Migration (Designated Areas) Instrument 2026

Home Affairs has issued the Migration (Designated Areas) Instrument 2026, which updates the formal list of designated areas in Australia. This legislative instrument came into effect on 21 September 2026 and is administered by the Department of Home Affairs under the Migration Regulations 1994.

Designated areas are specific regions of Australia that may have different visa requirements, obligations or benefits depending on the visa subclass you hold. The instrument replaces the previous Designated Areas 2016/044 with updated information about which areas are currently designated.

If you hold or are applying for a visa with regional requirements (such as skilled migration visas or employer-sponsored visas), you should check whether your location falls within the updated designated areas list. The specific areas are detailed in Schedule 1 of the instrument.

For the most current information about how designated areas affect your specific visa, contact Home Affairs or visit www.legislation.gov.au using the reference F2026L01255.