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The Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 6 April 2026 and is now in effect. This confirms that the legislative changes introducing the public register of approved work sponsors have officially commenced. The register will include standard business sponsors and accredited sponsors who nominate skilled workers for entry into Australia. Click here: Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Act 2026

The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) has launched its 2026 Small Business Perspectives Survey, focusing on businesses in regional, rural and remote areas. The survey aims to understand the current challenges faced by small businesses outside metropolitan areas including workforce shortages, housing and childcare access, rising costs, and regulatory pressures. Insights gathered will help inform advocacy efforts and policy development aimed at improving support for regional businesses—particularly those experiencing ongoing challenges in attracting and retaining skilled workers. Open to businesses in regional, rural and remote Australia, the survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. All responses are confidential and independently managed. The survey will close on 30 April 2026. For Participation Click here

The Australian Government has progressed new legislation aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability within the skilled migration system through the introduction of a public register of approved work sponsors. The Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Bill 2025 seeks to amend the Migration Act 1958 to provide for the publication of a register of approved work sponsors. This register will include both standard business sponsors and accredited sponsors who nominate skilled workers for entry into Australia. The register, to be maintained by the Department of Home Affairs and made publicly accessible via its official website, is expected to include the following information: This initiative is intended to promote greater transparency within the employer-sponsored visa program, enhance regulatory oversight, and support compliance across sponsoring entities. The Bill was introduced on 27 November 2025 and passed both Houses of Parliament on 1 April 2026. It will commence upon receiving Royal Assent, either on a date to be fixed by proclamation or within six months thereafter. Click here: Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Bill 2025

The LEGENDcom update incorporates key regulatory and legislative changes affecting registered migration agents, effective from 1 April 2026. The following legislative instruments and regulations are included: These changes introduce updated professional standards, revised CPD requirements, and new registration criteria, ensuring the regulatory framework remains aligned with current industry practices and expectations. The LEGENDcom update ensures that all relevant policy and procedural guidance reflects these legislative changes, supporting consistent application across the migration advice sector.

The New South Wales and Victorian Governments have released important updates on skilled visa invitation rounds and business visa nomination requirements, providing key timelines and compliance expectations for applicants. NSW – Skilled Visa Invitation Rounds The New South Wales Government has confirmed upcoming invitation rounds for skilled migration visas: Applicants should ensure their profiles accurately reflect their qualifications and eligibility to maximise invitation prospects. Victoria – Sc 888 & Sc 188 Extension Stream Nominations The Victorian Government continues to accept nominations for all Subclass 888 visa streams and the Subclass 188 Extension stream; however, it has noted that many recent applications do not meet eligibility criteria. Key requirements include: Information Session To support applicants, the Victorian Government will host an information session on Monday, 13 April 2026, focusing on Subclass 188 extension and Subclass 888 nomination requirements, including eligibility and application processes. These updates highlight the importance of timely EOI updates and strict compliance with nomination criteria, particularly as states manage limited allocations and increasing application volumes. Click here: Business visa – Priority processing request                         Information session – Victorian Business Innovation & Investment Nom requirements

The Department of Home Affairs has released an update on Partner visa processing. The update outlines key changes to current Partner visa processing practices. It highlights key areas such as common issues that contribute to processing delays, updated evidentiary expectations, and guidance on appropriate communication with the Partner visa team. These updates are intended to help applicants and representatives prepare complete and well-organised applications to support efficient processing. It also outlines important information regarding permanent partner visa eligibility and ongoing sponsor obligations. Applicants are encouraged to review these updates carefully to ensure they meet all requirements and avoid unnecessary delays. Click here: Partner Processing Newsletter

The Department of Home Affairs has expanded the Australian Immi App to improve accessibility for visa applicants. From 24 March 2026, the app is now available in 47 countries, providing a faster and more efficient way to submit passport details and facial biometrics without needing to attend a biometric collection centre in many cases. The app is now available in 13 additional countries: For more information click here

The addition of Child Care Worker (not Group Leader) and Out of School Hours Care Worker to the Combined Skilled Occupation List (CSOL) has led to updates under the FNQ DAMA. These changes align the skills, qualifications, and experience requirements for these occupations with standard skilled migration programs where occupations appear across multiple lists. As a result, any new or recently executed FNQ DAMA labour agreements that include these roles will have revised requirements compared to earlier agreements. The Cairns Chamber of Commerce has updated the FNQ DAMA Occupation and Concession List, along with the FNQ DAMA Information Guide, to reflect these changes. These updates ensure consistency and clarity for employers and applicants using the FNQ DAMA program. Click here: Cairns Chamber of Commerce 

The Australian Government has introduced travel restrictions for certain visa holders and changes to skills assessing authorities for specific occupations. New measures affect offshore Iranian Visitor (Subclass 600) visa holders, while separate amendments update assessing authorities for Surveyor and Information and Organisation Professionals NEC occupations. Arrival Control Determination (Subclass 600 – Iranian passport holders) A new determination, effective from 26 March 2026, temporarily suspends the validity of Visitor (Subclass 600) visas for certain offshore applicants who applied using an Iranian passport. This applies only to individuals who were outside Australia at the time the determination commenced. Affected visa holders will not receive refunds unless they meet specific criteria. Exemptions: PTC (Permitted Travel Certificate): A request for a Permitted Travel Certificate (PTC) can be made through the Department’s Arrival Control Determination Portal. Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis and are only granted in limited circumstances. These may include individuals who are the parent of an Australian citizen or can demonstrate a genuine intention to stay in Australia temporarily. A PTC request must include a strong submission with supporting evidence. Further details on required documentation are available on the Department’s website. Requests should be lodged: Individuals who are granted a PTC may travel to Australia if they hold a valid visa. However, they must also provide evidence that travel restrictions do not apply to them before departure. Arrival Control Determination Check Before travelling, individuals should check whether their Visitor visa has been affected. This can be done by requesting an Arrival Control Determination check through the Department of Home Affairs’ Arrival Control Determination Portal. Skills Assessing Authority Updates The Migration Legislation Amendment (Assessing Authorities) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/027) introduces important updates to the Institution of Surveyors New South Wales Ltd (ISNSW) as the assessing authority specified for the occupation of Surveyor. All changes under this instrument come into effect from 28 March 2026. Surveyor Occupation (ANZSCO 232212) The Institution of Surveyors New South Wales Ltd (ISNSW) is now the official assessing authority, as announced in October 2025. This follows the liquidation of the Geospatial Council of Australia (GCA) on 21 August 2025. Transitional arrangements: Transitional arrangements provide that applications made on or after 8 October 2025 fall under ISNSW. Applicants who obtained skills assessments from GCA on or before 21 August 2025 may continue to use those assessments to support visa applications lodged before, on, or after 28 March 2026. Clarification has been made regarding assessing authorities, with VETASSESS designated as the primary authority, while ACS will assess applicants applying specifically as Data Scientists. This amendment applies to applications lodged but not finalised on or after 14 December 2024. Click here: Migration (Arrival Control) Determination 2026        Arrival Control Determination (ACD) Checks        Migration Legislation Amendment (Assessing Authorities) Instrument 2026

LEGENDcom reflects legislative amendments introduced under the Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Act 2026, which expand the Minister’s authority to manage travel restrictions during periods of international risk. These changes strengthen the Government’s ability to respond quickly to international developments affecting travel. The updates reflect a broader shift toward proactive migration management. Amendments to the Migration Act 1958, effective 14 March 2026, provide the Minister for Immigration with the authority to temporarily restrict entry into Australia for certain offshore temporary visa holders. These provisions are intended to support a more responsive and flexible approach to international risks, including emergencies and disruptions affecting travel and border operations. The LEGENDcom update also includes revisions to several Policy and Procedural Instructions (PI) including: These updates ensure that operational guidance remains consistent with current legislation, supporting accurate and informed decision-making across migration and health assessment processes. Click here: Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Act 2026