The Migration Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2025 introduce important changes to the Migration Regulations 1994, aiming to protect temporary visa holders, modernise penalties, and enhance community safety while addressing recent court decisions to maintain a fair and transparent migration system.
These amendments, effective from 12 December 2025, reflect the government’s ongoing efforts to improve Australia’s migration system and ensure fairness and safety in the community.
Key Amendments:
Part 1 — Prohibited Employers
Employers convicted of intentionally underpaying a temporary migrant worker under section 327A of the Fair Work Act 2009 will face a migrant worker sanction. This will prevent them from sponsoring temporary workers under the Migration Act, protecting workers from exploitation.
Part 2 — Personal Information Disclosure
This amendment allows for the collection and use of personal information by authorities to inform decisions on issuing certificates to individuals affected by the Love v Commonwealth; Thoms v Commonwealth (2020) decision and assess the possibility of offering permanent stay.
Part 3 — Modernising Penalties for Infringement Notices
Penalties for offences under sections 229 and 230 of the Migration Act will now be based on penalty units rather than specific dollar amounts, aligning penalties with future increases in the value of a penalty unit under the Crimes Act 1914.
Part 4 — Strengthening BVR Management
Changes to the management of Bridging Visa Remain (BVR) holders, especially for New Zealand YQ cohort (NZYQ), include:
- Minister-imposed community protection conditions such as curfews and electronic monitoring
- Temporary suspension of certain conditions during arrest, custody, or medical facility stays
- Restrictions on certain BVR holders or former BVR holders applying for visas, except protection or further BVR applications
Click here: Migration Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2025