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23/09/2026

AUSTRALIAN STUDENT VISAS: RECENT CHANGES AND WHAT THEY MAY MEAN FOR YOU

Recent announcements by the Australian Government may affect future student visa applicants, including their study pathways, family arrangements and visa costs.

On 17 September 2026, the Government announced a package of proposed reforms relating to international students and graduate visa holders. While these measures have been announced, detailed implementation arrangements, commencement dates and transitional provisions have not yet been fully released. Students should therefore distinguish between changes that are already in effect and those that remain subject to further legislative or policy development.

Proposed restrictions on accompanying family members
The Government has announced its intention to limit the ability of most future student visa and Temporary Graduate visa holders to bring partners and dependent children to Australia.

The Minister indicated that exemptions are expected to apply to certain groups, including nationals of Pacific and ASEAN countries, and students enrolled in specified courses, such as PhD programs. The Government has also stated that families already in Australia as members of existing visa applications will not be separated by these changes. Further detail is expected regarding the scope of exemptions and the treatment of pending and future applications.

Progression to a higher qualification level

The Government has also announced a proposed approach under which students who complete a qualification and wish to undertake further study in Australia would generally be required to progress to a higher qualification level, such as moving from a bachelor's degree to a master's degree.

The announcement distinguished this from legitimate course transfers that occur before a qualification is completed, as well as genuine extensions required to finish an existing course. The Government further indicated that students seeking to transfer courses may be required to lodge a new student visa application so that the legitimacy of the proposed study pathway can be assessed. Full details of these requirements remain subject to formal implementation.

Student visa application fees have already increased

Unlike the measures outlined above, changes to student visa application charges are already in effect.

From 1 July 2026, the standard base application charge for a Student visa increased from AUD $2,000 to AUD $2,500. Concessional rates continue to apply to certain applicants, including eligible nationals of specified ASEAN and Pacific countries and applicants in particular study sectors. Additional visa application costs may also apply depending on individual circumstances. Applicants should check the current fee applicable to their situation before lodging an application.

What should students do?

Students who are planning to study in Australia, bring family members, change courses or continue their studies after graduation should closely monitor future announcements. As many of the September 2026 reforms remain subject to detailed implementation arrangements, the practical effect of the changes will depend on the final legislative and policy settings.

Before changing courses, paying substantial tuition fees or making arrangements for your family, obtain advice about the requirements applying to your situation. Your current visa, study history, proposed course and application timing can all affect your options.

At Hunter Shafiz Lawyers, we can assess your circumstances and explain how student visa developments may affect your plans.

📞 02 9682 5433

Information checked as at 23 September 2026. General information only; individual advice should be obtained.

16/09/2026

SPEND MORE THAN $50 A WEEK ON TOLLS? YOU COULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR A REBATE.

With everyday expenses adding up, it’s worth checking whether you qualify for NSW’s updated toll relief scheme.

The weekly toll cap dropped from $60 to $50 on 6 July 2026, with the lower cap applying for 12 months. Claims for travel between 6 July and 4 October 2026 open on 11 October 2026.

Eligible motorists can claim back qualifying toll spending above $50, subject to these limits:

• Up to $350 per week for each eligible toll tag or licence plate identifier.
• Up to $5,000 per customer per financial year.

For example, if you spend $90 on eligible tolls in one week using one eligible tag, you could receive a $40 rebate, subject to the scheme’s conditions and limits.

Eligibility includes being a NSW resident aged 16 or over, having a personal toll account linked to your MyServiceNSW account, and making eligible personal trips in a vehicle registered in NSW for private use. Business travel and tolls reimbursed by an employer are excluded. Full eligibility and conditions

You continue paying your tolls upfront and claim the rebate afterwards. To get ready, link your accounts and check your toll spending through Service NSW.

Save the date: 11 October 2026.

10/06/2026

AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP APPLICATIONS: COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID

Becoming an Australian citizen is an exciting milestone. However, many applications are delayed or even refused because of avoidable mistakes. Understanding the most common issues can help ensure your application proceeds as smoothly as possible.

1. Providing Incorrect Travel Information
One of the most common mistakes is failing to accurately disclose all overseas travel. The Department of Home Affairs assesses whether applicants meet the residence requirements, and incorrect travel records can lead to delays or concerns about credibility.

Before lodging your application, carefully review your passport stamps, travel records, and airline bookings to ensure all departures and arrivals are accurately recorded.

2. Applying Too Early
Many applicants assume they are eligible for citizenship without properly calculating their residence requirements. Generally, applicants must have lived lawfully in Australia for four years immediately before applying and have held permanent residency for at least 12 months before lodging.

Applying before meeting these requirements can result in refusal and the loss of application fees.

3. Failing to Disclose Criminal History
All applicants are assessed against the "good character" requirement. Some people mistakenly believe that spent convictions, overseas offences, traffic matters, or pending court proceedings do not need to be disclosed.

Failure to disclose relevant information can often cause more concern than the underlying offence itself. It is usually better to provide complete and honest information from the outset.

4. Not Updating Personal Details
If your address, passport, marital status, or contact details change after lodging your application, you should notify the Department promptly. Missing correspondence can lead to delays, missed appointments, or even application closure.

5. Poor Preparation for the Citizenship Test
While many applicants focus solely on memorising practice questions, the citizenship test is designed to assess knowledge of Australia's values, government, laws, and history.

Reading the official Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond booklet thoroughly is often the best preparation.

6. Submitting Incomplete Documents
Applications are frequently delayed because required documents are missing, unclear, or improperly certified. Common issues include:
• Expired passports
• Missing identity documents
• Uncertified copies
• Incorrect translations
• Incomplete name change documents

Providing a complete application at the beginning can significantly reduce processing delays.

7. Assuming Every Case Is Straightforward
Certain circumstances may require additional legal advice before applying, including:
• Extended periods spent outside Australia
• Criminal charges or convictions
• Character concerns
• Previous visa refusals or cancellations
• Complex residency histories

Obtaining advice before lodging can help identify potential issues and avoid costly mistakes.

Australian citizenship is one of the most important applications many people will ever make. Taking the time to ensure your eligibility, prepare accurate documents, and provide complete information can greatly improve your chances of a successful outcome.

Thinking about applying for Australian citizenship? Contact Hunter Shafiz Lawyers for tailored advice on your eligibility and application.

20/05/2026

✍️ NOW OFFERING NOTARY PUBLIC SERVICES ✍️

We are pleased to announce that we now provide professional Notary Public services for individuals and businesses across Australia and internationally.

If you need documents notarised, certified, witnessed, or prepared for overseas use, our office can assist with a wide range of personal and corporate matters, including:

✔️ Certified copies of documents
✔️ Witnessing signatures
✔️ Powers of Attorney
✔️ Affidavits & statutory declarations
✔️ International business and legal documents
✔️ Company documents and ASIC-related documents
✔️ Certificates of incorporation and company extracts
✔️ Board resolutions and shareholder documents
✔️ Commercial contracts and agreements
✔️ Ex*****on of deeds and corporate authorities
✔️ Overseas trade and import/export documentation
✔️ Travel consent documents
✔️ Immigration and overseas property documents
✔️ Apostille and authentication assistance

We understand that many clients require urgent or after-hours assistance, which is why we are available 7 days a week by appointment for your convenience.

Our goal is to provide fast, professional, and reliable service with flexible appointment times to suit busy schedules.

To learn more or book an appointment, visit our website:
https://expresscert.com.au/

📞 Contact us today to discuss your notary requirements.

29/04/2026

FLU VACCINATIONS IN THE WORKPLACE: WHAT EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES SHOULD KNOW

As winter approaches, many Australian workplaces begin reviewing their health and safety measures, including whether staff should be encouraged — or in some cases required — to receive the annual influenza vaccination.

Influenza is more than a seasonal inconvenience. It can cause significant illness, workplace disruption, absenteeism, and increased risk for vulnerable people, including children, older Australians, pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions. The Australian Government has issued 2026 influenza vaccination advice for health professionals, and ATAGI has also released its 2026 statement on seasonal influenza vaccines.

Can an employer require staff to get a flu vaccination?
The answer depends on the workplace, the employee’s role, the level of risk, and whether the direction is lawful and reasonable.

In some sectors, particularly healthcare, aged care, disability care, childcare, and other roles involving vulnerable people, vaccination requirements may be easier to justify because of the risk of transmission to clients, patients, residents, children, or other vulnerable persons. The Australian Immunisation Handbook provides specific vaccination recommendations for workers at occupational risk, including healthcare and childcare workers.

In NSW Health settings, annual influenza vaccination is mandatory during the influenza season for workers employed in Category A positions, including students, while it remains strongly recommended for all workers.

For other workplaces, a blanket mandatory vaccination policy may be more difficult to justify. Employers should undertake a proper risk assessment before implementing any vaccination requirement.

What should employers consider?
Before requiring influenza vaccination, employers should consider:
1. The nature of the workplace
Is the workplace high-risk? Are employees working with vulnerable people, patients, young children, elderly clients, or immunocompromised persons?
2. The employee’s duties
A direction may be more reasonable for employees in close-contact roles than for employees who work remotely or have limited contact with others.
3. Work health and safety obligations
Employers have a duty to take reasonably practicable steps to provide a safe working environment. This may include infection control measures, policies around illness, hygiene practices, ventilation, working from home arrangements, and vaccination encouragement where appropriate.
4. Medical contraindications and exemptions
Employers should consider whether an employee has a genuine medical reason for not receiving the vaccine. A rigid policy without an exemption process may create legal risk.
5. Consultation and procedural fairness
Employees should be given information about any proposed policy, the reason for it, and an opportunity to raise concerns or provide relevant medical evidence.
6. Privacy obligations
Vaccination status is sensitive health information. Employers should only collect, store and use this information where reasonably necessary and in accordance with privacy obligations.

Can an employee refuse?
An employee may refuse a flu vaccination. However, whether there are consequences will depend on the circumstances.

If the vaccination requirement is lawful and reasonable, and the employee refuses without a valid basis, an employer may be able to take disciplinary action. However, employers should be cautious.
Each case should be assessed individually, particularly where the employee raises medical, disability, pregnancy, religious, or other protected grounds.

The Fair Work Commission has considered vaccination-related disputes in the workplace, including the question of whether directions are lawful and reasonable in the circumstances.

Practical steps for employers
Employers considering a flu vaccination policy should:
• conduct a written risk assessment;
• identify which roles, if any, require vaccination;
• consult with staff before implementing the policy;
• allow employees to raise medical or other legitimate concerns;
• consider alternatives such as masks, remote work, modified duties, or additional hygiene measures;
• keep vaccination information confidential; and
• ensure the policy is proportionate to the actual workplace risk.

Practical steps for employees
Employees who are concerned about a workplace flu vaccination requirement should:
• ask for the policy in writing;
• request the reason for the requirement;
• provide medical evidence if they cannot be vaccinated;
• ask whether alternative arrangements are available; and
• obtain legal advice before refusing a direction, particularly if disciplinary action is threatened.

Flu vaccination policies can be lawful in some workplaces, particularly where there is a genuine health and safety risk. However, employers should avoid a one-size-fits-all approach. A lawful policy should be evidence-based, proportionate, properly communicated, and flexible enough to deal with individual circumstances.

For employees, the key issue is whether the employer’s direction is lawful and reasonable in the particular context. Where there is uncertainty, early legal advice can assist both employers and employees to avoid unnecessary disputes.

20/04/2026

WHY GENERATIONAL HOMES ARE ENDING UP IN LEGAL DISPUTES — AND BEING SOLD

The Family Home is Often the Centre of an Estate Dispute
For many families, the family home is the most valuable asset in an estate. It carries not only financial value, but emotional significance, family history, and a sense of legacy. Increasingly, however, these homes are not passing smoothly from one generation to the next. Instead, they are becoming the centre of estate disputes and, in many cases, being sold.

Different Beneficiaries Often Want Different Outcomes
A common problem arises where one beneficiary wants to keep the property, often because they live there, cared for the deceased, or feel a strong emotional attachment to it, while the other beneficiaries want their share of the estate in cash. The law does not automatically entitle one beneficiary to keep a particular asset simply because they feel more connected to it. If that person cannot afford to buy out the others, a sale often becomes the only realistic outcome.

Executors Have Legal Duties, Not Unlimited Discretion
Executors are frequently placed in a difficult position. Many people assume an executor can simply delay matters or make a decision based on what feels fair within the family. That is not the case. An executor has legal obligations to administer the estate properly, pay debts and liabilities, and distribute the estate in accordance with the will or the law. If the estate owes money, or beneficiaries are waiting for their entitlements, the executor may have little real choice but to sell the property.

Estate Debts and Litigation Costs Can Force a Sale
Many estates are more financially burdened than families expect. It is not uncommon for an estate to face legal costs, rates, insurance, maintenance expenses, mortgage liabilities, or tax obligations that continue to grow while administration is delayed. In some matters, litigation costs alone can become substantial. Where there is not enough cash in the estate to meet those obligations, the home often becomes the asset that must be sold to satisfy them.

Delay Usually Makes the Problem Worse
Families often delay difficult decisions because they are grieving, emotionally attached to the property, or hoping the dispute will resolve itself. In practice, delay usually increases pressure. Costs continue to accumulate, relationships between beneficiaries often deteriorate, and the executor may eventually be criticised for failing to administer the estate efficiently. By the time action is taken, the sale of the property may have become unavoidable.

Informal Understandings Often Do Not Survive Legal Scrutiny
Another common source of conflict is reliance on informal family understandings. People may say that the deceased “always wanted” one child to have the house, or that there was an agreement about who would remain living there. These beliefs may be sincerely held, but unless they are properly documented and legally enforceable, they often carry little weight. That gap between expectation and legal reality is one of the main reasons estate disputes arise.

Once Litigation Begins, Sale is Often the Practical Result
Once litigation starts, the situation usually becomes more expensive, more stressful, and harder to resolve. In many cases, the estate itself bears the cost of the dispute, reducing what is left for everyone. The unfortunate reality is that by the time a matter reaches court, the most practical outcome is often the sale of the property and division of the proceeds.

The Legal Reality
The forced sale of a generational home is rarely about one simple decision. More often, it is the result of competing expectations, estate debts, legal obligations, and the financial inability of one party to retain the property. What many families do not realise is that keeping a family home is not determined by sentiment alone. It depends on whether the estate can be administered lawfully and whether someone has the financial capacity to carry the burden of that asset.

Early Legal Advice Matters
Getting legal advice early can make a significant difference. In many cases, early advice helps families understand their rights, the executor’s obligations, and the practical options available before positions harden and costs escalate. Once a dispute becomes entrenched, preserving the home becomes much harder.

10/04/2026

IMPORTANT UPDATE: NSW CONTRACT FOR SALE OF LAND (2026 EDITION)

If you are buying or selling property in New South Wales this year, it is important to be aware that a new edition of the standard Contract for Sale of Land has been released. From 1 June 2026, the updated version will become mandatory, replacing the current contract.

The most significant change relates to cooling-off rights. The revised contract reflects recent legislative reforms, expanding how cooling-off provisions operate, including in relation to certain option agreements. These changes are intended to address areas of uncertainty and provide greater clarity in property transactions.

In addition, a number of standard clauses have been refined to align with recent legal developments and to reduce the potential for disputes. The contract has also been updated to better reflect modern property transactions, including clearer treatment of certain inclusions commonly found in contemporary homes.

While these changes may appear technical, they can have a direct impact on your legal rights and obligations. Using an outdated contract or failing to properly understand the revised terms may affect your ability to withdraw from a transaction, the scope of what is included in the sale, and your overall risk exposure.

The current version of the contract may still be used until 31 May 2026. However, from 1 June 2026, all contracts must comply with the updated edition.

If you are considering buying or selling property, we strongly recommend obtaining legal advice before signing any contract to ensure your interests are fully protected.

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