake (SSR). Read more: The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that, effective 7 August 2025, the following changes apply to English language testing for the Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa: Click here: sc485-Department of Home Affairs

The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that it is updating procedural instructions for onshore contributory aged parent visas (Subclass 864 & 884) and onshore aged parent visas (Subclass 804). The changes clarify that secondary applicants must also be aged at the time of application to take the place of primary applicant. Read more: On 1 July 2024, migration agents were notified that previous procedural instructions for Subclass 864, 884 and 804 visas had incorrectly interpreted Schedule 2 requirements. The Department confirmed that a secondary applicant must be ‘aged’ at the time of application to satisfy Schedule 2 criteria in order to replace the primary applicant. At that time, processing of affected applications was paused while long-term solutions were considered. The Department has now advised that: Withdraw and lodge a new application that meets current criteria, without losing their queue place. Under the exception provisions, for small number of applications affected due to this, the Department is prepared to backdate the queue date on a case-by-case basis.

From 7 August 2025, the Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visas) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/089) updates the English language proficiency requirements and test providers for the Post-Vocational Education Work and Post-Higher Education Work streams of the Subclass 485 visa, replacing the 2024 instrument (LIN 24/021). The new instrument LIN 25/089 updates the English language proficiency requirements for the Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa. It applies specifically to applicants in the Post-Vocational Education Work stream and the Post-Higher Education Work stream. The table sets out the test providers and score requirements under the new instrument (LIN 25/089). Test Overall Band Score Listening Reading Writing Speaking IELTS General Training/ Academic 6.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 CELPIP General 8 6 6 6 6 PTE Academic 55 40 42 41 39 TOEFL iBT 81 12 12 14 17 C1 Advanced 176 162 162 162 162 LANGUAGECERT Academic 67 49 54 56 62 OET 1310 260 280 260 310 MET 58 53 51 51 43 English Language scores for Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders Specific provisions apply to these applicants, with test scores and providers outlined in the instrument. Test Overall Score Listening Reading Writing Speaking C1 Advanced 169 154 154 154 154 CELPIP General  7 5 5 5 5 IELTS (GT/Academic) 6.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 LANGUAGECERT Academic 61 41 44 45 54 MET 53 49 47 45 38 OET 1210 220 240 200 270 PTE Academic 47 33 36 29 24 TOEFL iBT 67 8 8 9 14 Test undertaken before commencement of this instrument According to section 10 of LIN 25/089, an English language test taken before 7 August 2025 (the commencement date of the new instrument) may still be accepted for Subclass 485 applications lodged on or after 7 August 2025, provided the following conditions are met: Implementation of LIN 25/089 Click here: Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visas) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/089)