IMMIGRATION UPDATES

Australian Migration System 2026 Legislative Updates

At Australian Migration Co, our primary goal is to ensure our clients always have access to the most up-to-date information. Our team closely monitors developments in Australian migration legislation and provides you with accurate and reliable guidance on visa categories, policy changes, and legal regulations.

With expertise spanning employer-sponsored visas, skilled migration programs, student visas, and partner visas, our team professionally manages complex application processes on your behalf. Our aim is to be by your side at every step of your migration journey to Australia and to support you in completing the process as smoothly as possible.

New Offshore Lodgement Rules for Student Visa Applications

On 2 October 2026, the Migration Amendment (Student Visa Reform) Regulations 2026 changed who can apply for a Student visa (subclass 500) onshore. Student visa holders must now apply for a further Student visa from outside Australia unless an exemption under the Regulations or LIN 26/087 applies, such as doctoral study, Defence or Foreign Affairs sponsorship, school study, finishing the current course within 12 months of its original end date, or, after completing it, moving to a course at a higher AQF level. Under LIN 26/102, holders of listed visas, including subclasses 482, 485, 417, 462 and 600, can no longer apply onshore, so a sponsored worker or working holiday maker must leave Australia to apply. In both cases the applicant must also be outside Australia when the visa is granted. Family members can be included only in limited cases and cannot be added later. Applications lodged before 2 October are assessed under the previous rules.

New Priority Order for Subclass 482 and Skilled Visa Applications

On 19 September 2026, two new Ministerial Directions took effect, replacing the previous Direction 119 that set how the Department prioritises visa processing. Direction 121 now governs the processing order for subclass 482 applications on their own, while Direction 122 covers the remaining skilled visa subclasses, including 186, 189, 190, 491 and 494. Both directions place construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, resources, law enforcement and defence occupations into a single top priority tier, ahead of most other applications including applications already on hand before the change. A compelling-circumstances exception, not available under the old Direction, lets a delegate depart from the standard order where community safety or essential community services are affected.
australian visa updates 2026

Post-Graduation Work Visa (Subclass 485) Fee Increase

As of 1 March 2026, an unexpected increase has been applied to the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) application fees. Under the new regulation, the application cost has been raised to AUD 4,600. The fact that this financial update — which is ordinarily applied in July — has been brought forward to March means candidates must urgently revise their financial planning and budget management.
Australian Department of Home Affairs Automated Assessment System Upgrade 2026

Digital Transformation in Australian Visa Applications: Fast-Track Assessment and Automation Update

The Australian Department of Home Affairs updated its Automated Assessment System on 25 March 2026 to accelerate student and work visa processing. Supported by next-generation data verification algorithms, this system aims to digitalise the pre-screening processes of application files, thereby increasing operational efficiency.
South Australia Skilled Migration Invitation Round April 2026 - Subclass 190 and 491

South Australia Strategic Invitation Round: April 2026 Data Report

On 9 April 2026, South Australia conducted the first major invitation round of the new quarter, issuing a total of 445 invitations (245 Subclass 190 and 200 Subclass 491). The process prioritised the Health, Engineering, and ICT sectors, with 70% of the annual quota already utilised. Based on current trends, invitation rounds are expected to continue on a monthly basis until the end of June.
Australia Partner Visa Evidence Requirements Tightened April 2026

Update to Australian Partner Visa Evidence Standards

As of 8 April 2026, the Australian Department of Home Affairs has tightened the standards for submitting evidence and the review procedures for Partner Visa applications. Under the new regulation, documents demonstrating the continuity and genuineness of the relationship will be subject to more comprehensive scrutiny. It is critical for applicants to fully support their declarations with concrete financial and social documentation for a successful visa approval process.
Australia TSMIT Threshold Updated to AUD 79499 from 1 July 2026 Employer Sponsored Visa

New Salary Threshold for Australian Employer-Sponsored Visa Categories: TSMIT 2026

Effective 1 July 2026, the TSMIT (Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold) — the benchmark for employer-sponsored visas — has been set at AUD 79,499. In line with this update, it is strategically essential for candidates and sponsoring organisations to revise their visa strategies and urgently align employment contracts with current legislation. Financial planning based on this new threshold is of critical importance for the smooth management of the process.
Australia Temporary Travel Restriction Iranian Passport Subclass 600 Visitor Visa March 2026

Australian Tourist Visa (Subclass 600): Visitor Visa Restriction for Iranian Nationals

The Australian Government has introduced temporary restrictions, effective 26 March 2026, on the entry of Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa holders with Iranian passports. This regulation, planned to last six months, has been put in place for the purposes of border security and monitoring visa compliance processes. It is recommended that affected visa holders revise their travel plans in line with this updated legislation.
Australia National Innovation Visa Subclass 858 Skilled Migration Update 2026

Australia's Latest Visa Move: Attracting Skilled Migrants with the New Innovation Visa

Australia is revising its talent visa programs with July updates. While the existing Skilled Worker system is being streamlined, a new subcategory called the "National Innovation Visa" has been announced for highly qualified professionals. This arrangement offers a direct pathway to permanent residency in strategic sectors such as technology and healthcare, promising a faster process for candidates while aiming to attract global talent to the country.
Victoria Skilled Migration Program Closes New ROI Registrations 28 April 2026 Subclass 190 491

Victoria State Closes Its Skilled Migration Program

Victoria state has announced that it will close skilled migration visa applications (Expressions of Interest/ROI) for the 2025–26 period as of 28 April 2026. This decision, which covers both Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 visas, is related to the quota being filled. It is critically important for candidates planning to apply to act quickly; while existing applications will continue to be assessed, no new registrations will be accepted.

Our Consultation Process PERSONALISED  COMPREHENSIVE  TRANSPARENT TRUSTWORTHY  UP TO DATE

Australia’s immigration policies are continuously updated in line with economic needs, societal changes, and global developments. These changes can directly affect visa application conditions, processing procedures, and compliance requirements. Therefore, having access to current information and interpreting it correctly is of great importance.

At Australian Migration Co, we serve our clients only with the most up-to-date legislative knowledge. Our team closely monitors every legal regulation and clearly explains how these changes will affect your specific situation. Every client’s circumstances are unique; that is why we develop personalised strategies and provide you with the most suitable roadmap for a successful migration process. We are proud to be your trusted partner on the road to Australia.