WORK VISA Lawyers

04/09/2026

🚨Why is the Australian Government getting tougher on student visas?

A major reason is Net Overseas Migration (NOM). The Government wants fewer people arriving in Australia and more people leaving.

We are already seeing:

❌ More student visa refusals
❌ Tighter visa rules
❌ Action against courses linked to non-genuine students

The cancellation of the Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning) is one example.

⚠️ And more changes could be coming, including changes to student visas, visitor visas, training visas and working holiday visas.

04/09/2026

Applying for an Australian visa? Make sure every detail is 100% correct! 🇦🇺

Under Australian immigration law, a rule called PIC 4020 means you must always provide genuine and accurate information. If the Department of Home Affairs finds false documents or misleading details in your application—even if someone else prepared it for you—your visa can be refused.

The penalty is severe. If your visa is refused under PIC 4020, you could be banned from applying for another Australian visa for 3 to 10 years.

If you receive a warning letter from the Department (called a Section 57 Natural Justice letter), do not reply without getting professional advice first. Getting it wrong can cost you years of opportunity.

Need help checking your application or responding to a visa refusal? Read our complete guide to avoiding PIC 4020 refusals at the link below, or send us a message today to speak with an expert immigration lawyer.

Read the full article here: https://www.workvisalawyers.com.au/news/all/understanding-pic-4020-avoiding-an-australian-visa-refusal.html

Learn what PIC 4020 means for your Australian visa, what triggers a refusal, and how a 3 or 10-year ban can be avoided or waived.

04/09/2026

🚨 Australia has cancelled a course for new international students!

The Government has stopped new international student enrolments in the Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning) (GDML).

The Government says the course was being used by some non-genuine students to transfer courses while already in Australia and was associated with high visa refusal rates and course non-completion.

📊 452 providers were registered to offer the course, with more than 41,000 active Confirmations of Enrolment (CoEs). Around 15,772 students are currently studying the course.

🎓 Students who have already started the course can continue and complete their studies with their current provider.

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02/09/2026

Are you a physiotherapist, psychologist, occupational therapist, or work in another allied health profession?

Your skills are in demand in Australia, and there are different visa options available for you.

You might qualify for points-based visas like the 189 or 190, or employer-sponsored visas like the 482 or 186. The best option will depend on your personal situation.

Our team of migration lawyers can help you understand your visa options and guide you through the application process.

👉 Learn more in our full guide here: https://www.workvisalawyers.com.au/news/all/most-common-health-occupations-that-can-secure-pr-in-australia.html

Note: Most allied health professionals in Australia are required to be registered or accredited with the appropriate national board or authority, such as AHPRA, before they can legally work.

02/09/2026

Waiting for your Australian Family or Partner Visa? 🛑

The new Direction 117 has changed the rules! The Australian government is now giving priority to onshore applicants, which has caused a lot of confusion and stress for families waiting overseas.

In our latest video, we answer your top 4 questions about these visa delays in simple, easy-to-understand English. We cover:
✔️ Should you withdraw and apply onshore instead?
✔️ Will newer applications jump ahead of you in the queue?
✔️ Can you ask for priority processing?
✔️ What happens if you travel on a Bridging Visa?

Don't wait in the dark. Find out what these changes mean for you and your loved ones.

📺 Watch the full video on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/YQIoZPZndBM?si=leaZcdsKWLBVOsBx

In this video, we answer 4 common questions on family and partner v...

30/08/2026

👶Does having a baby with an Australian citizen or permanent resident guarantee a Partner Visa?

No. ❌

Having a child can be an important part of your circumstances, but you still need to meet the Partner Visa requirements, including proving that your relationship is genuine and ongoing and meeting health and character requirements.

Every application is assessed on its own circumstances.

➡ If you’re unsure about your Partner Visa options, book an appointment with our team. Link in our bio.

29/08/2026

🚨 Australian visa refused? Here are 3 common reasons why visas get refused:

1️⃣ Not providing enough evidence
Your application needs to clearly show that you meet the visa requirements.

2️⃣ Not responding properly to Department concerns
If the Department of Home Affairs asks for more information, your response can be critical.

3️⃣ Not fully understanding the visa requirements
Choosing the wrong pathway or missing an important requirement can lead to refusal.

Before you apply, make sure your application is complete, accurate and supported by strong evidence.

If your Australian visa has been refused, contact our office to book an appointment with one of our immigration lawyers or registered migration agents:

📞 Call: +61 8 8351 9956
📧 Email: [email protected]

28/08/2026

📊 How many people are waiting for Australia’s 189, 190 and 491 visas?

Department of Home Affairs data, as at 28 February 2026, shows a large number of applicants already waiting for a decision:

➡ 189 Skilled Independent: 9,922 applicants
➡ 190 Skilled Nominated: 22,648 applicants
➡ 491 Skilled Work Regional: 19,258 applicants

These figures include primary and secondary applicants and show just how large the existing queue is, particularly for the 190 and 491 visas.

For the 491 visa, current processing times indicate that 50% of applications are processed within 12 months and 90% within 18 months.

It’s also important to remember that the 491 does not lead directly to permanent residency. You generally need to hold it for at least 3 years before applying for the 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.

27/08/2026

🚨 Almost $8 million in 462 visa ballot fees! 💰

In the 2025–26 462 Work and Holiday visa ballot, 319,963 people registered from India, China and Vietnam. The registration fee was $25.

Here’s the breakdown:

🇮🇳 India: 271,254 registrations
🎫 Places available: 1,000
💰 $6,781,350 in registration fees
🎯 Approx. selection rate: 0.37% — 1 in 271

🇨🇳 China: 42,149 registrations
🎫 Places available: 5,000
💰 $1,053,725 in registration fees
🎯 Approx. selection rate: 11.86% — 1 in 8

🇻🇳 Vietnam: 6,560 registrations
🎫 Places available: 1,500
💰 $164,000 in registration fees
🎯 Approx. selection rate: 22.87% — 1 in 4

➡ TOTAL: 319,963 registrations
➡ 7,500 places available
➡ $7,999,075 — almost $8 million in registration fees
➡ Approx. overall selection rate: 2.34% — 1 in 43

And remember, the $25 is just to enter the ballot. It does not pay for the visa itself.

The Government says the ballot provides a fairer and more transparent way to manage high demand.

But is it fair to charge people $25 just for the chance to apply?

27/08/2026

🚨 Is your country next? 👀

🇦🇺 The 462 Work and Holiday visa ballot could soon expand to more countries.

The Australian Government currently uses a ballot system for applicants from China, India and Vietnam, and Indonesia is also moving to a ballot system later this year.

Under the ballot system, you must first register and, if selected, you can then apply for the visa.

The 462 program is currently paused for most countries, and we don’t yet know exactly when the ballot will be expanded. But it looks like more countries could be added.