admin

South Australia’s Designated Area Migration Agreements extended with key concessions retained and important changes effective 1 July 2025. The two South Australian Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) have been extended until 30 June 2026. The extension maintains access to: A significant improvement has also been made to the permanent residency pathway. Clients holding the Skills in Demand (SID) Subclass 482 visa can now apply for the Subclass 186 visa after just two years of holding the 482 visas. From 1 July 2025, occupations listed under specific Industry Labour Agreements will no longer be eligible under the SA DAMA program if they also appear on an Industry Labour Agreement list. The South Australian Government is also planning to negotiate a new five-year statewide DAMA with the Commonwealth Government during the 2025–26 period. Click here: South Australian Government Website – DAMA Updates

Tehran Biometric Collection Centre resumes operations from 29 June 2025. The Australian Biometric Collection Centre in Tehran, Iran officially reopened on Sunday, 29 June 2025. Applicants in Iran can now attend appointments for the collection of biometric data as part of their visa application process. Members are encouraged to check the VFS Global Iran website for the latest operating hours, updates, and any further announcements regarding services and scheduling.

Visa processing operations at the Australian Embassy in Berlin ceased on 30 June 2025. On 30 June 2025, the Department of Home Affairs officially ceased operations at its visa processing office in the Australian Embassy in Berlin, Germany. This change does not impact visa or citizenship applicants in Europe, as applications continue to be lodged and processed via digital platforms. There is no requirement for clients to attend the embassy in person to submit an application. Going forward, immigration matters across Europe will be jointly managed by the Home Affairs offices in Belgrade and London, as required. The Home Affairs website will be updated to reflect these changes from 1 July 2025. As always, visa applications from Europe may be processed anywhere within the Department’s global immigration network.

The Subclass 462 visa ballot for China, India, and Vietnam opened on 24 June 2025 and will remain open until 15 July 2025. The first random selection will occur on 16 July 2025. As part of the 2025–26 program year, the Department of Home Affairs has opened ballot registrations for the Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visa for applicants from China, India, and Vietnam. Registrations are open from 24 June to 15 July 2025. The first random selection will take place on 16 July 2025. Additional selections will occur throughout the year until 30 April 2026. The Department will announce the dates of future draws after each selection. Click here- Subclass 462 Ballot Process – Home Affairs

VETASSESS is now the official Skills Assessing Authority for selected occupations under the Far North Queensland DAMA. Skills assessments for these roles will be available soon via VETASSESS. VETASSESS has been confirmed as the Skills Assessing Authority for several occupations listed under the Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement (FNQ DAMA). Skills assessments for these roles are expected to be available within two weeks, once the occupations are added to the VETASSESS system. The FNQ DAMA Occupation and Concessions List has also been updated on the Cairns Chamber of Commerce website to reflect this change. Click here-FNQ DAMA – Cairns Chamber of Commerce                   VETASSESS

Registrations of Interest (ROI) are now open for South Australian nomination under the Subclass 858 National Innovation Visa (NIV). Both onshore and offshore applicants are eligible to apply. South Australia has opened Registrations of Interest (ROI) for its nomination under the Sc 858 National Innovation Visa program. This opportunity is available to both onshore and offshore applicants with highly skilled and innovative profiles. Applicants are encouraged to review the nomination requirements and application process through the official South Australian government website. This visa pathway is designed for individuals with exceptional talent in innovation and technology, aligning with South Australia’s strategic goals. Click here-South Australia-ROI-sc858 NIV

From 1 July 2025, applications for Subclass 202 Global Special Humanitarian visas under the Special Humanitarian Program (SHP) must be lodged online using specific internet forms, unless otherwise authorised by the Department. Effective 1 July 2025, the Department of Home Affairs will require that all Subclass 202 Global Special Humanitarian visa applications under the SHP be submitted via the internet, using:  Form 842 (Internet) – Visa application  Form 681 (Internet) – Sponsorship proposal This change follows an amendment to LIN 20/169 through the Migration (Arrangements for Protection, Refugee and Humanitarian Visas) Amendment (Internet Lodgement) Instrument 2025. If an applicant cannot apply online, they may be permitted to submit a paper application—but only if they receive written authorisation from the Department. In such cases, the paper forms must be posted to a designated address or submitted via an alternate method as instructed. This digital transition is aimed at improving processing efficiency and accessibility for sponsors and applicants. Click here- LIN 20/169

The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) will increase from $73,150 to $76,515 starting 1 July 2025, as per the latest legislative amendment. This increase will affect certain visa nomination applications lodged on or after that date. The Migration (IMMI 18/033) Amendment (Annual TSMIT Increase) Instrument 2025 has been issued to increase the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) from $73,150 to $76,515, effective 1 July 2025. This adjustment is based on a 4.6% increase in the Average Weekly Ordinary Times Earnings (AWOTE) figure from November 2024. The updated TSMIT will apply to nomination applications lodged on or after 1 July 2025 for the following visa subclasses: Sc 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa Sc 187 – Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa Sc 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage visa (only if lodged prior to 7 December 2024) Sc 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme visa (only if lodged prior to 7 December 2024) Any nominations lodged before 1 July 2025 will continue to be assessed against the current TSMIT of $73,150, which remains valid at the time of submission. Click here-Legislative Instrument –IMMI 18/033

The Department of Home Affairs has announced that new citizenship application fees will apply from 1 July 2025. The updated fee details are yet to be released but will be applied automatically for applications lodged on or after that date. The Department of Home Affairs has notified, via the ImmiAccount login page, that new citizenship application fees will be implemented from 1 July 2025. As of now, these updated fees have not been officially published on the Department’s website or through a registered legislative instrument. Historically, citizenship application fees are adjusted annually on 1 July in line with changes to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Online ApplicationsAny application submitted online on or after 1 July 2025 will incur the new fees, regardless of when the application was started. The ImmiAccount system will automatically calculate the correct fee at the time of submission. The Department considers an application received on the date it is submitted and payment is made. Paper Applications Paper applications are deemed received on the date the Department physically receives the documents—not the date of postage. It is strongly recommended to allow sufficient time for delivery to ensure paper applications arrive before 30 June 2025. Applications received on or after 1 July 2025 will attract the new fee. Click here-Department of Home Affairs – Citizenship

Tensions have escalated in the Middle East following recent military strikes in Iran. The security situation remains volatile, prompting urgent advice for Australians in the region to take safety precautions and stay informed. Following recent military strikes in Iran, the security situation across the Middle East remains highly volatile and could deteriorate without warning. The Australian government has issued updated guidance urging Australians in Iran to shelter in place and strictly follow local authority instructions. Australian citizens and permanent residents currently in Iran, Israel, or the Occupied Palestinian Territories are strongly encouraged to register their details via the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Crisis Portal to ensure they receive real-time updates and support. There is a strong possibility of flight disruptions or cancellations due to potential airport and airspace closures. Australians in Iran should depart when it is safe to do so. For urgent assistance, Australians can contact the 24-hour DFAT Consular Emergency Centre:  +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas)  1300 555 135 (within Australia) Up-to-date travel advice and safety alerts are available on the official Smartraveller website. Click here- Register with DFAT Crisis PortalSmartraveller – Travel Advice & Alerts Department of Home Affairs