Immigration News

For Australian businesses using the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa program to address genuine workforce needs, sponsorship is more than a pathway to securing skilled employees. It creates ongoing legal obligations that extend well beyond visa approval. Too often, sponsorship compliance is viewed as an administrative exercise that ends once a nomination is approved […]

Australia’s employer-sponsored migration program changed significantly from 1 July 2026, with three key developments affecting employers and sponsored workers: increased visa application charges, indexed skilled migration income thresholds, and an increase to the Fair Work High Income Threshold relevant to certain permanent residence applicants. Employers and sponsored workers should ensure they understand these changes when […]

The Federal Budget for 2026–27 provides welcome clarity on Australia’s migration settings for the year ahead. While there are no major shifts in overall numbers, the detail reveals a program that is increasingly targeted, more competitive, and more complex for both employers and applicants to navigate. Migration Program Numbers – Stability with Strategic Focus The […]

From 18 May 2026, the Australian government introduced important changes to how visa refusal reviews are handled by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). These reforms are particularly relevant for people applying for or appealing temporary visas, in particular student visas. What has changed? The key reform is the introduction of a new “on the papers” […]

The Federal Government has kept Australia’s permanent Migration Program at 185,000 places, maintaining the 70% skilled / 30% family split, with a strong continued focus on onshore applicants. Around 70% of places (129,590) will be allocated to people already living in Australia, while offshore places will prioritise highly skilled migrants to meet long‑term workforce needs. […]

I (Julie Williams) attended the MIA (‘Migration Institute of Australia’) Regional Conference on the Gold Coast, and the discussions reinforced just how complex and varied Australia’s regional migration landscape has become. One question kept surfacing throughout the day: what do we really mean by “regional”? Is it reasonable that places as diverse as the Gold […]

Valentine’s Day is often associated with romantic love — but love comes in many forms. It’s the love we share with our partners, our families, our friends, and yes, even our furry companions. Love is powerful, emotional, and deeply personal. It’s what connects us, grounds us, and gives meaning to our lives — no matter […]

A common misconception in Australia’s migration system is that if an occupation appears on a skilled occupation list, it automatically provides a pathway to permanent residence (PR). In reality, this is not how the system works. Australia’s skilled migration framework is highly targeted and demand-driven. Both the Federal Government and State and Territory Governments operate […]

International Migrants Day (IMD) is observed each year on 18 December, reaffirming the global commitment to safer, more inclusive, and fairer migration systems in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world. At its core, International Migrants Day is about people — their journeys, their resilience, and their fundamental right to live with dignity, safety, and […]

There’s a common misconception that just because your occupation appears on the government’s Skilled Occupation List (SOL), you will automatically receive an invitation under the 189 visa once you lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI). Historically — especially before COVID-19 — that assumption had more merit. If you had the required minimum points, you were […]

For many families, having parents close by is an important part of life in Australia. While permanent parent visas remain the long-term goal for many, the long queues and strict eligibility requirements often make them challenging. The Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa offers a flexible alternative, providing families with more immediate options to reunite. […]

The Queensland Skilled Migration Program for 2025–26 will officially open for Registration of Interest (ROI) on Friday, 19 September 2025.  With significant updates announced for the new program year, applicants should take care to understand the requirements before lodging, as last year saw a high refusal rate due to incomplete or inaccurate applications. Changes at […]

Applying for a partner visa is one of the most significant steps a couple can take towards building their future in Australia. But with Government application fees sitting at close to $10,000, it’s no surprise that many people choose to prepare and lodge their application without professional help. Unfortunately, while going it alone may feel […]

On 2 September 2025, the Australian Federal Government confirmed that the Permanent Migration Program for 2025-26 will remain at 185,000 places, maintaining the same level as 2024-25. The Skilled stream remains the core focus and will make up 71% of the program with 132,200 places available. State or Territory nominated visas remain competitive and are […]

Today is the 1st of September, which means the first day of spring in Australia!  Spring is the season of renewal—a time when fresh starts and new opportunities blossom. Just as nature bursts back into life, it’s also the perfect moment to take action on the things you’ve been putting off.  Have you been avoiding […]

What to Do If Your Relationship Ends Whilst You Have an Australian Partner Visa Pending? If your relationship ends while on a temporary Australian partner visa (Subclass 820 or Subclass 309), or on a Bridging Visa A with your 820 visa still pending, you are obligated to inform the Department of Home Affairs. Your visa […]

There’s been a major change in English Language score requirements for competent and superior English — starting today, the 7th of August Three newly approved English language tests have been added to the list of those accepted by the Department of Home Affairs: CELPIP General (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program) LANGUAGECERT Academic Michigan English […]

Are you spending endless amounts of money studying multiple courses, only to find that—after years in Australia—you’re still no closer to achieving your migration goals? Then it’s time to stop chasing the visa and start building a life that the right visa can support. Don’t Build Your Life Around a Visa Strategy Far too often, […]

NSW Joins Victoria & South Australia as the first states to have opened up invitation rounds for the Subclass 858 National Innovation Visa (NIV). Expression of Interests (EOIs) supported by a State or Territory Government are afforded second-highest processing priority by the Department of Home Affairs New South Wales (NSW) has announced it is now […]

A Skills Assessment is an essential step in many Australian visa applications, serving as an official evaluation of your qualifications and work experience in your nominated occupation. The relevant assessing authority will depend on your occupation and is responsible for determining whether you meet the standard to be considered ‘skilled’ in your field. Your assessment […]

If you’re aged 45 years or older and dreaming of moving to Australia, you might have come across age limits that apply to certain skilled visa categories – particularly those that lead to permanent residency.  While age can be a hurdle in some skilled migration pathways, it doesn’t necessarily mean your journey ends there. Australia […]

Why You Should Lodge Your Visa Before 30 June At Migration Downunder, we’ve long had a simple motto: If you’re eligible and contemplating lodging a visa, don’t delay—lodge today! Each year, 1 July marks two important developments in Australian immigration: In the current cost-of-living crisis, any opportunity to save matters. For example, the visa application […]

Many International Students apply, receive and hold a 485 visa……valid for 18 months or up until four (4) years depending on the stream.  We often see individuals not making the most of their Subclass 485 visa by missing the opportunity to gain experience in their chosen field of study. If you’re finding it challenging to […]

The new five-year Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement (NT DAMA III) has been executed between the Northern Territory and the Australian Federal Government on 19 March 2025 and is open for business. The Northern Territory (NT) DAMA is an employer-sponsored visa program that enables businesses across the Northern Territory to sponsor workers for positions […]