Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) Application Fee Doubles to $4,600 from 1 March
Date: 01 March 2026 From 1 March, the cost of applying for a Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) has doubled, increasing from $2,300 to $4,600 for primary applicants. READ MORE What Is the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)? The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa is a post-study work visa that allows eligible international students to […]
Minimum Income Threshold for Subclass 482 & 186 to Increase from 1 July 2026
Date: 27 February 2026 From 1 July 2026, new minimum salary benchmarks will apply to employer-sponsored visa applications in Australia. These thresholds apply to: Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) If you are lodging a 482 visa or 186 visa nomination on or after 1 July 2026, the new […]
Occupation Tier System for Subclass 189 Visa Invitations Explained
Date: 11 December 2025 In December 2025, a Freedom of Information document revealed new insight into how the Department of Home Affairs is managing invitations under the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189). While the Department has not formally announced changes, the internal policy minute from May 2025 outlines what is now known as the Occupation […]
Do You Need to Live Together to Apply for a Partner Visa in Australia?
Date: 15 July 2025 The answer depends on whether you are applying as a spouse or as a de facto partner, and whether your circumstances satisfy the statutory definitions contained in the Migration Regulations 1994 For Subclass 820/801 (onshore) and Subclass 309/100 (offshore) Partner visas, the legislative definitions of “spouse” and “de facto partner” are […]
Four Pillars of Relationship Evidence for an Australian Partner Visa
Date: 05 June 2025 When applying for an Australian Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801 or Subclass 309/100), the central legal question is whether the applicant is in a genuine and continuing spousal or de facto relationship with their sponsoring partner. To determine whether a relationship meets the statutory definition, the Department must consider four prescribed categories […]
Do You Need to Be Married to Apply for a Partner Visa in Australia?
Date: 12 May 2025 For Partner Visas (Subclass 820/801 and 309/100), the answer is no — you do not need to be legally married to qualify. You may apply either as a spouse or as a de facto partner. What Is a Partner Visa (Subclass 820 / 309)? The Partner Visa allows the spouse or […]
Online services for paper-based Parent visa applications
Date: 25 April 2025 Previously, Parent visa applicants submitting paper applications had limited access to online tools. Now, once the Department acknowledges receipt of a paper application, the applicant can import the application into ImmiAccount, making it easier to manage their application. READ MORE What has changed? While applicants must still apply using a paper form, parent visa applicants can now manage their submitted visa application online through ImmiAccount – once their application has been acknowledged by the Department of Home Affairs. These services help […]
Income threshold for Employer Sponsored visas to rise from 01 July 2025
Date: 25 March 2025 From 1 July 2025, skilled visa income thresholds will rise by 4.6%, in line with annual wage growth (AWOTE). READ MORE New Application Charges Income thresholds are indexed annually so wages for skilled migrants increase at the same rate as Australian workers. This ensures that people cannot use skilled migration to […]
New 5 Year Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) for NT
Date: 20 March 2025 On 19 March 2025, a new Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) for Northern Territory comes into effect. READ MORE What are DAMA agreements? DAMAs are a formal arrangement between the Commonwealth of Australia and a designated area representative (DAR). A DAR may be a state or territory government or regional body. […]
Letters of Offer not accepted for onshore Student visa application
Date: 06 January 2025 Starting 1 January 2025, students applying for a Student visa from within Australia must include a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) at the time of application. The Department of Home Affairs will no longer accept Letters of Offer for onshore Student visa applications. READ MORE Why the Change? Previously, you could submit […]
