On 19 August 2024, a significant development occurred in Australia's immigration law landscape with the introduction of the Migration Amendment (Limits on Immigration Detention) Bill 2024 by Ms. Kylea Tink MP. This private member's Bill seeks to bring substantial changes to the existing Migration Act 1958, particularly concerning the duration and conditions of immigration detention.

In an effort to support Australia's booming construction industry, the Australian Government has introduced significant changes to fast-track and prioritise skills assessments for construction related occupations. 

A Resident Return Visa (subclass 155 and 157) allows Australian permanent residents and former permanent residents to travel overseas and return to Australia as permanent residents. This visa is vital for those whose travel facility on their permanent visa has expired and need to re-enter Australia.

The Migration Amendment (Family Violence Provisions for Partner Visa Applicants) Regulations 2024,

When applying for a visa to Australia, meeting the health requirement is a crucial step in the process. One of the key factors that the Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC) considers is whether an applicant has a condition that may impose a significant cost on the Australian community. This is known as the Significant Cost Threshold (SCT).

On 14 May 2024, the Australian Government unveiled the planning levels for its 2024–25 permanent Migration Program, setting it at 185,000 places. This strategic plan aims to address skills shortages, boost regional development, and strengthen social cohesion by strengthening family and community bonds.

As of 2 August 2024, the Department of Home Affairs has introduced significant updates to the Subclass 482 visa, particularly in relation to the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirements for occupations in the Short-Term Stream. These changes aim to simplify the application process, reduce the burden on applicants, and ensure a fairer and more transparent system.

The long awaited allocations of State Nominations for the Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 visa have been announced. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of the allocations.

The Australian government has recently established the Australian Review Tribunal (ART) to replace the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) under Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024 (ART Act). This move aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in administrative decision-making.

The Migration Amendment (Business Innovation and Investment Program Closure) Regulations 2024 has been introduced to amend the Migration Regulations 1994. This amendment effectively closes the BIIP to new visa applications across several streams.

From 1 July 2024, Temporary Work (Skilled) (Subclass 457) visa holders, Temporary Skill Shortage (Subclass 482) visa holders and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (Subclass 494) visa holders who stop working with their employer sponsor will have more time to find a new sponsor, apply for a different visa or arrange to depart Australia.

On 1 July 2024, the Australian Government will implement new restrictions on the student visa application process as part of its Migration Strategy.

A comprehensive guide on the sponsorship requirements, outlining the application process, limitations, legal framework, and essential tips to help you navigate this complex journey successfully.

Starting July 1, the minimum salary threshold (TSMIT) for sponsoring an overseas skilled worker will rise from $70,000 to $73,150, excluding superannuation. Be aware that you may need to offer a higher salary based on the Australian market rate for the specific position.

In a welcome update from the Department of Home Affairs, the maximum age limit for Masters (research) and doctoral degree (PhD) graduates applying for the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education Work stream will remain at 50 years after July 1, 2024.

Recently, the Department of Home Affairs has raised concerns regarding inconsistencies in health information provided by secondary applicants aged 23 years or older for Partner (Subclass 309/100) visa applications.

The Australian government has announced significant changes to the Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa program, set to take effect from July 1, 2024, subject to the passage of legislative amendments.

The Australian government has announced the permanent closure of the Skilled – Recognised Graduate (Subclass 476) visa, effective from July 1, 2024. This decision is part of the broader Migration Strategy, as the visa is no longer considered aligned with the country's policy priorities.

The Victorian government has announced the closure of its 2023-24 state nominated skilled visa program for new Registrations of Interest (ROIs) as of April 23, 2024. This program covers the subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) and subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) visas.

Find out about the different permanent visa options for your parents to join you in Australia