Great Journey Migration

25/03/2026

The Department of Home Affairs has announced temporary travel restrictions for certain Visitor (Subclass 600) visa holders with Iranian passports. The Arrival Control Determination commences on 26 March 2026 and will remain in force for 6 months. It applies to people who are outside Australia, hold a Visitor (Subclass 600) visa, and whose departmental records show they used an Iranian passport in that visa application. For affected persons, the Visitor visa has temporarily ceased to be in effect, unless an exemption applies.

If you or your family members may be affected, it is important to check your circumstances carefully before travelling and seek advice if needed.

Home Affairs brings together Australia's federal law enforcement, national and transport security, criminal justice, emergency management, multicultural affairs, settlement services and immigration and border-related functions, working together to keep Australia safe.

13/03/2026

Important update – Training Visa (Subclass 407) changes from 11 March 2026

The Department of Home Affairs has introduced a significant change to the Subclass 407 Training visa process.

From 11 March 2026, applicants can no longer lodge a valid Subclass 407 Training visa application unless both the sponsor approval and nomination approval have already been granted.

Previously, the visa application could be lodged while those applications were still being processed. This is no longer allowed.

This means applicants must now carefully manage their timing and ensure they continue to hold a valid visa while waiting.

If you are considering a 407 visa, it is important to get advice early.

28/02/2026

Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) VAC increase – effective today (1 March 2026)

The Department has implemented an unexpected Visa Application Charge (VAC) increase for the Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa effective today. There was no prior announcement from DHA before this change took effect.

✅ New base VAC (main applicant): $4,600
For most cases, this means you’ll now be looking at $4,600 just for the main applicant, with additional applicant charges applying if you include eligible family members.

If you’re planning to lodge a 485 soon, please factor this into your budget and timing. If you’re our client and your application is ready, message/email us so we can discuss next steps.

Find out about Australian visas, immigration and citizenship.

27/02/2026

🚨 Important update: salary thresholds increasing for employer-sponsored visas (Subclass 482 & 186) from 1 July 2026

From 1 July 2026 (2026–27 program year), the income thresholds used for Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) and Subclass 186 (ENS) will increase due to annual indexation:

Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT): $79,499 (current 2025–26: $76,515)

Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT): $146,717 (current 2025–26: $141,210)

These thresholds are automatically indexed each year under regulation 5.42A of the Migration Regulations using ABS AWOTE data — meaning a new legislative instrument isn’t required for the annual update.

✅ Applies to relevant Subclass 482 / 186 applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026.

⏳ If you want to lodge before 30 June 2026, you need to act now.
Many nominations may require Labour Market Testing (LMT), including advertising for at least 4 weeks (28 days) (where applicable), plus time to prepare supporting documents.

If you’d like us to assess your pathway and timeline, send us a message to book a consult.

25/11/2025

2025-26 State Nomination Allocations

The new state and territory nomination numbers are out – and overall places for Skilled 190 and 491 visas have dropped for 2025/26.

Key takeaways:

Some states have reduced 190 and 491 allocations

Competition for invitations is likely to be stronger

Getting your EOI/ROI strategy right is now more important than ever

If you’d like personalised advice on your options under the new allocations – including state nomination, employer sponsorship or partner pathways – get in touch with Great Journey Migration.

09/10/2025

🚨 ACT Migration October Update — Key Changes for 2025–26

ACT has announced updates to its nomination program:

• The Critical Skills List has been revamped (now the ACT Migration Occupation List) and reduced from 152 to 105 unit groups.
• Upcoming invitation rounds will consider only occupations on the updated list (September invitees are unaffected).
• PhD pathway: invitations now issued within regular rounds (still prioritised, just less frequent).

If you’re targeting ACT nomination, now’s the time to check your occupation, update your Canberra Matrix, and ensure your evidence is ready.

📩 Questions or need tailored advice? Contact us for professional migration assistance and we will map your best pathway.

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02/10/2025

Victoria has opened the 2025–26 Skilled Migration program (effective 2 Oct 2025) with an interim allocation:
• Subclass 190: 200 places
• Subclass 491: 180 places

✅ If you already have a ROI: Your ROI remains valid. Tell us if your points, English results, employment, skills assessment expiry, or partner details have changed.
🆕 If you haven’t applied: To be considered you’ll need to (1) meet eligibility, (2) lodge a SkillSelect EOI, and (3) submit a Victorian ROI.

Great Journey Migration — here to help you plan the next step.
📞 0433 877 404
✉️ [email protected]

Program allocation The Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs has provided Victoria with a small interim allocation for the 2025–26 program year:

17/04/2025

🚨 Important Update – Victoria's Skilled Visa Program 2024–25

The Victorian Government has announced that the Skilled Visa Nomination Program (subclass 190 & 491) will close to new Registrations of Interest (ROIs) at 4pm AEST on Tuesday, 29 April 2025.

5,000 visa places were allocated this year (3,000 for 190 and 2,000 for 491), and demand has been extremely high.

If you’ve been considering applying under the Victoria skilled migration pathway, now is the time to act!

DM us or contact us if you’d like help submitting your ROI or exploring alternative options.

📞 +61 433 877 404

09/12/2024

Ballot registration now open - Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme 403

India, the visa pre-application ballot for the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) is now open!

There will be 3000 visas available under MATES for Indian graduates and early career professionals with qualifications in targeted sectors to live and work in Australia for 2 years.

Eligible sectors include renewable energy, mining, engineering, information and communications technology, artificial intelligence, financial technology and agricultural technology.

Ballot is open for 30 days. Apply now at https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-work-403/mates/ballot-registration

03/12/2024

New Core Skills Occupation List to target the skills Australia needs

On 3 December 2024, the Australian Government announced the released of the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).

• The CSOL will apply to the Core Skills stream of the new Skills in Demand visa, which will replace the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa on 7 December 2024.

• The CSOL will also apply to the Direct Entry stream of the permanent Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa.

More details on other reform taking place on 7 December 2024, including the Skills in Demand visa and National Innovation visa, will be announced shortly.

Contact us for more information.

29/11/2024

Update - State of Victoria's 2024-25 skilled visa nomination program is prioritizing construction trades occupations under the Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 visas.