What If Migration

17/09/2026

🚨 Major Migration Announcement – What You Need to Know

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has just unveiled a major overhaul of Australia's migration system at the National Press Club. Here are the key changes:

📉 Net migration target cut to 245,000 this financial year (down from 292,100), with a further reduction to 225,000 by 2027–28.

🎓 International students & graduates: Family members will no longer automatically be able to accompany new student/graduate visa holders (exceptions apply for Pacific/ASEAN nationals and some courses, incl. PhDs). A new "qualification scale" limits visa-hopping - students can only move upward (e.g. bachelor's → master's).

🛠️ Skilled migration points test will change: Housing and construction trade qualifications will now score the same points as a university degree. Construction, agriculture, fisheries, resources and teaching occupations will be prioritized - good news for those on the 482/186/494 pathways in these sectors.

✈️ Working holiday makers: A ballot system is being introduced for 2nd and 3rd year visas — as well as completing regional work requirements, applicants will now need to be selected in a ballot. Places are capped at 45,000 for year two (down from 57,000) and just 5,000 for year three (down from 31,000). 🇬🇧 UK passport holders are exempt under the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement.

🏠 Visitor visas & overstayers: "no further stay" conditions on visitor visas, tougher penalties for overstayers, and a return to detention for visa overstayers — backed by 100 extra compliance officers and 250 extra detention beds.

💬 Questions about how this impacts your situation? Send us a message or book a consultation.

17/08/2026

AUSTRALIAN MIGRATION UPDATE — CHANGES YOU NEED TO KNOW

Australian migration laws and policies have always been subject to change, but perhaps more than ever today, migration is a hot political and public issue. With the Government under increasing pressure to manage migration numbers, we are seeing changes to visa processing, scrutiny and priorities — and further announcements are still expected.

Here are some of the key developments to be aware of:

1️⃣ Pressure to reduce migration is increasing
Migration remains a major political issue, with proposals for significant reductions in migration numbers. We are still awaiting an official announcement from Minister Tony Burke, following an announcement that was previously postponed.

2️⃣ Skilled visa processing is changing
Onshore applicants are receiving higher processing priority, while offshore skilled applicants are generally placed lower in the processing order.

3️⃣ Working Holiday visa processing is slowing
The Government has slowed processing of new Working Holiday visa applications as part of broader efforts to manage migration numbers. Applications for most countries participating in the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) program have been paused.

4️⃣ Student visa refusals are increasing
Student visa applications are facing significantly greater scrutiny, with refusal rates considerably higher than in previous years.

5️⃣ Visitor visas are increasingly coming with “No Further Stay”
More Visitor visa applicants are receiving Condition 8503 — No Further Stay. This condition can prevent a person from applying for most other visas while in Australia, subject to limited waiver circumstances.

🎯 What does this mean?

The Australian migration environment is changing quickly, and strategies that worked in the past may not work today.

🤳Contact us to get up-to-date professional advice based on your individual circumstances.

General information only. This post does not constitute migration advice. Migration laws, policies and processing priorities can change, and individual circumstances vary.

27/07/2026

The cost of an Australian Partner Visa has almost doubled in the last 10 years.

With application fees now at $11,710, getting the process right the first time is more important than ever.

📩 Contact us if you'd like guidance on your Partner Visa application.

Bringing a partner to Australia is a costly and time-consuming process.

Applicants now face a record application fee of $11,710 — up $2,345 from the previous charge. Wait times for those applications to be processed are then leaving couples separated for months and, in some cases, years.

The government says the fee increase is part of wider reforms to the migration system and is intended to support improvements across the migration program.

In an interview with SBS Nepali, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said he did not accept the way the visa fee increase has been characterised, arguing visa fees needed to be considered alongside other costs involved in moving overseas, including airfares.

Learn how the cost of partner visas is impacting couples here: https://bit.ly/4fWVvm3

27/07/2026

🚨 Attention passport holders of Cyprus, Finland, Germany and the Republic of Korea!

A recent change to Australia's Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa could mean you're now eligible for a second or third Working Holiday visa—even if you were previously too old to apply.

From 1 July 2026, the maximum age has increased from 30 to 35 years for eligible passport holders from these countries. Applications can be lodged up to the day before your 36th birthday, provided you meet the other visa requirements.

If you thought you'd missed your chance because you turned 31, it may be time to check your eligibility.

📩 Think this might apply to you? Get in touch today to find out whether you're eligible and don't miss the opportunity to apply before your 36th birthday.

03/07/2026

🇦🇺 Thinking about a parent visa for your mum or dad?

There’s one test that can make or break the application — and it can’t be waived, no matter the circumstances. It’s called the balance of family test.

In plain terms: at least half of your parent’s children need to be living in Australia as citizens or permanent residents (or more of them here than in any other single country). A child here on a student visa or bridging visa doesn’t count — only PR, citizenship, or eligible NZ citizenship.

Get this wrong and you could be planning around a visa that was never going to work for your family.

Not sure where your family stands? Send me a message and I’ll walk you through it.

12/06/2026

📚 Can My Child Enrol in a WA Public School?

If you're moving to Western Australia or currently on a visa, you may be wondering whether your child is eligible to attend a public school and whether school fees apply.

The answer depends on factors such as your visa type, residency status, and your child's circumstances.

In our latest article, we explain:

✅ Who can enrol in a WA public school
✅ Which visa holders may need to pay fees
✅ What documents are required
✅ Key information for migrant and international families

Read the full article here: https://whatifmigration.com/wa-public-school-enrolment/

If you're planning your family's move to WA and have questions about visas, schooling, or settlement, feel free to contact What If Migration.

Everything you need to know about WA public school enrolment for visa holders. Which visas have entitlement, what fees apply, and how to enrol.

22/05/2026

🚨 WA Invitation Round Update — Trades Are Trending! 🔥

Western Australia continues to prioritise skilled trade occupations in the May invitation round.

📌 Electricians
📌 Plumbers
📌 Carpenters
📌 Bricklayers
📌 Refrigeration Mechanics
📌 Cabinetmakers
…and more trade occupations are receiving invitations.

The message is clear:
🏗️ Building & construction trades remain in strong demand across WA.

With invitations issued from as low as 65 points for several occupations, this could be a great opportunity for skilled tradespeople planning their Australian PR pathway through WA State Nomination (190/491 visas).

✅ WA is also offering the Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP) with payments of up to AUD 10,000 available for eligible offshore and onshore applicants

If you work in a trade occupation and want to understand your eligibility, now is the time to prepare your EOI strategically.

📩 Contact us for a migration assessment and personalised guidance.

12/05/2026

https://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/federal-budget/hopeless-budget-confirms-labors-stunning-migration-blowout/news-story/fc49456144ef9ff93c2ac11794b5d95c?

Australia will add another one million people to its population over the next four years as Labor concedes it has blown past its migration forecasts with a flood of temporary visa holders staying longer than expected.

11/05/2026

🏗️ WA Employers: Did You Know You May Be Able to Sponsor Skilled Workers at No Cost?

Western Australia is currently offering support to construction employers through the Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP), helping businesses address skilled labour shortages across the state.

Eligible employers may be able to receive financial assistance to cover migration agent fees and visa-related costs when sponsoring overseas skilled workers.

This is a significant opportunity for WA construction businesses struggling to find qualified staff locally.

The program may assist with costs associated with:

💰 Standard Business Sponsor registration
💰 SAF levy
💰 Nomination application
💰 Migration agent professional fees

Eligible occupations can include a range of construction and trade roles such as:

🔨 Electricians
🔨 Carpenters
🔨 Bricklayers
🔨 Plumbers
🔨 Civil construction workers
🔨 Project managers
🔨 And many more

For many employers, this can mean sponsoring a skilled worker with little to no out-of-pocket costs.

At What If Migration, we assist both employers and skilled workers with:

✅ Employer sponsorship pathways
✅ Skills and occupation eligibility
✅ Visa applications
✅ Regional migration options

With ongoing demand for skilled workers in WA, now is a great time for employers to explore sponsorship options before program settings change.

📩 Contact What If Migration today to find out whether your business or occupation may qualify.

02/03/2026

⚠️ 485 VISA FEE HAS DOUBLED — What you need to know NOW

Effective 1 March 2026, the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa fee has increased from $2,300 to $4,600. This is a 100% jump — the sharpest single increase in recent Australian migration history.

With no transition period given, graduates who hadn't yet lodged are now facing double the cost.

At this price point, there's zero room for errors, delays, or incomplete applications.

👉 If you're approaching your 485 eligibility window, contact us today.
We'll assess your eligibility, prepare your application correctly, and help you protect your $4,600 investment.

📩 DM us or visit www.whatifmigration.com.au to book a consultation.