Blogs

VETASSESS has announced an increase in skills assessment application fees for professional and general occupations, effective from 22 October 2025. From 22 October 2025, VETASSESS will increase its skills assessment application fees for professional and general occupations in accordance with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The revised fees will apply to: No change applies to trade occupation assessments. Updated Fees Assessment Type Previous Fee New Fee (from 22 Oct 2025) Full Skills Assessment (General & Professional) $1,070 $1,076 Subclass 485 Skills Assessment $832 $852 This adjustment reflects routine indexation in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), ensuring fees remain consistent with economic changes. Click here: Vetassess Fees Chart

New 28-Day Timeframe for Review Requests Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) has updated its Assessment Review Policy to ensure greater consistency, transparency, and timely service delivery across all TRA programs. Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) has updated its Assessment Review Policy, effective September 2025. Under the revised policy, applicants have a 28-day window to request a review of their assessment outcome. TRA encourages all applicants to carefully check their assessment results and submit any review requests within this 28-day period to avoid potential delays or ineligibility. Key Changes: Click here: TRA Website

The Department of Home Affairs has updated procedural instructions for the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa, introducing a significant enhancement for graduates based in Hobart and surrounding postcodes. Updates for Hobart graduates under the Second PHEW stream: Key Changes: Implications for Graduates: Procedural Guidance:

The Migration Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/059) introduces updated rules for reporting systems used by international passenger aircraft. This new instrument replaces four older instruments—IMMI 15/016, 15/019, 15/020, and 15/021—that were due to expire on 1 October 2025.   This change provides a clear and consistent framework for airlines and crew, helping maintain compliance and accuracy in migration reporting obligations. Click here: LIN 25/059-Migration (Approval of Primary and Fall-back Reporting Systems—International Passenger Aircraft) Instrument 2025

Streamlining Migration Compliance for Cruise Operations The Migration Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/060) establishes updated rules for reporting systems used by international passenger cruise ships. This instrument replaces three previous instruments—IMMI 15/022, 15/023, and 15/024—that were scheduled to sunset on 1 October 2025. This update provides cruise operators with a clear, legally compliant framework for reporting, helping maintain accuracy and consistency in migration obligations for all onboard personnel and passengers. Click here: LIN 25/060-Migration (Approval of Primary and Fall-back Reporting Systems—International Passenger Cruise Ships) Instrument 2025

The Department of Home Affairs has released updated Ministerial Instructions that significantly update the handling of Ministerial Intervention requests for sections 351, 501J, 46A, and 48B of the Migration Act 1958. Sections 351 and 501J (Updated 17 September 2025) New instructions amend those issued on 4 September 2025, for applicants seeking MI on s351 and s501J grounds. Key changes include: Personal Procedural Decisions (PPD) for these sections: Sections 46A and 48B (Updated 4 September 2025) For more information on this click here:   Positive personal procedural decision (section 351 and 501J) Negative personal procedural decision (section 351 and 501J) PPD for Historic and Active MI Requests (section 351 and 501J) Ministerial Intervention – sections 351 and 501J​​ of the Act 1958

The new Access to Movement Records Instrument 2025, effective 23 September 2025, modernises access provisions and replaces the 2024 version. This update ensures the continued clarity and compliance around authorised access to movement records across Commonwealth, State, and Territory jurisdictions. Key Provisions:   Click here:-LIN (25/001) – The Migration (Access to Movement Records) Instrument 2025

A new Migration (Specification of Class of Persons) Instrument 2025 is coming into effect on 1 October 2025, replacing the previous provisions while keeping the content largely unchanged.   Click here:  LIN (25/091)- Migration (Specification of Class of Persons) Instrument 2025

The Social Security (Special Benefit – Class of Visas) Determination 2025 has been released, outlining which visa holders are eligible to access the Special Benefit and other Australian Government support payments. Key details of the Determination: Access to PaymentsCertain visa holders may qualify for Family Tax Benefit, Child Care Subsidy, Parental Leave Pay, Disaster Recovery Allowance, and the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment. Waiting Period (NARWP)The Determination clarifies how the Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period applies before payments can begin. Mutual Obligation RequirementsSome visa subclasses may be required to meet conditions such as job seeking to receive the Special Benefit. ExemptionsSpecific visa subclasses are exempt from the 208-week NARWP, giving eligible applicants immediate access to Special Benefit and related payments. References to the Social Security Act 1991 within the Determination include: Click here: Social Security (Special Benefit – Class of Visas) Determination 2025

A new legislative instrument, LIN 25/086, has replaced LIN 20/166 for the Australian Values Statement under PIC 4019. This legislative instrument formally approves the Australian Values Statement applicable to certain visa subclasses specified within the instrument. While it continues to cover the visas listed under the previous instrument, it now also explicitly includes the Subclass 851 (Resolution of Status) visa. Importantly, there have been no alterations to the substance or content of the Australian Values Statement itself; rather, LIN 25/086 incorporates drafting refinements aimed at improving clarity and readability. The new instrument took effect from 18 September 2025. Click here: LIN 25/086 – The Migration (Australian Values Statement for Public Interest Criterion 4019) Instrument 2025