Australian Immigration News
Monday, 27 November 2023New Permanent Visa Requirements
Thousands of Subclass 482 Temporary Skills Shortage visa holders now have a pathway to permanent residency under new legislation implemented on 25 November 2023. Friday, 10 November 2023
Major Changes to Employer Sponsored Visa Pathways
Changes to the employer-sponsored visas planned for 25 November mean a pathway to PR for almost all 482 visa holders. Friday, 01 September 2023
Closure of Subclass 408 COVID Pandemic Event Visa
Immigration has confirmed a closure date for the popular Subclass 408 COVID Pandemic Event visa. Saturday, 15 July 2023
May 2023 Skillselect Round Data
Healthcare and Education occupations are again the focus of the latest invitation round. Monday, 24 April 2023
New Pathway to Citizenship for New Zealand Citizens
From 1 July 2023, New Zealand Citizens who have lived in Australia for at least 4 years as the holder of a Special Category Visa will be able to apply directly for Australian Citizenship, without first needing to apply for permanent residency. Tuesday, 10 May 2022
SkillSelect Update April 2022
A big increase in invitations for the April round. Friday, 18 March 2022
Pathway to Permanent Residency for Short-Term 482 visa holders
Immigration has announced a new pathway to permanent residency for a cohort of Subclass 482 Short-Term visa holders, in response to labour demand and declining numbers of temporary visa holders. Thursday, 20 January 2022
Working Holiday Makers: 6 Month Rule is Gone!
WHM holders no longer have a 6-month work limitation to contend with Thursday, 20 January 2022
Changes to Student Visa Work Restrictions
A temporary change allows Student visa holders unlimited work rights Tuesday, 23 November 2021
The End of Travel Restrictions for Certain Visas
UPDATED: From 15 December 2021, eligible visa holders who have been fully vaccinated will be free to travel to and from Australia without the need to first apply for a Travel Exemption. Wednesday, 17 November 2021
October SkillSelect Round
Small invitation numbers and high points mean long waits in SkillSelect. Friday, 12 November 2021
New Options for Migrants with Visa Refusal or Cancellation
From 13 November, migrants who have had a visa refused or cancelled while in Australia have access to additional onshore visa options. Wednesday, 18 August 2021
Travel Exemption Options for Fiancés
Border Force has now added Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage visa holders to the list of those who can apply for a Travel Exemption to enter Australia. Thursday, 29 July 2021
Pharmacists added to the PMSOL
From 27 July, three Pharmacist occupations have been added to the PMSOL for priority processing. Tuesday, 22 June 2021
Huge Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List Update
Minister for Immigration announces a huge update to the PMSOL, giving priority processing to a wider range of occupations now in high demand in Australia. Friday, 21 May 2021
Final SkillSelect Round for 2020/2021 Financial Year
Results have now been released for the final invitation round of the 2020/2021 financial year, with some big jumps in invitation numbers for certain occupations. Monday, 17 May 2021
Updated Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL)
A priority skills list effective from 11 May 2021, giving speedier processing and travel exemptions to select occupations. Tuesday, 11 May 2021
Tourism and Hospitality Added to Critical Sectors
Subclass 408 COVID-19 Pandemic Event visa applicants and Student visa holders in the hospitality and tourism sectors are now able to access new work arrangements following changes introduced by the Minister for Immigration. Monday, 08 March 2021
January SkillSelect Round Results
The first invitation round for 2021 had some interesting outcomes, with over three times the number of invitations and some new occupations receiving invites for the first time. Monday, 15 February 2021
Family Visa Concessions - Offshore Visas Granted Onshore
Immigration has now confirmed concessions allowing certain offshore Family visas to be granted while the applicant is in Australia Thursday, 11 February 2021
Five Key Considerations for a Successful GTI Application
The GTI program offers a streamlined permanent pathway that may be an attractive alternative for highly skilled professionals and employers looking to entice significant talent. Our blog will guide you through five key points to consider and address for a successful application under this program. Friday, 29 January 2021
State Migration Program Updates for January 2021
UPDATED 4 FEBRUARY 2021 A wrap-up of the latest news from each of the State and Territory Governments on their visa nomination programs. Friday, 29 January 2021
Immigration Updates and Information for January 2021
As we end the first month of the new year, join us for a look at the latest news and developments in the world of Australian Immigration. Thursday, 17 December 2020
Amendments Compilation December 2020
The Australian Government has been busy over the last month, announcing a number of amendments across a wide range of visa types. In addition, State Migration programs have slowly begun to reopen, there are changes to PTE English test score levels, and the introduction of a new Australian Values Statement. Wednesday, 09 December 2020
Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL)
*Updated list* - Priority processing is available for select occupations under employer-sponsored pathways. Wednesday, 25 November 2020
Regional Labour Agreements
With international border closures reducing the number of Working Holiday makers in Australia, and with demand for Australian made and grown goods on the increase, farmers may be finding it difficult to source skilled workers. A labour agreement may be the answer. Monday, 16 November 2020
Immigration Amendments November 2020
Released quietly last week, the Department of Home Affairs introduced a number of amendments to Working Holiday, Distinguished Talent, and permanent Skilled Regional Visas. Thursday, 05 November 2020
Minimum Points Score, but Minimal Invitations
Only 65 points were required to receive an invitation in the October round, but only a tiny number of invitations were issued to select occupations. Monday, 02 November 2020
Medical Focus for September Round
Focusing almost entirely on medical-related occupations, the September round delivered no surprises in light of the current pandemic situation. Thursday, 22 October 2020
The Top 10 Partner Visa Tips
Preparing to lodge a Partner visa application? Acacia has 10 top tips on how to start. Wednesday, 14 October 2020
Federal Budget Analysis 2020-21
The release of the 2020-21 Budget has revealed a number of planned changes to the Department of Home Affairs and the migration program, with significant changes to the General Skilled, Family, and Global Talent categories. Tuesday, 06 October 2020
New Labour Market Testing Requirements
Immigration has advised of a mistake in the newly released Labour Market Testing (LMT) legislation, and confirms the new requirements are just as onerous as first announced. Monday, 21 September 2020
Concessions For Visa Applicants Affected By COVID-19
Concessions were introduced on 19 September 2020, allowing for offshore lodgements, extension of eligibility, and further pathways for certain temporary visa holders. Thursday, 03 September 2020
Employer Sponsored Visas - New Priority and LMT Requirements
Certain employer-sponsored visa applicants and holders will be eligible for priority processing and travel exemptions under a new occupation list. Changes to Labour Market Testing requirements are being introduced. Thursday, 27 August 2020
August SkillSelect was for the Health Professionals
The latest SkillSelect round was small but concise, targeting health and medical professionals and few (if any) others. Thursday, 20 August 2020
New Financial Year - New SkillSelect Information
Data on the first round for 2020-2021 was been released, revealing a targeted set of occupations in the new financial year. Immigration has also quietly amended the occupation ceilings, with some significant changes. Monday, 27 July 2020
SkillSelect Update for May and June 2020
The long-awaited invitation round data has finally been released by Immigration, showing a very specific type of occupation is attracting the most invites. Monday, 20 July 2020
Student and Graduate Visa Changes
Updated 28 August 2020 - The Australian Government has announced intended changes to the Student and Graduate visa programs to support International Students affected by COVID-19. Monday, 06 July 2020
International Students to Return to Australia
Rumours that International Students will be able to return to Australia this month have flown around internet sites and chat rooms, but it's not good news for everyone. Monday, 22 June 2020
State Migration Update - End 2020
*Updated 29 June* As we near the end of the 2019-2020 financial year, the Australian States and Territories are swiftly updating their Nomination programs for the Subclass 190 and 491 visas. Monday, 06 April 2020
COVID-19 - Temporary Visa Work Arrangements
The Minister for Immigration has announced a number of changes affecting temporary visa holders in Australia, including Students, Working Holiday Makers, and Tourists. Monday, 06 April 2020
Temporary Work Visas and the Coronavirus - FAQ
UPDATED 6 APRIL - Questions frequently asked by Temporary Work 457 and 482 visa holders on how they could be affected due to government restrictions. Wednesday, 25 March 2020
Government Bans Departure of Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents
The Australian Government has introduced emergency legislation banning Australians from travelling overseas during the Coronavirus pandemic . Thursday, 19 March 2020
PM Announces Australia to Close Borders
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces the closure of Australia's borders from 9pm Friday 20 March 2020. Monday, 20 January 2020
State Nominations for Subclass 491 Visas
We take a look at the current State Nomination requirements from each State/Territory of Australia for the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional visa. Wednesday, 13 November 2019
New Regional Postcodes Released!
Immigration has now released the list of postcodes that make up 'Regional Australia' for migration purposes. Wednesday, 30 October 2019
Regional Visa Holders Eligible for Medicare
Holders of the new Regional Provisional visas will be eligible for Medicare, following an announcement from the Department of Health. Monday, 28 October 2019
Perth and Gold Coast to be regional
Perth and the Gold Coast are set to be classified as 'regional areas' once new Immigration changes are introduced in November this year. Thursday, 26 September 2019
Regional Flavour - Part Two
There are a number of beautiful places in Australia for migrants interested in the new Subclass 491 and 494 Regional Provisional visas. In part two, we look at the central and western states of Australia. Tuesday, 17 September 2019
Regional Flavour - Part One
There are a number of beautiful places in Australia for migrants interested in the new Subclass 491 and 494 Regional Provisional visas. In part one, we look at some of the eastern states of Australia. Tuesday, 02 July 2019
Working Holiday Visa Update 1 July 2019
Immigration introduced a number of changes to the Subclass 417 Working Holiday and Subclass 462 Work & Holiday visa schemes on 1 July 2019 Tuesday, 23 April 2019
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa
Details on the new regional employer-sponsored visa are now available, in anticipation of the changes on 16 November 2019. Wednesday, 27 March 2019
New Regional Visas Proposed
Immigration has proposed introducing three new regional visas in an effort to encourage migrants to settle in regional Australia, effective from November 2019. Friday, 22 March 2019
Third year for Working Holiday Makers announced
From 1 July 2019, working holiday makers will be able to apply for a third year visa following further specified regional work. Tuesday, 13 November 2018
Permanent Residence for 405 Investor Retirement and 410 Retirement Visa Holders
New legislation due to commence on 17 November 2018 will now provide a pathway to permanent residence for subclass 405 Investor Retirement and subclass 410 Retirement visa holders in Australia.
