Dagama Pereira & Associates

19/09/2026

Ministerial Direction 121 (Temporary Skilled / Subclass 482)
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/Visa-subsite/files/md-121.pdf
Applications are processed in this descending order of priority:
Priority Group 1: Applications for occupations in designated priority sectors—Construction, Healthcare, Teaching, Agriculture, Aquaculture, Fishing, Resources, and Law Enforcement/Defence interests (onshore and offshore primary applicants have equal priority here).
Priority Group 2: Specialist Skills stream applications under the Skills in Demand visa.
Priority Group 3: Other onshore applications (applicant in Australia when lodging).
Priority Group 4: Unaccompanied offshore applications (primary applicant outside Australia with no secondary/dependent applicants included).
Priority Group 5: All other Subclass 482 applications.
Ministerial Direction 122 (Provisional & Permanent Skilled Visas)
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/Visa-subsite/files/md-122.pdf
Applies to visas including Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme), Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated), Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional), and others. Processing priority follows this order:
Priority Group 1: Applications relating to the priority sectors (Construction, Healthcare, Teaching, Agriculture, Aquaculture, Fishing, Resources, and Defence/Law Enforcement).
Priority Group 2: Other onshore applications lodged while the applicant was in Australia.
Priority Group 3: Unaccompanied offshore applications where the primary applicant is outside Australia with no combined family members.
Priority Group 4: All other remaining visa applications covered by the direction.

27/08/2026

From June 1, 2026, the Australian Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) (which replaced the old Administrative Appeals Tribunal) generally makes decisions on most student visa refusal reviews "on the papers" without holding an oral hearing.

Key Details of the June 2026 Changes

• Paper-Based Decisions: The ART decides student visa refusal appeals using only written documents, evidence, and submissions. Applicants usually lose the chance to explain their case in person or via video.

• Application Scope: The new rules (driven by the Migration Amendment (Administrative Review of Student Visa Refusal Decisions) Regulations 2026) apply to subclass 500 student visa refusal review applications lodged on or after June 1, 2026.

• Exceptions to No-Hearing Rule: Oral hearings still happen if the refusal involves specific public interest criteria like character, health, national security, or bogus/false information.

• Active Enrolment: The Tribunal frequently contacts applicants to supply a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and verify active course status.

• Existing Cases: If you already received a formal hearing listing notice prior to the change, your scheduled oral hearing proceeds as planned.

21/08/2026

Australia Immigration - Analysis and suggested Reforms

Political viability is a crucial part of sustaining any immigration system. We need an immigration agenda for Australians.

19/08/2026

Directions Order of Processing

Family visas

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/Visa-subsite/files/md-117.pdf

Skilled visas

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/Visa-subsite/files/md-119.pdf

National Innovation visas

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/Visa-subsite/files/md-120.pdf

18/08/2026

Australian Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) changes:

Under the updated rules effective June 1, 2026, the Australian Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) reviews specific temporary visa refusals (such as Student Subclass 500 visas) strictly "on the papers".

Key Impacts on Applicants

No Oral Hearings: Applicants lose the chance to speak to a tribunal member, explain discrepancies verbally, or present live witness testimony.

Exclusion of Permanent/Protection Visas: High-stakes cases like protection or permanent residency appeals still maintain standard hearing rights.

High Burden on Written Submissions: Because the initial paperwork is now the sole basis for the outcome, any missing evidence, weak statutory declarations, or unclear explanations can directly lead to an affirmed refusal with no second chance to clarify.

17/08/2026

AUSTRALIA SKILLED MIGRATION UPDATE — Aug 2026

Australia skilled visa processing priorities,

Emphasis on critical sectors and applicants who are in Australia.

🔹 Priority Occupations include:

• Law enforcement & defence
• Healthcare & teaching
• Construction
• Other skilled applicants, depending on location and visa category

Onshore applicants in priority occupations receive priority processing under the new Ministerial Directions

Note: Priority Processing does not guarantee faster approval . It will be based on your documentation

It will depend on your eligibility, occupation, visa subclass and other requirements

If you are planning your Australia PR pathway contact an Immigration legal practitioners.

[email protected]

17/08/2026

SUBCLASS 407 Training Visa UPDATE

The Department has noted the significant increase in 407 applications and changed the law.

The Department is also investigating the cases for fraud

• 6,500 nominations refused out of 8,000 applications

• 2,500 visa applicants were issued natural justice letters

• 4,000 visa applications are still pending where the 407 nomination has already been refused

This could indicate a high volume of 407 visa refusals where the visa applicant fails to meet GTE!

The Department has indicated it intends to continue issuing s57 letters where appropriate.

407 refusal and pending application:

1.Check whether your nomination has been refused

2.. Seek legal advice by appointing a legal practitioner.

3. Consider withdrawing the visa before refusal if you have an alternate pathway

4.Review your application at the ART

Don’t wait for a refusal to review your options - as this could impact future onshore applications - sec 48 bar

Contact [email protected]

17/08/2026

A Firm Built for Two Jurisdictions

Dagama Pereira & Associates operates offices in Richmond, Victoria, and San Jose, California — placing it at the intersection of two of the countries' most active talent and family migration corridors. With US operations, staff, or family connections tied to Australia, the firm offers direct, locally grounded advice on both sides of the Pacific, without the delay of routing matters through a correspondent firm.

Principal: Valerie Da Gama Pereira

Valerie Da Gama Pereira is the firm's Principal. She has been registered as a Migration Agent since 1992 and admitted to legal practice in Victoria since 2002 — more than 33 years working in the field. She is an Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law with the Law Institute of Victoria, and has served on the LIV's Accredited Specialisation (Immigration Law) Education Advisory Committee, helping assess candidates for that same accreditation. She was Chair and Deputy Chair of the Law Council of Australia's Migration Steering Committee, is registered to practise before the Federal Circuit Court, the Federal Court, and the High Court of Australia, and has been recognised in the Best Lawyers in Australia rankings for Immigration Law annually since 2019, including Lawyer of the Year — Immigration Law (Melbourne) in 2020.

In 2014, Valerie was granted registration as a Foreign Legal Consultant by the State Bar of California — a status that permits her to advise clients on Australian law from a US office. That dual footing lets the firm work directly with US-based mobility, HR, and family offices on Australian partner visas, citizenship applications, and child visas for relocating executives and their families, alongside its continuing work in skilled and innovation-stream visas.

06/12/2024

National Innovation Visa

To submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the National Innovation Visa (NIV), you would need to access the relevant online platform on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website, where you will fill out a form detailing your personal information, professional achievements, area of expertise, and evidence of exceptional talent, essentially demonstrating your potential to significantly contribute to innovation in Australia; this process is typically invitation-only, meaning you will be invited to apply based on your EOI submission if your qualifications meet the high standards of the NIV.

Key points about the National Innovation Visa EOI:

Invitation-only:

You cannot directly apply for the NIV, you must first submit an EOI and receive an invitation to apply.

High-caliber applicants:

The EOI process is designed to identify individuals with exceptional skills and achievements across various fields like research, entrepreneurship, arts, and sports.

Detailed information required:

Your EOI will likely require extensive documentation including awards, publications, patents, research contributions, business achievements, and supporting letters from recognized experts in your field.

Nomination potential:

Some states or territories may have a nomination process for the NIV, which could enhance your EOI.

What information is typically included on an EOI for the National Innovation Visa:

Personal details: Name, date of birth, nationality, contact information

Occupation and field of expertise: Specific area of work where you demonstrate exceptional talent

Education and qualifications: Relevant degrees and professional certifications

Work experience: Detailed employment history highlighting key achievements and contributions

Evidence of international recognition: Awards, publications, media coverage, presentations at international conferences

English language proficiency: Proof of English language test results

Nominator details (if applicable): If you are nominated by an Australian organization or individual, their information

Important points to remember:

Check for updates:

As the National Innovation Visa is a new program, regularly check the Department of Home Affairs website for the latest information and application procedures.

Seek professional advice:

Consider consulting a Legal Practitioner to assess your eligibility and assist with your EOI submission.

contact us : [email protected]

20/12/2023

AS THE YEAR COMES TO A CLOSE WE LIKE THANK ALL OUR CLIENTS & ASSOCIATES FOR THEIR SUPPORT