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Australia’s student visa refusal rate has reached its highest level in a decade.According to Department of Home Affairs ...
09/09/2026

Australia’s student visa refusal rate has reached its highest level in a decade.
According to Department of Home Affairs data reported by ABC News, 24.2% of primary student visa applications were refused as at June 2026—compared with 7.9% in June 2016.
The Government says this reflects greater scrutiny of applications that do not meet the visa requirements. However, concerns have also been raised about genuine students receiving vague or highly standardised refusal decisions.

For those who want to get in contact with us, send us an email at [email protected] or call us on +61370651628

DISCLAIMER: This disclaimer applies to all social media posts from Maison Chen Law Group and its associated entities. Content in these posts does not constitute immigration or legal advice, is not intended as a substitute for such advice and must not be relied upon as such. The material is designed to provide an informative guideline (current at the time of publication and subject to changes) for general informational purposes only. Please consult an Australian MARA registered agent or Australian Lawyer for professional advice before you make any type of application.

Australia Student Visa Refusal Rate Hits 10-Year High in 2026.Australia's student visa refusal rate reached 24.2% in Jun...
09/09/2026

Australia Student Visa Refusal Rate Hits 10-Year High in 2026.

Australia's student visa refusal rate reached 24.2% in June 2026, up from 7.9% in June 2016.

Nearly 1 in 4 applications were refused. The student visa refusal rate has climbed significantly, from 7.9% in June 2016 to 24.2% in June 2026. That means the June refusal rate is now more than three times the level recorded a decade earlier.

Refusal rates vary significantly by country. For 2025-26, ABC reported Nepal at more than 51% refused, India at more than 40% refused, and China at 5.8% refused. So the overall 24.2% figure does not mean every nationality or applicant faces the same refusal rate.

The Genuine Student requirement matters. Student visa applicants must satisfy the Genuine Student (GS) requirement. Home Affairs considers factors including your circumstances in your home country, your potential circumstances in Australia, how the course benefits your future, your immigration history, and any other relevant circumstances. Home Affairs says increased scrutiny has contributed to higher refusal rates for applications that do not meet visa requirements.

Planning to apply for an Australian Student visa? A long statement or a large number of documents does not automatically make an application stronger. Your application needs to clearly and consistently explain why this course, why Australia, how it fits your background, how it will benefit your future, and whether your documents support what you are saying. Don't treat the GS requirement as a formality.

Planning a Student visa application or dealing with a refusal? Follow and message us to discuss your circumstances.

08/09/2026

Vacating a refusal decision 👏
For those who want to get in contact with us, send us an email at [email protected] or call us on +61370651628

DISCLAIMER: This disclaimer applies to all social media posts from Maison Chen Law Group and its associated entities. Content in these posts does not constitute immigration or legal advice, is not intended as a substitute for such advice and must not be relied upon as such. The material is designed to provide an informative guideline (current at the time of publication and subject to changes) for general informational purposes only. Please consult an Australian MARA registered agent or Australian Lawyer for professional advice before you make any type of application.

How much money do you need for NT skilled migration in 2026?For Northern Territory skilled migration, the financial capa...
08/09/2026

How much money do you need for NT skilled migration in 2026?

For Northern Territory skilled migration, the financial capacity guidance starts at AU$35,000, and increases depending on your family size.

NT financial capacity by family size. Individual applicant: AU$35,000. Applicant + spouse: AU$50,000. Applicant + spouse + 1 child: AU$60,000. Applicant + spouse + 2 children: AU$65,000. The amount increases as more family members are included in your migration plans.

What does "net assets" actually mean? It is not simply your salary or annual income. Net assets = what you own minus what you owe. This may include the value of your savings, investments, property and other assets, minus relevant debts or liabilities. A high income does not necessarily mean a high level of net assets.

Can you rely on NT Government financial support? No. Skilled migrants are expected to be able to support themselves and their family when settling in the Northern Territory. The NT Government does not provide financial assistance to help skilled migrants establish themselves after arrival. That means settlement planning matters before you apply.

Is AU$35,000 a strict minimum requirement? The figures are provided as guidance on the level of financial resources you may need, based on your family composition. Think of the table as a settlement planning guide, not simply a number to reach and forget about. You should also consider your real costs, including housing, transport, food and utilities, initial employment expenses, and family expenses.

Planning to settle in the Northern Territory? Before lodging your NT nomination application, make sure you understand how much you may need to relocate, your current net assets, the cost of living in the NT, and how you will support yourself while settling in.

Don't wait until after nomination to work it out. Planning an NT 190 or 491 pathway? Follow and message us to discuss your circumstances.

Northern Territory Nomination: Does Your Job Count?Working full-time in the NT does not automatically mean your employme...
08/09/2026

Northern Territory Nomination: Does Your Job Count?

Working full-time in the NT does not automatically mean your employment qualifies for Northern Territory skilled nomination.

NT employment requirement: at least 35 hours per week. For Northern Territory nomination, your employment generally needs to be full-time, or the equivalent of full-time through one or more part-time jobs. You generally need to work at least 35 hours per week with an NT employer.

Your job duties must match your nominated occupation. Your job title alone is not enough. For your employment to be considered related to your nominated skilled occupation, the majority of your working time should involve duties that match the skills and knowledge required for that occupation. Your actual duties matter more than the title on your contract.

Migration NT may also assess your employer. Your Northern Territory employer may also need to meet certain requirements, including operating in the NT for at least 12 months and paying an appropriate market salary. Migration NT may look less favourably on arrangements involving serviced offices or hot-desking, or remote work for an interstate employer. Remote employment may only be considered in certain circumstances, including where your work directly services NT clients.

You may need an employer support letter. Your employer may need to provide a letter supporting your NT 190 or 491 nomination. The letter should explain that genuine efforts were made to recruit locally, why you are suitable for the position, and why your continued employment is important to the business. If you hold a Subclass 457 or 482 visa, your sponsor may also need to confirm their support for your NT nomination and acknowledge that you will not remain tied to their business after your 190 or 491 visa is granted.

What if your employer will not provide a support letter? In some circumstances, Migration NT may consider waiving the employer support letter requirement. However, you may need to provide a detailed written explanation outlining why the letter cannot be obtained. Migration NT may also contact your employer directly to verify your employment.

Planning an NT 190 or 491 visa application? Follow and message us to discuss your occupation and circumstances.

Australia International Student Update 2026: Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning) Cancelled for New Enrolments.BSB8...
07/09/2026

Australia International Student Update 2026: Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning) Cancelled for New Enrolments.

BSB80120, the Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning), is being cancelled for new international students. From 5 October 2026, new international students will no longer be able to enrol in or commence this course.

What exactly stops? From 5 October 2026, CRICOS providers will not be able to issue new CoEs for BSB80120, enrol new overseas students, or commence overseas students who have not already started the course. The course's CRICOS registration will be automatically suspended or cancelled, depending on whether the provider still has existing students studying it.

Why was this course targeted? The Government says the course has been associated with significant integrity concerns, including high student visa refusal rates, high rates of course non-completion, use in onshore student transfers, and concerns about non-genuine study. This is the first use of the Government's new course cancellation powers under the ESOS framework.

Already studying, or holding an unused CoE? Read this carefully. If you have already commenced BSB80120 with your current provider before 5 October 2026, you can generally continue studying and complete the course. But if you have a CoE and have not commenced the course by 5 October, that CoE will be automatically cancelled.

How big is this change? The Government reported 452 VET providers registered to deliver the course, 41,033 active CoEs, and 15,772 students recorded as currently studying it. Important: this action applies specifically to BSB80120. It is not a blanket cancellation of all Graduate Diplomas or management courses.

If your enrolment, CoE or Student visa plans involve this course, check your position with your education provider and understand how the change may affect you.

Have questions about your Australian Student visa? Follow and message us to discuss your occupation and circumstances.

07/09/2026

Recent Tasmania invitation round!
For those who want to get in contact with us, call us on +61370651628

DISCLAIMER: This disclaimer applies to all social media posts from Maison Chen Law Group and its associated entities. Content in these posts does not constitute immigration or legal advice, is not intended as a substitute for such advice and must not be relied upon as such. The material is designed to provide an informative guideline (current at the time of publication and subject to changes) for general informational purposes only. Please consult an Australian MARA registered agent or Australian Lawyer for professional advice before you make any type of application.

Australia Visa Processing Times 2026: July Update. Australian visa processing times have changed.How long are Australian...
07/09/2026

Australia Visa Processing Times 2026: July Update. Australian visa processing times have changed.

How long are Australian visas taking? Skilled Permanent visas are currently at 8 months, Partner Provisional/Temporary at 23 months, Skilled Temporary at 98 days, Student at 21 days, Visitor at less than 1 day, and Working Holiday Maker at 5 days. These are median processing times across visa categories, not individual subclass guarantees.

Some processing times moved significantly between June and July. Skilled Permanent actually improved, dropping from 11 months to 8 months. But Partner Provisional/Temporary increased from 17 months to 23 months, Skilled Temporary rose from 47 to 98 days, Student increased from 17 to 21 days, and Working Holiday Maker rose from under 1 day to 5 days. The biggest movements are in Partner and Skilled Temporary processing.

Your visa may take more or less time. A median means around half of recently decided applications were finalised within that timeframe. Your actual processing time can be affected by application completeness, health and character checks, requests for further information, application volumes, migration program places, complexity of the application, and Ministerial processing priorities. Home Affairs also warns that visas within the same category can have very different processing times.

Waiting for an Australian visa? Don't assume someone else's processing time will be the same as yours. Your visa subclass, stream, processing priority and individual circumstances can all affect how long the application takes.

Have questions about your visa application? Follow and message us to discuss your occupation and circumstances.

Do You Need a Job Offer for Australian PR in 2026? The answer is not always.Some Australian skilled migration pathways c...
06/09/2026

Do You Need a Job Offer for Australian PR in 2026? The answer is not always.

Some Australian skilled migration pathways can be pursued without having an employer lined up first.

Subclass 189: no job offer required. The Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189) is points-tested. You generally need to have an eligible occupation, obtain a suitable skills assessment, meet the points-test requirements, and receive an invitation to apply. You do not need state nomination or employer sponsorship.

Subclass 190: job offer required? It depends. A job offer is not a universal Home Affairs requirement for the Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190). However, states and territories set their own nomination criteria, and depending on the pathway, they may consider or require local employment, work experience, residence in the state, or salary and employment conditions.

Subclass 491: can you apply without a job offer? Not always. The Skilled Work Regional visa (Subclass 491) may involve state or territory nomination, or eligible family sponsorship. Some state nomination streams may require employment or a qualifying job offer, while others may have different requirements.

When is a job offer required? For employer-sponsored pathways such as Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand), Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme), and Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional), you generally need an eligible Australian employer to sponsor or nominate you.

No job offer yet? That does not automatically mean you have no Australian migration pathway. Follow and message us to discuss which visa options may suit your occupation and circumstances.

Australia EOI & ROI Checklist 2026. Planning to submit an EOI or ROI for Australian skilled migration? Before you lodge,...
06/09/2026

Australia EOI & ROI Checklist 2026. Planning to submit an EOI or ROI for Australian skilled migration? Before you lodge, make sure these 7 things are in order.

Start with your core documents. Skills assessment: make sure it is the correct assessment for your nominated occupation and that it is still valid. English test: check that your results are still valid and that the score you claim matches your actual test result. Points score: only claim points you can prove with documents. Your EOI is only as strong as the evidence behind it.

Review your occupation and work history. Work experience: double-check your job titles, employment dates, hours worked, duties and claimed experience period. These details should be accurate and consistent with your supporting evidence. Nominated occupation: your nominated occupation should align with your skills assessment, actual work background and target visa pathway.

Check the state rules and keep your profile updated. State or territory criteria: if you are targeting 190 or 491, check the latest nomination criteria carefully. Different states and territories may look at things like occupation, work location, salary, residence, employment duration and commitment to the state or territory.

Keep your EOI or ROI updated. If your circumstances change, your profile may need updating before an invitation. Examples include new work experience, a new English result, a new qualification, a new skills assessment, or family changes. Don't rush your EOI or ROI. A submission is not just about hitting the minimum score.

Planning your 189, 190 or 491 pathway? Follow and message us to discuss your circumstances.

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