Latest Australian Immigration News

The latest news on Australian immigration, including changes to regulations, government policy announcements, and analysis of media releases affecting current and future applications.

Latest Australian immigration news

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Disclaimer: Any posted material is not intended to be immigration advice and does not purport to represent all requirements for a successful application or applications. No person should act on the basis of the material contained in any post without obtaining advice relevant to their situation, and without considering and taking professional advice where necessary. All opinion expressed is that of the author and nobody else.

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November 25, 2021

457/482: Age caps lifted for 457 visa holders for PR, Short-term stream pathway for 482 visa holders; Switzerland added to WHM visa program

November 25, 2021/ Alex Petrakos

The Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs announced a raft of changes today that will see the age cap for legacy 457 visa holders lifted and a pathway to permanent visas for 482 visa holders in the Short-term steam. Major benefits to 485 visas were also announced. Switzerland will be added to the WHM program from 1 January 2022.

November 01, 2021

491/494/190 visas: Bar from further application lifts from 13 November 2021; Hong Kong pathway to PR from 5 March 2022

November 01, 2021/ Alex Petrakos

For the first time in many years three skilled visas have been added to the small list of visas for those affected by the infamous section 48 bar from 13 November 2021. New streams for the 189 and 191 permanent visas have been registered for Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders to apply from 5 March 2022.

September 21, 2021

2020-21 program year exceeds planning level, 72,376 partner visas granted

September 21, 2021/ Alex Petrakos

The report for the 202-21 migration program year was released with the not unsurprising result of over 70,000 partner visas granted, leaving under 65,000 still to be processed. Other outcomes also surprised.

July 29, 2021

Pharmacists added to the PMSOL; No specified work from excluded employers for WHMs; Temporary parent visa extension

July 29, 2021/ Alex Petrakos

Pharmacists are added to the PMSOL, expanding the list to 44 occupations. New regulations see WHMs not able to claim employment from “excluded” employers, and temporary parent visa holders offshore as of 1 July 2021 will have their visas automatically extended by 18 months.