Great Journey Migration

09/10/2026

Ministerial Direction 123 - Changes to character visa decisions in effect from 31 October 2026

02/10/2026

Important Update: New Student Visa (Subclass 500) Rules Effective 2 October 2026

17/09/2026

𝗠𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has announced a package of changes to Australia's migration program.

⚠️ PLEASE NOTE: These are announcements only and are not yet law.

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀
- All visitor visas will carry a "No Further Stay" condition, to stop visitors applying for most other visas while in Australia
- Applies to future visas only, not to people already here

𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀
- Most student and temporary graduate visa holders will no longer be able to bring family members with them
- Exceptions remain for Pacific and ASEAN nationals and certain courses such as PhDs
- Families already in Australia will not be separated

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀
- Students will only be able to move up to a higher qualification, for example from a bachelor to a master's degree

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀
- Second and third year visas will be capped and allocated by ballot
- Regional work will still be required to enter the ballot
- Year Two ballot will be capped at 45,000 places (down from 57,000 this year)
- Year Three ballot will be capped at 5,000 places (down from around 31,000 this year)
- Processing will return to its previous faster pace, except for UK applications

𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀
- Processing will prioritise key sectors such as construction, healthcare, agriculture, fisheries and teaching.
- The points test will also be redesigned so housing construction trades get the same recognition as a university qualification.

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀
- Tougher action, with more compliance officers and detention beds

Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Emergency Management.​​​

04/09/2026

Government moves to suspend the Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning) for overseas students

The Australian Government has made a new legislative instrument under the ESOS Act specifying the BSB80120 Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning) for automatic suspension and cancellation.

The Government cited several integrity concerns with the course: rapid growth in overseas student enrolments, high non-commencement and student visa refusal rates, low completion rates, significant onshore student transfers, and extensive use as the principal course in packaged course arrangements. Its view is that the course has not consistently been used for genuine study and may instead have been used to secure enrolments, transfers or visa outcomes.

What this means:

- Providers that still have overseas students enrolled in the course 30 days after the Instrument commences will have their registration for the course automatically suspended at all locations.
- Students already enrolled and studying can continue until they complete or withdraw.
- Providers must not recruit or enrol new overseas students in the course, accept money from prospective or non-commencing students, or allow accepted students who have not yet started to begin.

The federal government is preventing new enrolments in a graduate diploma it fears is being used by non-genuine international students to switch courses and prolong their stay in Australia.

28/08/2026

📢 MIGRATION UPDATE: Subclass 462 Work and Holiday Visa Applications Paused for Many Countries

The Department of Home Affairs has temporarily paused new first Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa applications for a number of participating countries.

The pause affects prospective applicants from many Subclass 462 partner countries, while some high-demand countries continue to operate under separate ballot arrangements.

🔍 What you need to know

🔹 First Subclass 462 applications
Applications from a number of participating countries are currently showing as “Paused” under the Department’s country cap arrangements.

🔹 Ballot countries
Nationals of China, India and Vietnam are subject to the Subclass 462 pre-application ballot process. Indonesia also operates under a ballot arrangement, although availability depends on the Department opening the relevant registration process.

🔹 Second and third Subclass 462 visas
The country cap arrangements generally apply to first Work and Holiday visas. Applicants seeking a second or third Subclass 462 visa are not affected by the first-visa country caps.

🔹 Subclass 417 Working Holiday visas
These changes relate to the Subclass 462 Work and Holiday program and do not apply to the separate Subclass 417 Working Holiday visa program.

⚠️ Does “Paused” mean the program is closed?

Not necessarily.

A paused status does not automatically mean that a country’s annual allocation has been permanently exhausted. The Department may pause and reopen applications during the program year depending on application numbers and available places.

Applicants should therefore continue to monitor the Department of Home Affairs website for updates and should avoid making non-refundable travel arrangements until their visa has been granted.

👷 Impact on Australian employers

Businesses that rely heavily on Working Holiday Makers — particularly in hospitality, tourism, agriculture and regional Australia — should be mindful that changes to visa availability and processing may affect workforce planning.

🔎 You can check the latest official status of Subclass 462 country caps on the Department of Home Affairs – Status of Country Caps page.

If you are affected by the current pause and would like to explore alternative Australian visa pathways, contact our office to discuss your circumstances.

General information only and not migration advice. Visa settings can change at short notice.

28/08/2026

Major Australian Immigration Changes Reportedly Expected in September

A number of significant changes to Australia’s migration program are reportedly under consideration, with further announcements expected from the Australian Government in September.

The proposed changes may include:

- restrictions on certain onshore Student visa applications;
- tighter visa rules for family members of international students;
restrictions on students moving from higher education courses to vocational or VET courses;
- limits on international students changing universities or education providers;
- reducing the validity period of Visitor visas, including ETA visas, to six months; and
- tighter onshore visa pathways across a range of visa categories.

⚠️ Important: These changes have only been reported as proposals at this stage. They should not be treated as confirmed policy unless and until they are formally announced by the Australian Government and reflected in legislation, regulations or official Department of Home Affairs guidance.

International students, temporary visa holders and anyone considering an Australian visa application should keep a close eye on upcoming announcements and consider how any changes may affect their future plans.

Stay informed and plan ahead. We will provide further updates once official details are released.

Source: The Australian
https://bit.ly/4y1J8My

General information only. This is not legal or migration advice.

Anthony Albanese is close to finalising an immigration crackdown headlined by new restrictions on international students and their family members, a six-month limit on visitor visas, moves to stop students shifting courses and a clamp on onshore visa applications.

01/07/2026

New Australian visa application fees effective from 1 July 2026

The new fees apply to applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026. Here are some of the key changes:

Skilled visas
Subclass 189 Skilled Independent: $4,910 → $6,135
Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated: $4,910 → $6,140
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional: $4,910 → $6,140

Employer sponsored visas
Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme: $4,910 → $6,140
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional: $4,910 → $6,140
Subclass 482 Skills in Demand: $3,210 → $4,015

Graduate, partner and family visas
Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate: $2,300 → $5,750
Partner visas 820/801 and 309/100: $9,365 → $11,710
Prospective Marriage visa 300: $9,365 → $11,710

Parent visas
Subclass 103 Parent visa, first instalment: $5,280 → $6,600
Subclass 143 Contributory Parent visa, first instalment: $5,040 → $6,300
Subclass 804 Aged Parent visa, first instalment: $5,280 → $6,600
Subclass 864 Contributory Aged Parent visa, first instalment: $5,040 → $6,300

Student and visitor visas
Subclass 500 Student visa: $2,000 → $2,500
Subclass 600 Visitor visa, lodged in Australia: $500 → $630
Subclass 600 Visitor visa, lodged outside Australia: $200 → $250

Resident Return visa
Subclass 155 Resident Return visa: new fee $1,475

Bridging Visa B
Bridging Visa B: $190 → $575

For advice about your visa options, please contact us at +61 433 877 404 or [email protected]

16/05/2026

2026 / 27 Skilled Migration Planning Levels: A Significant Shift in Pathway Allocations

The Department of Home Affairs has released the detailed planning levels for the 2026 / 27 program year. While the total Migration Program remains at 185,000 places, the internal allocation across visa categories has changed meaningfully.

Key changes in the Skilled stream:

▪ Employer Sponsored: 44,000 → 58,040 places (+14,040)
The largest increase in the program. The Government is clearly prioritising employer driven migration to meet workforce demands.

▪ Skilled Independent: 16,900 → 21,090 places (+4,190)
An expanded allocation for high points applicants in critical occupations, providing more room within the Subclass 189 program.

▪ State / Territory Nominated: 33,000 → 35,500 places (+2,500)
A modest increase reflecting continued state-level demand for skilled workers.

▪ Regional: 33,000 → 14,110 places (-18,890)
A substantial reduction of more than half. Applicants relying on the Subclass 491 or 191 pathway should expect increased competition and higher invitation thresholds.

▪ Talent and Innovation: 5,300 → 3,500 places (-1,800)
A reduced allocation following the consolidation of the Global Talent and Distinguished Talent programs.

Family stream:

▪ Partner: 40,500 → 41,500 places (+1,000)
▪ Total Family Program remains broadly steady at 52,460 places.

What this means for applicants:

The Government has signalled a clear preference for employer driven and onshore skilled migration. Applicants whose strategy was built around a regional pathway should consider revisiting their options in light of the reduced allocation. Those with strong employer sponsorship prospects or competitive points scores are likely better positioned than in prior years.

If you would like to discuss how these changes affect your visa pathway, please contact our office.

📞 +61 433 877 404
📧 [email protected]

Source: Department of Home Affairs

13/05/2026

13/05/2026

Federal Budget 2026/27 → here's what migration applicants need to know.

✅ 185,000 permanent places (unchanged)
✅ 70% reserved for onshore applicants
✅ Points Test tightening
✅ $85.2m to fast track trades skills assessments

Swipe through for the full breakdown.

⚠️ These are announcements, not law. Current rules still apply until legislated.

Not sure where you stand? Get in touch.
📞 +61 433 877 404
📧 [email protected]