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The Australian Government has introduced new laws to strengthen Australia’s response to antisemitism, hate-motivated behaviour, and extremist activity. These reforms are aimed at better protecting the community by giving authorities stronger powers to identify and respond to individuals or groups involved in promoting hate or extremist conduct. These reforms aim to better protect the Australian community by giving authorities stronger powers to identify and respond to individuals or groups involved in promoting hate or extremist conduct. Key Changes to Migration and Citizenship Laws The new law updates several major migration and citizenship rules to ensure Australia can prevent high-risk individuals from entering or remaining in the country, and that visa and citizenship processes reflect modern security concerns. Stronger Visa Character Test Rules The legislation expands the visa character test (Section 501), allowing visas to be refused or cancelled for people involved in hate or extremist activity, including those who: Lower Risk Threshold Authorities can now act if a person “might” pose a risk, rather than needing proof they “would” pose a risk. This allows earlier preventative action. Temporary Safe Haven Visa Powers Expanded The Government may also refuse or cancel Temporary Safe Haven Visas where individuals are linked to extremist or hate-related conduct, even before the behaviour escalates. Permanent Exclusion From Reapplying Under updated migration regulations, individuals refused visas under certain character provisions may face permanent exclusion, meaning they cannot apply again unless: Citizenship Law Amendments The law also strengthens citizenship provisions by: Click here: Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026 and  Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill 2026

The Australian Government has officially recognised the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games as an Approved Government-Endorsed Event for the Subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa. This means that eligible individuals involved in the Games may be able to apply for a Subclass 408 visa with no Visa Application Charge (nil VAC) under the Approved Government-Endorsed Event stream. This measure is intended to support the smooth entry of athletes, officials, media representatives, and other essential personnel required to deliver the Brisbane 2032 Games. Eligible applicants include individuals who have been approved for accreditation by the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee, as well as members or personnel of organisations such as: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) These arrangements will commence from 21 January 2026 and will remain in place until the conclusion of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in September 2032. Click here: Migration (Class of Persons for Nil VAC for Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity) – Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games) Instrument 2025

An important change has been introduced to Australia’s visa conditions to strengthen counter-terrorism measures. This update took effect from 13 December 2025. Under the amended visa condition 8556, certain visa holders must not associate or communicate with any foreign state entity that has been officially listed as a state sponsor of terrorism under Australian criminal law. This new requirement applies only to visas granted on or after 13 December 2025. Individuals who were granted their visas before this date will not be affected by this updated condition. Click here: Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Regulations 2025

The Department of Home Affairs has introduced an important update to the citizenship process through new regulations that affect how citizenship notices are issued. This update is particularly relevant for individuals currently applying for Australian citizenship. The changes commenced on 17 December 2025 and focus on improving the form and content of official notices provided to citizenship applicants. The aim is to ensure that communications from the Department are clearer, more consistent, and aligned with current administrative standards. While these updates do not change eligibility criteria or application fees, they are intended to streamline procedures and support a more efficient and transparent citizenship process. Applicants and those assisting with citizenship applications should be aware of these changes to ensure they receive and understand notices correctly as part of their application journey Click here: Australian Citizenship Amendment (Notices of Citizenship) Regulations 2025

Important changes have been introduced to improve identity processes and provide more flexibility in citizenship rules for certain applicants. The updates strengthen how facial images are collected for identification purposes, ensuring the system aligns with modern biometric technology and international standards. Facial images collected before these changes will remain valid, and any decisions already made using those images will continue to stand. The changes also make citizenship residence requirements more flexible for people who need to spend extended periods overseas while undertaking work that benefits Australia. This adjustment applies under the special residence provisions for eligible applicants. These changes commenced from 2 December 2025. Click here: Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2025 Measures No. 2) Bill 2025

The Department of Home Affairs has expanded the Australian Immi App to an additional 19 countries, bringing the total number of supported locations to 34. This expansion, effective from 24 November 2025. The eligible applicants from the following countries can now use the Australian Immi App: Algeria, Bahrain, Colombia, Egypt, Fiji, France, Greece, Hong Kong (SAR of the People’s Republic of China), Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand (third‑country nationals), Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Tonga, Türkiye, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, and Vanuatu. Key Features of the Immi App Expansion: A final rollout to all remaining countries participating in Australia’s biometric collection program is scheduled for early 2026, further expanding access to the Immi App and enhancing global access to Australia’s visa system. For more information click here

Australia has introduced important reforms to make it easier for individuals to prove their Australian citizenship. These changes support the Government’s efforts to modernise services and reduce the need for repeated paperwork. Under the updated rules, digital notices of citizenship evidence can now be issued alongside traditional paper citizenship certificates. This means individuals may receive digital proof of citizenship, making it simpler to access and share citizenship evidence when needed. The reforms also clarify the difference between physical certificates and digital notices. If citizenship is revoked or cancelled, surrender requirements will apply only to physical certificates, recognising that digital evidence operates differently. These changes came into effect on 5 December 2025. From this date, government agencies and service providers are expected to accept digital notices as valid evidence of Australian citizenship. Click here: Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2025

The UK Government has introduced new entry requirements for individuals who hold both British and Irish citizenship. From 25 February 2025, dual British and Irish citizens must travel to and enter the United Kingdom using: Entry into the UK will no longer be allowed if you are travelling only on a passport from another nationality. While this change does not affect Australian migration law, it may be relevant if you: We recommend checking your travel documents before departure to ensure you meet the updated UK entry requirements. View the full guidance on the UK Government website.

The Tasmanian government has implemented minor adjustments to its skilled migration program settings. These changes aim to improve clarity and ensure that the program aligns with the region’s economic needs. These adjustments will not affect any existing Registrations of Interest (ROIs), and the new criteria will apply only to new ROIs submitted after the changes. Key Changes: Subclass 491 Tasmanian Skilled Employment Pathway Orange-plus Attribute Update: The score for the employment-related attribute has been increased from 30 to 35 points. This change aims to better recognize longer-term employment in roles that are relevant to the skills assessment. Updated Criteria: Orange Attribute Update: To avoid confusion with the Orange-plus attribute, the criteria for the Orange attribute have been amended. Updated Criteria: Impact: Subclass 190 and 491 Tasmanian Skilled Graduate Pathways Orange-plus Attribute – Graduate Program Offer: The requirement for the graduate program offer has been updated to remove the restriction on whether the program has commenced. Updated Criteria: Subclass 190 Tasmanian Established Resident Pathway Minimum Requirements Clarification: The wording for the business operation requirement has been updated for clarity. Updated Criteria: Click here: Subclass 491 Tasmanian Skilled Employment Pathway Subclass 190 Tasmanian Established Resident Pathway Subclass 190 and 491 Tasmanian Skilled Graduate Pathways

The NSW Government has announced that Pathway 1 and Pathway 3 for the Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491) have already reached their limit for the 2025/26 program year. These pathways opened on 19 January 2026, but because so many people applied on the first day, NSW received more applications than the number of places available. As a result, both pathways closed on the same day and are no longer accepting new applications. What happens now? Expedited (faster) assessment requests NSW will only consider urgent processing if the applicant has 10 business days or less before: For more information click here.