🇦🇺 Work & skilled workers

From 29 September 2026, LIN 26/090 is the operative instrument specifying countries for subparagraph 2.25A(1)(b) of the Migration Regulations 1994. It contains a 237-entry country list and expressly repeals LIN 23/071 in its entirety. The instrument continues to support the existing exemption from requiring a Medical Officer of the Commonwealth opinion for relevant permanent-visa applications made from a specified country, where there is no information known to Immigration indicating that the applicant or another relevant person may not satisfy the applicable health criteria. It does not remove the underlying health criteria in Schedule 4 of the Migration Regulations. The instrument also establishes its application to visa applications made on or after commencement and to applications made before commencement that have not yet been finally determined. The explanatory statement says this application provision is intended to ensure that applicants with undecided applications are not disadvantaged by the replacement of the instrument. The substantive country coverage remains unchanged. The principal difference is that the list now reflects formal country-name changes and updated constitutional descriptors. The Department characterises the measure as a “minor or machinery” change and states that external consultation was therefore not considered necessary or appropriate.

From 1 November 2026, the new instrument sets out two application arrangements for the Maritime Crew (Temporary) (Class ZM) visa. Applicants who provide an email address and consent to electronic communication regarding their application must use Form 1273 (Internet). Their application must be made as an internet application through ImmiAccount, the Department of Home Affairs' online services portal. This makes online ImmiAccount lodgement the prescribed application method for applicants in this category from the commencement date. Applicants who do not provide an email address and consent to electronic communication fall under the second arrangement. They may use Form 1273, but only where the Department has authorised them in writing to use that form. They must follow the Department's directions and submit the application by the date specified in those directions. The instrument therefore does not establish an unrestricted alternative paper-lodgement route for everyone who does not use the online process. The instrument also formally repeals the entire Specification of Arrangements for Maritime Crew Visa Applications 2016/115. The underlying visa remains the Maritime Crew (Temporary) (Class ZM) visa under item 1227 of Schedule 1 to the Migration Regulations 1994. The 2026 instrument specifies the application form and lodgement arrangements rather than changing the substantive visa criteria contained elsewhere in Australia's migration framework.

From 25 September 2026, LIN 26/057 becomes the operative instrument specifying the relevant fields of education. Section 6 provides that, for paragraph 2.26AC(5A)(b), a field of education listed in column 1 of the instrument's table is specified under subregulation 2.26AC(5B). The specified fields are Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Natural and Physical Sciences, Other Natural and Physical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, Other Information Technology, Aerospace Engineering and Technology, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Technology, Engineering and Related Technologies, Geomatic Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering and Technology, Maritime Engineering and Technology, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering and Technology, Other Engineering and Related Technologies, and Process and Resources Engineering. The instrument also groups these narrow fields under three broad fields: Natural and Physical Sciences, Information Technology, and Engineering and Related Technologies. The instrument expressly states that the broad-field information in column 2 is provided for information only, meaning the operative specification is the individual field listed in column 1. The new instrument does not state that applicants with degrees in these fields automatically qualify for a skilled visa or automatically receive specialist education points. The field specification is only one part of the underlying qualification requirements. The relevant provisions also require the qualifying Australian master's by research or doctoral degree and the required period of study.

From 22 September 2026, the Migration (Designated Areas) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/004) specifies the areas that are designated for the purposes identified in the Migration Regulations 1994. The instrument uses postcode-based designations as well as designations covering particular states or territories, establishing the geographic scope that applies where the Regulations refer to a designated area. The instrument is particularly relevant where a visa condition requires the visa holder to live, work or study in a designated area. For affected visa holders, whether a particular location satisfies the designated-area requirement is determined by the areas specified in LIN 26/004.

For the 2026–27 to 2028–29 financial years, the ATO will acquire visa data from the Department of Home Affairs under the new data-matching programme. The information covers several groups and data categories. For visa applicants and sponsors, this includes address and contact histories. For migration agents, it includes address and contact histories and information identifying agents who assisted or facilitated visa applications. The programme also covers the history of visas granted, visa status at particular points in time and the visa subclass held. The ATO will also obtain records of all international travel movements undertaken by visa holders, including arrivals and departures. Sponsor information for subclass 457 arrangements and information identifying the educational institution where a student visa holder intends to study are also included. The ATO estimates that records relating to approximately 9 million individuals will be obtained during each financial year covered by the programme. The matched information may be used to identify and assess tax and superannuation risks, develop compliance or educational responses, test risk-detection models and identify potential approaches to fraud involving the visa framework. The ATO also states that the programme can support the cancellation of ABNs belonging to ineligible holders and compliance activities under Australia's foreign-investment rules. The programme is subject to the Australian Privacy Principles and the Privacy Act 1988, and the notice states that it follows the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner's 2014 guidelines on data matching in Australian Government administration.

From 19 September 2026, Ministerial Directions 121 and 122 govern the processing order for the skilled visa applications covered by them. Applications connected with construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, resources, law enforcement or defence interests are placed in the highest priority group under both directions. For temporary skilled visas covered by MD121, Specialist Skills stream applications form the second priority group, followed by onshore applications, certain offshore applications without accompanying applicants and then all other applications. For the provisional and permanent visas covered by MD122, onshore applications follow the priority-sector group, followed by certain offshore applications and then all other applications. The directions apply to applications covered by the relevant processing rules and determine the order in which the Department considers them. They do not provide an entitlement to a particular processing time or guarantee that an application will be granted.

Australia's migration policies will be updated to give more control over who arrives, stays, and leaves, focusing on attracting necessary skills and reducing Net Overseas Migration to 245,000 this financial year and 225,000 in 2027/28. Key changes include strengthening compliance measures, updating Ministerial Direction 119 for skilled migration priority processing in specific sectors, improving student visa integrity by stopping visa hopping and restricting secondary applicants, cracking down on rogue migration agents, introducing a 'No Further Stay' condition on all visitor visas, updating Ministerial Direction 110 to combat hate and criminal behaviour (better protecting child victims of crime and victims of domestic and family violence, and reflecting commitment to stamping out hatred), and introducing a ballot system with a regional work requirement for the second and third years of the Working Holiday Maker Programme, alongside stabilising processing times to three months.

As of 7 July 2026, NSW provides an updated visa-information list for people seeking to undertake apprenticeships and traineeships. The guidance confirms that eligibility is determined by a person's citizenship, permanent-resident status, New Zealand citizenship/residency status or whether their particular visa subclass appears on the NSW eligible visa list. Visa holders must also have the appropriate rights to work and study in Australia and satisfy the other requirements for an apprenticeship or traineeship. The updated information is intended to help prospective apprentices and trainees, employers and training providers determine whether a person holding a particular Australian visa can enter a formal training contract. Holding an Australian visa does not automatically establish eligibility; the specific visa subclass and its conditions must be considered together with the NSW apprenticeship and traineeship requirements. The guidance covers visa holders who may be eligible under specified visa categories, while other visa holders may remain ineligible depending on their status and conditions. The NSW Government's current list should therefore be used when assessing eligibility rather than assuming that all temporary residents have access to apprenticeships or traineeships. This update does not create a new visa, immigration stream or pathway to permanent residence. It is an update to NSW's eligibility information for participating in apprenticeships and traineeships.

Applications for New South Wales (NSW) nomination under Pathway 1 (Apply if you're currently employed with a regional NSW employer) and Pathway 3 (Apply if you recently graduated from a Regional NSW institution) of the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) are now closed for the current programme year. Applications for a TSMIT/CSIT concession under Pathway 1 are also closed. Pathway 2 (Be invited to apply by Investment NSW) remains open, with invitation rounds held throughout the financial year based on a NSW Regional Skills List. Applications already submitted will continue to be assessed and finalised once new nomination places are allocated by the Department of Home Affairs. Programme settings and eligibility criteria for the next programme year are currently under review.

Queensland offers state nomination to skilled workers living outside Australia for the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). Applicants must meet both Australian Department of Home Affairs and Migration Queensland's criteria. Key requirements include having an occupation on the Queensland Offshore Skills List, a score of 65 or higher in the Australian Department of Home Affairs' points test, at least competent English, and a minimum of one year's skilled employment experience in their nominated or a closely related occupation. Applicants must be currently employed in their nominated or a closely related occupation at the time of invitation and nomination. A commitment to live and work in Queensland for a specified period post-visa grant is also required: three years for subclass 491 visa holders in regional Queensland, or two years for subclass 190 visa holders anywhere in Queensland.

Applications for nomination under the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) are now closed for the current programme year. All available nomination places have been fully allocated by the Department of Home Affairs. Applications already submitted will continue to be assessed and finalised. The programme settings and eligibility criteria for the next programme year are currently under review.

The Tasmanian Skilled Migration State Nomination Program will open to new Registrations of Interest (ROIs) on 17 August 2026 for the 2026-27 programme year. Changes to priority attributes for selection will apply. Weekly invitations to apply for nomination will commence from Thursday, 20 August 2026. The programme has 2,050 nomination allocations: 1,250 for subclass 190 and 800 for subclass 491. The service fee to apply for nomination has increased to $387 ($425.70 including GST). The Subclass 491 Overseas Skilled Occupation Profiles - Invitation Only Pathway will not issue invitations for the 2026-27 programme year, except for overseas health and teaching professionals with a Tasmanian job offer who may be eligible for subclass 190.

The proposed new rules, which were expected to be announced, would have included: - Tougher family visa rules. - A cap on the number of backpackers in the country. - Restrictions on the work and appeal rights of asylum seekers. - Prevention of spouses, children, and parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents from applying for family visas while in the country as tourists. - Expansion of lotteries for working holiday-makers. Separately, the government had already implemented: - A substantial increase in visa application fees, effective 1 July. - Two ministerial directives prioritising onshore applicants over offshore applicants for permanent skilled and family visas, with limited exceptions for law enforcement and defence workers.

From 1 July 2026: Core Skills Income Threshold: AUD 76,515 Specialist Skills Income Threshold: AUD 141,210 The applicable salary must meet the threshold or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher. The change applies to relevant new nomination applications. The Core Skills stream requires the nominated occupation to be on the Core Skills Occupation List. The Specialist Skills stream applies to eligible occupations and requires the nominated salary to meet the SSIT.

The new priorities are in force from 18 July 2026. They apply to applications for a Subclass 202 visa made on or after the commencement of the instrument. For relevant CSP applications, the Commonwealth priorities now focus on: Age → English → Financial self-sufficiency The priorities apply to the primary applicant, not automatically to every family member included in the application.

This legislative instrument establishes annual applicant limits for Subclass 202 (Global Special Humanitarian) Visas and sets out rules for determining whether a specified limit would be exceeded.

The Migration (Nil VAC Arrangements and Other Matters) Instrument 2026 was amended by the Migration (Nil VAC Arrangements and Other Matters) Amendment (Rugby League World Cup 2026) Instrument 2026. The specific nature of the amendments is not detailed beyond the instrument's title which suggests changes related to the Rugby League World Cup 2026.

The skilled-visa income thresholds have been indexed for the 2026–27 programme year. The Core Skills stream continues to require an occupation on the CSOL. The employer must pay at least the applicable CSIT and AMSR, with the higher salary requirement applying. The CSOL uses ANZSCO 2022 occupation codes for subclass 482 applications. Occupation-specific caveats can restrict sponsorship even where an occupation appears on the CSOL.

From 1 July 2026, Subclass 462 applications are governed by the new LIN 26/072 instrument. Applicants generally use Form 1208 (Internet) to apply online. If the Department gives an applicant a written notice allowing another application method, the applicant can follow the instructions in that notice. The broader 2026 amendments also moved the age criterion from the visa grant provisions to the application provisions.

From 1 July 2026, the maximum age for eligible passport holders from Cyprus, Finland, Germany and the Republic of Korea is 35. The person must still meet the other requirements for a Subclass 417 visa. The age change therefore expands eligibility for these four nationalities, but it does not mean that every person aged 35 or under automatically qualifies for the visa.

The Migration (Nil VAC Arrangements and Other Matters) Instrument 2026 now includes 'Division 3A—Rugby League World Cup 2026'. This new division establishes nil Visa Application Charge (VAC) provisions for specified events under paragraph 408.229(b) and specified classes of persons under paragraph 408.229(c) for the Rugby League World Cup 2026. These individuals will be eligible for a nil VAC for certain visa subclasses.

-Age requirements for subclass 417 and 462 are now in Schedule 1. -Applicants must meet the applicable age requirement when they lodge a valid application. -If an applicant meets the age requirement at lodgement, reaching the age limit during processing does not make them ineligible because of their age. -Applicants who are already over the applicable age limit cannot lodge a valid application.

This Determination establishes the daily maintenance amount for individuals held in detention. It specifically repeals the Migration (Daily Maintenance Amount for Persons in Detention) Determination (LIN 24/017) 2024.

The amended rules are now in force. For relevant Subclass 202 applications, the application must meet the applicable requirements introduced or amended by the regulations. Whether a person can obtain a Subclass 202 visa therefore depends on the requirements that apply to their particular application, including the rules relating to an APO proposal where one is involved.

This instrument, titled Migration Legislation Amendment (Arrangements for Work and Holiday Visas—Luxembourg) Instrument 2026, introduced amendments to the Migration (Arrangements for Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) Visa Applications) Instrument (LIN 21/019) 2021. These amendments specifically concern Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) Visas for applicants from Luxembourg. The exact details of the changes are not provided in the source material, beyond the instrument's title indicating an amendment related to Luxembourg and Work and Holiday visas.

The 2026 instrument replaces the 2018 instrument. Applications for subclasses 103, 804, 143 and 864 must generally be made online. The approved online form is Form 47PA (Internet). Applications are made through the Department of Home Affairs' online system. Paper lodgement may still be possible where the Department has authorised it, including in specified circumstances. Subclasses 173 and 884 continue to have separate lodgement arrangements. The change does not create a new Parent visa. The change does not alter the substantive eligibility requirements for Parent visas.

The Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Act 2026 is now in force. The legislation provides the legal framework for the public register of approved work sponsors. The register is intended to increase transparency around employer sponsorship.

This instrument, known as the Migration (Specified Courses and Exams for Registration as a Migration Agent) Instrument 2026, details the specific courses and examinations required for registration as a Migration Agent. It sets out prescribed minimum scores to be achieved in examinations and the periods for their completion. Additionally, the instrument includes application and transitional provisions, such as requirements for submitting evidence of prescribed courses completed before its commencement and for specific TOEFL iBT scores.

The sponsorship and nomination requirements introduced in March 2026 have been incorporated into Australia's current Migration Regulations. The original amendment instrument, F2026L00221, ceased to be in force on 29 June 2026, but the changes it made remain part of the current regulatory framework.

This Determination specifies the classes of temporary visas that make individuals eligible for English courses under the Immigration (Education) Act 1971. The instrument itself is titled "Immigration (Education) (Classes of Temporary Visas Eligible for English Courses) Determination 2026."

The Migration (Temporary Visa Subclasses for PIC 4005 and 4007) Instrument 2026 specifies the temporary visa subclasses for the purposes of Public Interest Criterion (PIC) 4005 and PIC 4007, under the Migration Regulations 1994. This instrument is administered by the Department of Home Affairs and is currently in force.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.