The updates register, newest first.
Every change below has a date and an official source. Where something has been announced but is not law yet, we say so. This register replaces the old news page on our previous website.
Dated changes
Updated 22 October 2026
- Source: Federal Register of Legislation
Sponsor information can be published
The Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Act 2026 came into force. It allows the Department to publish some information about approved work sponsors, but only what regulations prescribe, and never personal identifiers.
- Source: Department of Home Affairs
New Student and Student Guardian visa rules
Most temporary visa holders can no longer apply for a Student or Student Guardian visa in Australia, with listed exemptions. Most Student visa applicants can no longer include family members, and there are no subsequent entrants. Applications lodged before this date follow the old rules.
- Source: Department of Home Affairs
New processing order for skilled visas
Ministerial Direction 121 (Skills in Demand, 482) and Ministerial Direction 122 (permanent and provisional skilled visas) replaced the earlier direction. Priority occupations come first, then onshore applicants; for 482, Specialist Skills comes second.
- 17 September 2026 · announced, not in forceWe will add the details when they are published.
Points test redesign announced
The Minister said the points test has been redone, following the 2026-27 Budget announcement. No new table, pass mark or start date has been published. The current table and 65-point pass mark still apply.
- Source: Department of Home Affairs
New processing order for family visas
Ministerial Direction 117 replaced the earlier family direction. Applications made in Australia for visas that can be granted in Australia have the highest priority.
- Source: Visa Pricing Estimator; Study Australia
Visa application charges rose
Most charges rose by about a quarter. Main applicant examples: Student A$2,500; Skills in Demand (482) A$4,015; 186 and 494 A$6,140; Temporary Graduate (485) A$5,750; citizenship by conferral A$595. Nomination fees and the Skilling Australians Fund levy did not change.
- Source: Department of Home Affairs
New income thresholds
For nominations lodged from 1 July 2026: Core Skills Income Threshold and Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold A$79,423; Specialist Skills Income Threshold A$146,576.
- Source: Department of Home Affairs
Working Holiday changes
Nationals of Cyprus, Finland, Germany and the Republic of Korea became eligible up to age 35. Processing has returned to around three months.
- Source: Department of Home Affairs
2026-27 Migration Program announced
185,000 permanent places, the same as 2025-26. Partner 41,500; Parent 7,060 (down from 8,500); Child 3,500; Employer Sponsored 58,040; Skilled Independent 21,090; State and Territory Nominated 35,500; Regional 14,110 (down from 33,000).
- Source: OMARA
New regulations for migration agents
The Migration Agents Regulations 2026 replaced the 1998 Regulations. The register now shows each agent's website address; yearly training must include Ethics and Code of Conduct points; professional indemnity insurance of at least A$250,000; infringement notices for unregistered immigration assistance.
- Source: TEQSA
No commissions for onshore student transfers
Education agents can no longer be paid commissions when an international student in Australia transfers between providers.
- Source: Migration Act 1958
Arrival control determinations
A new law lets the Minister, with the written agreement of the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, stop specified classes of offshore temporary visa holders from arriving for up to 6 months. Permanent visa holders and people already in Australia are exempt.
- Source: Department of Home Affairs
TOEFL for Australia
TOEFL iBT candidates must select "Taking TOEFL for Australia" for the test to be used for an Australian visa.
- Source: Department of Home Affairs
Student visa processing direction
Ministerial Direction 115 applies to offshore Student visa applications lodged from this date, with priority set by each provider's share of its allocation.
- Source: Department of Home Affairs
New list of accepted English tests
C1 Advanced, CELPIP General, IELTS Academic and General Training, LanguageCert Academic, MET, OET, PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT, taken at a secure test centre. At-home tests are not accepted.
- Source: Department of Home Affairs
Skills in Demand visa began
The Skills in Demand visa replaced the earlier temporary skill visa under the same subclass 482, with Specialist Skills, Core Skills and Labour Agreement streams.
- Source: Department of Home Affairs
Business and investor program closed
The Business Innovation and Investment Program, including the subclass 132 business visa, closed permanently to new applications.
- Source: Department of Home Affairs
Temporary Graduate visa changes
New stream names (Post-Vocational Education Work and Post-Higher Education Work), a maximum age of 35 with some exceptions, and new stay lengths. Visitor and Temporary Graduate visa holders could no longer apply for a Student visa onshore.
- Source: Department of Home Affairs
Stronger protection for migrant workers
New offences for coercing or pressuring temporary visa holders into breaching work conditions, and prohibition notices for employers who do.
- Source: Study Australia
Genuine Student requirement
The Genuine Student requirement replaced the earlier genuine temporary entrant test for Student visas, with new English rules for Student and Temporary Graduate visas.
Useful official links
- Department of Home Affairs, immigration and citizenshipVisa listings, processing information and ImmiAccount.
- Visa Pricing EstimatorCurrent visa application charges.
- Register of migration agentsCheck that an adviser is registered.
- OMARA and the Consumer GuideWhat agents must do, and how to complain.
- Administrative Review TribunalReview of many migration decisions.
- Study AustraliaThe Government's site for international students.
- Fair Work OmbudsmanPay and workplace rights for every worker.
- Australian Border ForceArriving in Australia and what you can bring.