Assent Migration Lawyers

12/10/2026

Heads up: An invitation round for the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa is planned for 15 October 2026. Now’s the time to confirm your EOI details, verify claimed points with supporting evidence, and ensure your SkillSelect contact details are current. Stay proactive and monitor your email and SkillSelect account for an invitation. Learn more:

The Department of Home Affairs announced they intend to run an invitation round on 15 October 2026. What you should do before 15 October • Check your EOI: Ensure your Expression of Interest in SkillSelect is submitted and up to date. • Verify your points: Confirm your claimed points are accurate...

22/09/2026

https://www.assentmigration.com/post/ministerial-direction-no-123-impact-on-the-assessment-of-the-visa-related-character-test

Ministerial Direction No. 123 made under section 499 of the Migration Act 1958 will introduce a new character tests framework which will take effect from 31 October 2026. It replaces Ministerial Direction No. 110 which was in place since June 2024. The Department of Home Affairs will have to apply t...

17/09/2026

https://www.assentmigration.com/post/working-holiday-visa-program-changes-a-ballot-system

17/09/2026

https://www.assentmigration.com/post/australian-migration-changes

Today Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has announced a major overhaul of Australia's migration programs, unveiling a package of changes aimed at tightening temporary migration, addressing "visa misuse" and bringing migration levels closer to the Federal Government’s targets.The changes have signif...

17/09/2026

Important update for immigration professionals and travellers: Home Affairs has signaled wider use of condition 8503 (“No Further Stay”) on visitor visas, limiting the ability to lodge new visa applications while in Australia. This change affects planning for clients, sponsors and temporary entrants. Read the full explanation and practical advice from Assent Migration:

Australia’s visitor visa program is heading for a tighter setting. The change centres on one short phrase with big practical consequences: No Further Stay condition Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has outlined changes that would place condition 8503, known as the No Further Stay condition, on mor...

18/08/2026

Australia's Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa program is in the headlines, with 24 partner countries now showing a "paused" status on the Department of Home Affairs website — and the Opposition seizing on the move as evidence of broader migration mismanagement.
https://www.assentmigration.com/post/work-and-holiday-visa-subclass-462-country-cap-pauses-spark-political-dedbate

29/07/2026

Navigating visa options for Iranian nationals affected by Middle East conflicts

The ongoing military conflict in the Middle East has disrupted travel plans for many, especially Iranian nationals holding Visitor (Subclass 600) visas who are currently outside Australia. The situation remains volatile, with risks of attacks and escalation, making travel uncertain and complicated.....

06/07/2026

Policy update: Australia’s National Planning Level (NPL) for international student commencements will remain at 295,000 in 2027, unchanged from 2026. This decision provides predictability for education providers, recruiters, and prospective international students navigating admissions and enrollment planning. Learn more about the implications and current trends: https://wix.to/k6e3MLk

The Australian Government has announced that the National Planning Level (NPL) for international student commencements will remain unchanged in 2027, providing certainty for education providers and prospective international students.The 2027 planning level will remain at 295,000 international studen...

01/07/2026

https://www.assentmigration.com/post/working-holiday-visa-program-changes-from-1-july-2026

Australia has introduced changes to its Working Holiday Maker program from 1 July 2026, including a substantial increase in visa application charges for young travellers seeking to live and work in Australia.The base application charge for both the Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa and the Work an...

01/07/2026

Alert for applicants and employers: The Australian Government has raised visa application charges and citizenship fees (some increases align with CPI). Employers sponsoring overseas workers and individuals planning applications should review the updated fee schedule and budget accordingly.

https://www.assentmigration.com/post/australian-visa-and-citizenship-fees-increase

Today, the Australian Government has introduced a range of increases to visa application and citizenship application fees without any warning as to Australian citizenship application fees have increased in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to reflect the increasing cost of processing applicat...