WORK VISA Lawyers

05/06/2026

🎉 Exciting news for many skilled visa applicants!

This week, we were very excited to see the 189 invitation round, with invitations for applicants in occupations such as:

👷 Construction trades
👩‍⚕️ Nurses
🤝 Social workers
✅ And many other occupations

The full list of invited occupations and minimum points should be available soon on the Department of Home Affairs website.

State and Territory governments are also finalising invitations for the last places before the financial year ends on 30 June. So this is an important time for many skilled visa applicants in Australia.

Now we want to know… how would you feel if you received your invitation? 👀

Tell us in the comments! 👇

05/06/2026

🇦🇺 Want to learn Australian migration faster?

Australian visa rules can feel confusing, especially when the information keeps changing. But learning migration does not have to be overwhelming.

In this video, Chris Johnston shares 3 simple ways to learn Australian migration faster, including how to understand visa pathways, keep up with important changes, and build your knowledge step by step.

This is helpful for:
✅ visa applicants
✅ international students
✅ employers
✅ anyone interested in Australian migration

🎥 Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/MNqtfkxea_0?si=1JOzyBXa6Y7OqeE5

What part of Australian migration do you find the hardest to understand? Let us know in the comments 👇

In this video, we’ll delve into the topic and provide a comprehensi...

04/06/2026

🌏 Regional migration is not just about visas — it is about people, businesses, families and the future of regional Australia.

In his latest article, Chris Johnston - Principal Lawyer, Educator & Founder of Work Visa Lawyers shares key takeaways from the MIA Regional Migration Conference 2026 on the Gold Coast.

One clear message from the conference was that targeted regional visas are becoming more important for Australia’s future.

The strong growth in DAMA activity shows that regional employers need practical visa pathways to fill real skill shortages in their local areas.

Across the states and territories discussed at the conference, DAMA activity included:

✅ 2,831 labour agreements
✅ 5,069 visa grants

These numbers represent more than visa statistics. They show regional businesses finding workers, communities being supported, and local industries continuing to grow.

Regional Australia needs skilled workers in health, education, construction, agriculture, mining, tourism, infrastructure and many other essential sectors.

Chris’ key takeaway is clear: the future of regional migration should include more targeted regional visa pathways that are designed around real local needs.

Read Chris Johnston’s full article here: https://www.workvisalawyers.com.au/news/all/mia-regional-migration-conference-2026-key-takeaways-from-the-gold-coast.html

Chris Johnston shares key takeaways from the MIA Regional Migration Conference 2026, including regional visas, DAMAs, 491 and 494 visa issues, workforce shortages and the future of regional migration in Australia.

02/06/2026

🚨 Salary thresholds for employer-sponsored visas are increasing from 1 July 2026! 🚨

If you’re planning to lodge a nomination for a Subclass 482 or Subclass 186 visa, now is the time to act.

📈 The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) is increasing from $76,515 to $79,499.

📈 The Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) is increasing from $141,210 to $146,717.

The 482 and 186 visas remain some of the most valuable pathways for skilled workers and Australian employers. ✅

Need help with your application? We assist both employers and visa applicants through the entire process.

📩 Send us a message today and let’s get your application lodged before the increase takes effect.

01/06/2026

🚨 5 Migration Updates Happening This Week! 🇦🇺

If you’re planning your migration journey, don’t miss these important updates 👇

1️⃣ Student visa refusals can now be reviewed “on the papers” from 1 June 2026, meaning some reviews may proceed without a hearing.

2️⃣ South Australia’s 190 and 491 State Nomination ROIs close at ⏰ 9:00am on Tuesday, 2 June 2026.

3️⃣ Tasmania’s 2025–26 State Nomination ROIs close at ⏰ 5:00pm on Wednesday, 3 June 2026.

4️⃣ A new Subclass 189 invitation round is scheduled for 📅 4 June 2026.

5️⃣ Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa ballot registrations for 🇨🇳 China, 🇮🇳 India and 🇻🇳 Vietnam open on 4 June 2026 and close on 25 June 2026.

⚠️ A busy week for migration applicants and prospective migrants!

Follow for the latest Australian migration news, visa updates and policy changes. More updates coming soon 👀

31/05/2026

Want Australian PR in 2026?

Avoid these common mistakes that could hurt your chances:
⚠️ Applying under the wrong visa pathway
⚠️ Missing key eligibility requirements
⚠️ Weak employment documentation
⚠️ Assuming PR will “just happen” later

Your PR pathway can depend on your occupation, age, salary, work experience and visa history.

Plan early. Small mistakes can create big problems later.

Read more:
https://www.workvisalawyers.com.au/news/all/4-common-australian-pr-mistakes-that-can-ruin-your-chances-in-2026.html

Planning for Australian permanent residency? Learn four common PR mistakes with occupation, salary, work evidence and age — and how to avoid them.

30/05/2026

Big change for employer-sponsored visas in Australia.

A new Approved Work Sponsor Register may soon show which businesses are approved to sponsor skilled workers.

This could help visa applicants make more targeted job applications — but it does not mean contacting every sponsor on the list.

For employers, it may also mean more sponsorship enquiries.

Whether you are a business or a skilled worker, it is important to understand how this change may affect you.

Read more:
https://www.workvisalawyers.com.au/news/all/the-new-approved-work-sponsor-register-2026-what-employers-visa-applicants-must-know.html

Australia's new Migration Amendment Act 2026 introduces a public Approved Work Sponsor Register. Learn what information will be published and how this impacts employers and sponsored visa applicants.

29/05/2026

Is the National Innovation Visa one of the fastest ways to get Australian PR in 2026? 🇦🇺

The short answer is: it can be — but it is not for everyone.

The National Innovation Visa subclass 858 is for people with exceptional talent and strong achievements, such as researchers, entrepreneurs, innovative investors, high-level professionals, athletes and creatives.

In this video, Chris explains who this visa may suit, what achievements may help, and why eligibility is so important.

🎥 Watch the full video here:
https://youtu.be/_eeyqqrixvA?si=hEUouzqYfxSQ8aib

Have you heard about the National Innovation Visa before?

In this video, we’ll delve into the topic and provide a comprehensi...

29/05/2026

Learn more about LanguageCert English Test for Australian Visas. 🇦🇺

From 7 August 2025, LanguageCert Academic will be accepted by the Dept of Home Affairs for Australian visa purposes.

This gives visa applicants another English test option, alongside IELTS, PTE, TOEFL and OET. But remember: for visas, the test must be taken at an approved secure test centre. Online or at-home tests are not accepted.

Planning your Australian visa? Make sure you know which English test and score you need.
Contact Work Visa Lawyers for guidance.

29/05/2026

When two migration YouTubers meet at a migration conference… you know there will be plenty to talk about! 🎥😄

Chris Johnston from Work Visa Lawyers caught up with Suman Dua at the MIA Regional Migration Conference 2026.

Both Chris and Suman share migration updates online and help make Australian visa information easier to understand for people from many backgrounds.

It was great to connect, share ideas and enjoy a few laughs with others in the migration community.

A big thank you to the Migration Institute of Australia for bringing everyone together for such a great event.