News

The Australian Government has released the Migration Amendment (Skilled Visa Reform Technical Measures) Regulations 2025, which take effect on 29 November 2025. The changes clarify how the new Subclass 482 – Skills in Demand (SID) visa operates within the existing framework previously applied to the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa. Key Changes Integration into cancellation and sponsorship frameworks: The SID visa is now formally included in the same cancellation, sponsorship and review provisions that operate for the TSS visa. Consistent employer obligations: Obligations for approved sponsors now expressly apply to both primary and secondary SID visa holders in the same way they apply to TSS holders. Alignment with prior TSS arrangements: The regulatory structure for the SID visa is aligned with the former Subclass 482 TSS visa to ensure continuity and clarity across both programs. Review rights clarified for Offshore Applicants: Refusals of SID visa applications in circumstances equivalent to TSS refusals are now confirmed as reviewable migration decisions. ENS 186 TRT pathway clarified: Employment experience used to meet the Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) TRT stream requirements must be undertaken with an approved work sponsor, formally codifying long-standing policy practice. These amendments support the broader Skilled Visa Reform agenda and ensuring consistent, transparent operation of Australia’s employer-sponsored migration framework. Click here: Migration Amendment (Skilled Visa Reform Technical Measures) Regulations 2025

The Victorian Government will hold a live webinar to provide migration professionals with insights into the 2025–26 Skilled Visa Nomination Program. This session is aimed at migration agents, lawyers, and other interested stakeholders. The webinar offers an opportunity to gain direct insights from Victoria’s Skilled Migration Program, including nomination pathways, eligibility requirements, priority sectors, and the application process. Event Details: Date: Thursday, 27 November 2025 Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm AEDT Key Topics Covered in the Webinar: Available skilled visa nomination options in Victoria Eligibility requirements for applicants Step-by-step application process Priority sectors for nominations Opportunity to submit questions in advance To register for the webinar click here

The Department of Home Affairs has announced the state and territory nomination allocations for the 2025–26 program year. A total of 20,350 skilled migration nominations are available across Australia’s states and territories. These allocations apply to two key skilled visa streams: Skilled – Nominated (subclass 190) Skilled Work Regional (provisional) (subclass 491) State / Territory Subclass 190 Subclass 491 ACT 800 800 NSW 2,100 1,500 NT 850 800 QLD 1,850 750 SA 1,350 900 TAS 1,200 650 VIC 2,700 700 WA 2,000 1,400 Total 12,850 7,500   These allocations allow each state and territory to nominate skilled migrants according to their own criteria, tailored to local workforce needs. While these numbers set the ceiling for nominations, they do not guarantee visa grants. The actual number of visas issued will still depend on visa application processing, on‑hand applications, and the broader Migration Program planning levels. Click here: State and Territory Nomination Allocations

The Department of Home Affairs has announced that the ballot for the 2025–26 program year of the MATES ( Mobility Access Training for Education and Skills)‑India initiative is now open. It allows skilled Indian graduates and early-career professionals to gain valuable work experience in Australia without employer sponsorship. The eligible Indian graduates can apply between 1 November 2025 and 14 December 2025. Those selected through the ballot will be notified by the Department and invited to lodge a visa application. The ballot registration fee is AUD 25. The MATES program offers up to 3,000 primary applicants each year for skilled Indian graduates and early-career professionals to live and work in Australia for up to two years. Primary applicants may bring members of the family unit, who will not be counted towards the 3,000 places. Click here: MATE-Professionals Scheme 403 – Ballot Registration

The Department of Home Affairs has announced updates to migration and citizenship policies on LEGENDcom as of 7 November 2025. Migration Stack Updates Key updates to Migration Policy and Procedural Instructions (PIs) include: Citizenship Stack Updates Key updates to Citizenship Policies and Procedures include: These updates provide guidance for visa applicants, sponsors, and citizenship applicants, ensuring compliance with current legislative and procedural requirements. Click here: Migration Stack Update and Citizenship Stack Update

The NT Government has now received full allocations for the 2025-26 program year from the Australian Government. The NT Nomination application portal is intended to be opened by 24 November 2025 to new applications for all onshore and offshore streams. The NT has been allocated 1650 places, divided as follows: Please note that the NT Government cannot guarantee nominations before visa deadlines. Those who are onshore and have visas expiring should seek professional advice from a Registered Migration Agent or Legal Practitioner on their visa options and ensure that they remain lawful in Australia. Click here: NT Government Visa Nomination and Eligibility Requirements

Online lodgement for Class XB Refugee and Humanitarian visa applications was initially introduced on 1 July 2025 for applicants with a proposer. From 29 November 2025, this requirement will be extended to include applicants without a proposer. All eligible applicants (excluding those under the Community Support Program) will be required to submit their applications online via Immi Account.  The Department continues to expand online lodgement to improve user experience and deliver efficiencies. Currently, offshore humanitarian applicants may face difficulty lodging applications due to their location or unreliable postal systems. Online lodgement will allow applicants to self-serve, upload and attach relevant documentation and check the status of the application online. Click here: Fact Sheet – Online lodgement for Class XB Refugee and Humanitarian visas

The Department of Home Affairs is seeking community input on the translation of its web pages into Turkish, Russian, Korean, and Hindi. Members of the public are invited to review sample translations and complete an online survey, which requires approximately 10–15 minutes to complete. The feedback will assist the Department in enhancing the quality and accessibility of translated content, ensuring that key information is clear, accurate, and readily available to non-English-speaking communities. The Department encourages participants to share the invitation with family, friends, community networks, and relevant groups to broaden engagement. Additional Engagement Opportunity Participants may also opt to join a virtual group discussion, providing an opportunity to offer more detailed feedback or ask questions regarding the translation project. For registration Click here

The Department of Home Affairs has updated how processing priorities are assigned for applications for the Subclass 500 (Student) visa. For applications lodged inside Australia, the rule remains that they are assessed in the order of lodgement. For applications lodged outside Australia, two Ministerial Directions apply depending on the date of lodgement. For applications lodged before 14 November 2025, the assessment follows Ministerial Direction 111 – Order for considering and disposing of offshore Subclass 500 (Student) visa applications. Under Direction 111, applications are split into two priority levels: For applications lodged on or after 14 November 2025, they follow Ministerial Direction 115 – Order for considering and disposing of offshore Subclass 500 (Student) visa applications. Under Direction 115, applications are split into three priority levels: Processing-time under MD111 and MD115: These periods are based on 2025 lodgements and processing resources and can change, particularly when lodgements increase, and in peak periods. Allocation times are subject to change. Processing times vary depending on volumes, integrity checks, completeness of applications and applicants meeting the identity, character and health requirements. Key Information: Click here: Student Visa Processing Priorities

The Department of Home Affairs has provided the latest update on processing times for the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa program amid high application volumes. The Employer Sponsored Program Delivery (ESPD) team has reported receiving a significant number of applications under the Subclass 186 visa. As of 31 October 2025, the ESPD confirmed it cannot specify exact assessment timelines but is currently processing applications as follows: Applicants and sponsors are encouraged to plan accordingly and stay updated on the status of their submissions due to ongoing high volumes.