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The Department has issued a revised version of the Ministerial Instructions relating to the exercise of the Minister’s intervention powers under sections 351 and 501J of the Migration Act 1958. This new version was published on 17 September 2025. The update removes Clause 12.1.14 from the list of inappropriate requests to refer. The update is minimal, with the sole change being the removal of Clause 12.1.14 from Section 12, which addresses requests deemed unsuitable for referral (Requests that are inappropriate to refer). Previously, Clause 12.1.14 provided that: the individual can make a valid application for a visa listed in regulation 2.12 of the Migration Regulations 1994 while in Australia. This clause was accompanied by the explanatory note: Section 48 of the Act imposes a bar on a non-citizen making an application for a visa, other than for a prescribed class of visa, if the non-citizen is in the migration zone, does not hold a substantive visa and, after last entering Australia, was refused a visa or held a visa that was cancelled. Regulation 2.12 of the Migration Regulations 1994 prescribes the visas that may be applied for while in Australia.

The Queensland Skilled Migration Program for 2025-26 is now open for Registration of Interest (ROI). A limited interim allocation of 250 places is available, with the remainder expected by the end of September. The Queensland Skilled Migration Program for 2025-26 is now accepting new Registrations of Interest (ROI). Candidates seeking Queensland nomination must submit a new ROI, and only one ROI can be active at a time. If multiple ROIs are submitted, only the most recent will be considered; any earlier ROIs will be disregarded. It is advised to print or save a copy of the ROI at submission, as Migration Queensland cannot provide duplicates or copies later. Key Updates: Revised Occupation Lists Now Available Important Changes to Nomination Pathways Expression of Interest (EOI) Submission Guidelines Adjustments to Program Eligibility Criteria Selection Considerations for Nomination Invitation Rounds and Ongoing Updates Click here – Queensland Skilled Occupation Lists

Applicants chosen through the pre-application ballot for certain visa categories can use their Ballot Registration ID only once to submit a visa application via ImmiAccount; any additional attempts with the same ID will be blocked. If you’ve been selected for a Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) from China, India, or Vietnam, or a Pacific Engagement visa (subclass 192), it’s important to note that your Ballot Registration ID is valid for only one application through ImmiAccount. Attempting to start a second application with the same ID will trigger this error: “A visa application has already been submitted for payment related to this Registration ID. Only one visa application can be submitted against each Registration ID.” Key Points: What to Do if You Encounter This Error: If you receive this error message or face any issues with your Registration ID, please:

The Australian Government has introduced updated guidelines for submitting requests for Ministerial Intervention under the Migration Act 1958. The reforms aim to provide a more structured and legally robust framework and improve transparency. On 4 September 2025, Minister Tony Burke signed three new Ministerial Instructions covering: These updates follow the Davis v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs [2023] HCA 10 case, which invalidated the use of subjective criteria for referring requests to the Minister. The new guidelines aim to establish clear and objective referral criteria, strengthen discouragement of unmeritorious requests, and ensure transparency in decision-making. Key Changes and Processes: These measures aim to create a more consistent, legally sound, and transparent process for Ministerial Intervention requests.

The assessing authority for the occupation of Surveyor (ANZSCO 232212) has recently undergone significant changes, impacting skilled migration assessments for this occupation. The Geospatial Council of Australia (GCA), which was responsible for skills assessments for Surveyors, went into liquidation on 21 August 2025. As a result, the GCA is no longer accepting new skilled migration assessment applications. Click here: Website: Geospatial Council of Australia

The Australian Government is exploring new ways to simplify regulations and reduce compliance burdens on businesses. Departments and regulators have put forward a wide range of practical ideas aimed at improving efficiency and boosting productivity. On 4 July 2025, Treasurer Hon Jim Chalmers MP and Minister for Finance Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher invited 30 regulators and eight portfolio departments to submit ideas for simplifying regulatory processes and cutting unnecessary compliance burdens. This call for proposals generated over 400 reform opportunities, including around 150 measures that could be implemented immediately without requiring legislation or additional funding, highlighting practical ways to streamline government processes. Department of Home Affairs – Suggested ReformsIn the area of migration and citizenship, the Department of Home Affairs has outlined several reform opportunities: These proposals are part of the government’s broader initiative to reduce red tape and support businesses. Click here: Regulatory Reform Opportunities – Department of Finance

The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA), on behalf of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Section of the Department of Home Affairs, has issued a communication to all Registered Migration Agents announcing significant improvements to the FOI request process. This update reflects the Department’s commitment to refining service delivery and ensuring a faster, more efficient experience for migration professionals seeking access to personal information. Below is the full content of the email sent to Registered Migration Agents: FOI Update – Improvements to serve you better In the Freedom of Information Section, we are committed to constantly refining our services to ensure a smoother and faster experience for you. Behind the scenes, we have been streamlining the FOI request process. Here is what’s new and how it will help us – and you To maximise the benefit to you from these improvements our preferred submission method is via the online form found here: submit a request for personal information A new mailbox – a sharper focus We have renamed our FOI VIC email to: request.personal.information@homeaffairs.gov.au. This change better reflects our core function: handling requests for access to personal information. Smarter processing with our web form We have introduced new automation through our online web form, making it easier and quicker for us to clearly identify the nature of incoming requests, so we can allocate them to the most efficient processing stream. Why this matters: Clarifying your request: Handy hints You may start to see some of your requests processed as Privacy Access rather than Freedom of Information requests. The reference numbers will commence with ‘FA’ for FOI requests and ‘PA’ for Privacy Access. To help us help you!  We encourage you to use our online webform to submit your requests to maximise the benefit to you of these new automated processes. Some things won’t change We will continue to manage all FOI requests—both access and amendment—under the FOI Act, as always. The new processes simply offer an optional faster route when appropriate. If you can, use our online webform—it’s the fastest way to get started.

The Australian Government has released interim allocations of skilled visa nomination places for the 2025–26 program year for Tasmania and Western Australia. These allocations allow the states to nominate skilled workers under the sc190 and sc491 visa programs while the final nomination numbers are being finalised. Tasmania Tasmania has been provided with 165 skilled nomination places under the interim arrangements for the 2025–26 program year, comprising: These places are currently being used to confirm nominations for provisionally approved applicants who were unable to be nominated during the 2024–25 program year due to allocation limits. At this time, Tasmania’s Skilled Migration State Nomination Program for 2025–26 has not yet opened for new registrations of interest. Western Australia Western Australia has been granted a small interim allocation of nomination places, which will be used exclusively to finalise outstanding applications from the 2024–25 program year. Due to the limited allocation, the 2025–26 Western Australia State Nominated Migration Program will remain closed until the Commonwealth Government issues the formal allocation.   Click here: Website-Tasmanian Government Western Australia- 2025-26 State Nomination Migration Program Interim allocation

The Department of Home Affairs has introduced the Migration (English Language Test Requirements for Subclass 482 Visas) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/082). This instrument outlines important changes to English language test options, scoring requirements, and retake policies for Subclass 482 visa applicants across the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams. The new English language test requirements for the Subclass 482 visa, under Instrument LIN 25/082, will begin on 13 September 2025. These requirements apply to any Subclass 482 visa application lodged on or after that date. New English Test Providers Added: The following providers are now formally recognised across the updated instruments: Terminology Updates: The new instrument (LIN 25/082) abolishes the Migration (Language Test Requirements for Subclass 482 Visa) Instrument 2024 (LIN 24/099). Test providers and score requirements (LIN 25/082). Test Listening Reading Writing Speaking IELTS General Training/ Academic 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 CELPIP General 5 5 5 5 PTE Academic 33 36 29 24 TOEFL iBT 8 8 9 14 C1 Advanced 154 154 154 154 LANGUAGECERT Academic 41 44 45 54 OET 220 240 200 270 MET 49 47 45 38   Guidelines for Test Attempts and Validity: Applicants who sat their English test before 13 September 2025 must have completed all components in one sitting, with no option to re-take individual skills. In contrast, for tests taken on or after 13 September 2025, the updated instrument (LIN 25/082) provides more flexibility, allowing candidates to re-sit specific components instead of repeating the entire test. This means that options such as IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) and MET Single Skill Retake (SSR) are now accepted for tests undertaken after this date. Regardless of whether a candidate re-sits a single component, English test results are valid for three years from the date of the original full test sitting. The validity period does not reset or extend if a component is re-sat at a later stage. Click here: LIN 25/082 – Migration (English Language Test Requirements for Subclass 482 Visas) (2025)