Hannan Tew Lawyers

05/10/2026

We're very excited to welcome Patrick Cassidy to the team at Hannan Tew!

Patrick graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts (Politics) in 2023. With over 3 years’ experience in the migration law industry, Patrick takes a results-driven approach, advising clients ranging from multinational corporations to humanitarian applicants, and has successfully represented clients in complex appeals. He is driven to help clients achieve their desired outcomes and build their future in Australia. Outside of law, Patrick enjoys staying active through running, the gym and hockey.

We look forward to working with you, Patrick!

Learn more about our team at https://www.hannantew.com.au/team/

28/09/2026

New skilled visa processing priorities are now in effect.

From 19 September 2026, Ministerial Directions 121 and 122 have replaced the skilled visa processing priorities previously set out in Direction 119, changing the order in which skilled visa applications are processed.

What's changed, in brief:
- Occupations in construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, resources and other priority sectors are now processed first, whether the applicant is onshore or offshore.
- For 482 applicants, Specialist Skills stream applications come straight after the priority sectors.
- The new order also applies to applications already lodged and still waiting on a decision.

Read our full breakdown of the new processing order and which occupations receive priority:

23/09/2026

The Pacific Engagement (subclass 192) visa is a permanent residence visa for citizens of participating Pacific countries and Timor-Leste. Unlike most permanent visas, it is not points-tested, and there is no skilled occupation list - places are allocated through a random ballot.

Being selected in the ballot is an invitation to apply, not a grant of the visa. Applicants in the Pacific Engagement stream must hold a genuine job offer, show they can support themselves financially and also meet English, health and character requirements. A separate Treaty stream for Tuvaluan citizens has fewer requirements.

Our latest blog below explains how the ballot works, who can register for each stream, and what the visa application requires:

Pacific Engagement visa (subclass 192): how the ballot works, who can register, the two streams and the associated visa requirements.

18/09/2026

Seeking legal assistance on your visa matters? Our experienced lawyers are here to assist you.

Hannan Tew provides expert advice and end-to-end support for all your visa needs. We advise individuals and businesses of all sizes (from SMEs and startups to multinational corporations) on every major aspect of Australian immigration law.

Get in touch with our team via our website below to learn how we can assist you throughout your Australian immigration journey.
https://www.hannantew.com.au/

09/09/2026

We're pedalling for a good cause! 🚴

Hannan Tew will be participating in the first-ever Starlight Spin fundraiser, an 8-hour team spin-bike relay on 12 November at Moon Dog Docklands, to raise funds for Starlight Children's Foundation Australia.

Starlight's mission is to brighten the lives of seriously ill and hospitalised children across Australia. Working alongside clinicians, they bring play, creativity and connection into healthcare settings, helping kids cope with pain, fear and isolation, and just be kids again.

We'll be training up over the next couple of months ahead of the big day. Follow our progress and check out our fundraising page below:

Pedal to power happiness for sick kids

08/09/2026

We're excited to welcome Loriene Lina to the Hannan Tew team!

Loriene brings over six years of experience in administrative and executive support at a Philippine national government agency. Curious and dependable, she enjoys learning new tools and finding smart ways to work. Beyond work, she’s a homebody who enjoys good food and good conversations with family and friends.

Welcome to the team, Loriene!

Read more about our team: https://www.hannantew.com.au/team

04/09/2026

Many temporary Australian visas allow a spouse or de facto partner to be included as a 'secondary applicant'. Whether a minimum relationship duration applies depends on the couple's relationship type and the visa being applied for.

Married couples are not subject to any minimum duration. De facto couples may need to demonstrate a 12-month relationship, but only for certain visa subclasses, and exceptions exist when the requirement applies.

Our latest blog sets out when a 12-month de facto relationship is required, the available exceptions, and how a genuine de facto relationship is evidenced:

Adding a spouse or partner to a temporary Australian visa? Here's what secondary applicants need to know about relationship duration requirements.

27/08/2026

The Aged Dependent Relative visa (Subclass 114 and 838) is a permanent family visa for older single relatives who are financially dependent on an Australian citizen or permanent resident. However, it is one of the more demanding family visas to navigate.

Eligibility requires the applicant to be at least 67, have no spouse or de facto partner, and have been wholly or substantially financially reliant on their Australian relative for at least three years. Emotional closeness or physical care alone does not satisfy the requirement.

The visa is also capped and queued, meaning wait times can run to many years or even decades, which makes getting the application right from the outset essential.

Read the full article below for a detailed breakdown of the eligibility requirements and how to satisfy evidentiary requirements:

Can your aged relative qualify for permanent residency? Learn what "dependent" really means and what evidence you'll need.

07/08/2026

Accredited sponsorship no longer attracts priority processing.

From 25 July 2026, three new Ministerial Directions (Nos. 117, 119 and 120) change how the Department of Home Affairs prioritises skilled, family and National Innovation visa applications.

What's changed:
- onshore applicants prioritised across skilled and family streams;
- construction occupations lifted to the same priority as healthcare and teaching;
- accreditation and regional business status no longer attract dedicated processing advantages.

Read the full analysis on our blog below:

From 25 July 2026, new Ministerial Directions 117, 119 and 120 change how skilled, family and National Innovation visa applications are prioritised.

05/08/2026

This month: New visa processing priorities, passenger arrival card reforms, visa options for Iranian nationals and GSM updates