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Home Affairs announcements, processing-time changes, policy updates.
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- Home Affairs48248518919030 September 2026
Understanding Australia's Skilled Migration Program
Home Affairs provides an overview of visa options for skilled workers wanting to live and work in Australia, ranging from short-term to permanent residency pathways.
Read more - Home Affairs48248518919029 September 2026
Biometric checks at Australian borders explained
Non-citizens may be asked to provide fingerprint scans when arriving or departing Australia. The scans are deleted immediately after checking and take only a few minutes.
Read more - Home Affairs48248518919029 September 2026
Migration (Designated Areas) Instrument 2026
Home Affairs has updated the list of designated areas under Australia's migration regulations, effective 21 September 2026. This affects visa applicants and holders in specified regions.
Read more - Home Affairs48248518919028 September 2026
Australia reducing net migration to 225,000 annually
The government is implementing changes to reduce net overseas migration to 225,000 per year to allow housing supply to catch up with demand. This affects skilled migration and temporary visa programs.
Read more - Home Affairs48248518919028 September 2026
Home Affairs Updates Visa Fees and Skilled Migration Rules
Home Affairs has amended regulations affecting citizenship application fees, temporary skilled migration income thresholds, and visa application fees effective 30 June 2026.
Read more - Home Affairs49119018927 September 2026
Skilled Workers Already Living in Queensland
Queensland welcomes skilled workers currently living onshore to apply for state nomination. Places are limited, so check eligibility requirements carefully before applying.
Read more - Home Affairs48248518919023 September 2026
Designated Areas Instrument 2026 Updated
Home Affairs has updated the list of designated areas under migration law. This may affect sponsorship and visa requirements for certain regional visa subclasses.
Read more - Home Affairs50060048218919 September 2026
Australia tightens migration rules to reduce numbers and stop visa misuse
The government is introducing stricter visa conditions and compliance measures to reduce Net Overseas Migration to 245,000 this year. Changes affect student visas, visitor visas, skilled migration, and working holiday makers.
Read more - Home Affairs48248518919018 September 2026
Minister Burke Outlines Immigration Reform Plans
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke delivered a speech on Citizenship Day 2026 outlining the government's approach to immigration reform, including temporary visas and student visas.
Read more - Home Affairs18919049148218 September 2026
Australian Government Announces Major Migration Policy Changes
The Australian Government is implementing changes to skilled migration, student visas, visitor visas, and the Working Holiday Maker Program over the next 12 months to manage migration levels and improve system integrity.
Read more - Home Affairs18919049118612 September 2026
Permanent Migration Program planning levels
Home Affairs has published information about how Australia plans its permanent migration intake levels. This affects anyone applying for permanent residence visas.
Read more - Home Affairs6005001891909 September 2026
Digital arrival card now available for Melbourne airport travellers
The Australian Travel Declaration (ATD) pilot program has expanded to Melbourne Airport. Eligible passengers on selected Qantas flights can now complete their arrival declaration digitally through the Qantas app instead of paper forms.
Read more - Home Affairs4824851891906 September 2026
Immigration Program Administration Guidelines Updated
Home Affairs has released the 16th edition of immigration program administration guidelines. This document outlines how visa programs are managed and processed.
Read more - Home Affairsgeneral4824851893 September 2026
Coalition proposes stricter immigration policy with values-based requirements
The Opposition has announced a migration plan to reduce immigration numbers and introduce stricter visa conditions, including an Australian Values Statement requirement and additional social media scrutiny.
Read more - Home Affairs4824851891902 September 2026
Home Affairs Updates Visa Fees and Skilled Migration Rules
Home Affairs has amended regulations affecting citizenship application fees, temporary skilled migration income thresholds, and visa application fees, effective 30 June 2026.
Read more - Home Affairs60018919049128 August 2026
New Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Laws Coming in 2026
Australia is updating laws to combat money laundering and terrorism financing. AUSTRAC will gain new powers to restrict high-risk financial products and services.
Read more - Home Affairs60018919048228 August 2026
Australia and Indonesia strengthen security cooperation
Australia and Indonesia have agreed to expand partnerships on counter-terrorism, cyber security, and border control. This affects visa processing and security screening for all applicants.
Read more - Home Affairs48248518919015 August 2026
Annual Market Salary Rate Updated for 2026
Home Affairs updated the annual market salary rate used to assess certain visa applications. This affects skilled migration visa applicants whose eligibility depends on salary thresholds.
Read more - Home Affairs18919049148210 August 2026
Understanding visa processing times and what affects them
Home Affairs publishes median processing times for key visa categories to help applicants understand delays. Processing times vary significantly based on application completeness and other factors.
Read more - Home Affairs4824851891908 August 2026
Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) to be reformed from 2029
The Australian Government is changing how the Adult Migrant English Program works from January 2029. The new model will focus on migrants with the greatest need for English language support.
Read more - Home Affairs6001891904828 August 2026
Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Act 2026
New legislation has been passed that amends Australia's migration laws, focusing on arrival control powers. The changes affect how Department of Home Affairs manages border arrivals.
Read more - Home Affairs4911891904947 August 2026
Queensland State Nomination Fee Increase from 1 July 2026
Queensland's state nomination application fee is increasing to $573 from 1 July 2026. This affects skilled visa applicants who receive an invitation to apply for Queensland nomination.
Read more - Home Affairs4821851891907 August 2026
NSW State Migration Plan 2024-28
NSW Government released its first State Migration Plan outlining priorities for migration to address skill shortages and support migrant success in the state.
Read more - Home Affairs4824851891904 August 2026
Check Your Visa Processing Times Online
Home Affairs has a tool to help you estimate how long your visa application may take. Processing times are based on recently decided applications.
Read more - Home Affairshumanitarianrefugee1901893 August 2026
Australia Celebrates Refugee Week 2026 and One Million Humanitarian Visas
Australia marks Refugee Week (14-20 June 2026) and celebrates granting one million permanent humanitarian visas since World War II. This acknowledges the country's long history of refugee resettlement.
Read more - Home Affairs6001891904823 August 2026
Australia Travel Declaration rolling out nationwide by end of 2027
Australia is replacing paper passenger cards with a digital Australia Travel Declaration (ATD) at all airports and seaports. Travellers can pre-fill their declaration up to 72 hours before arrival.
Read more - Home Affairs18618718919030 July 2026
New Processing Priorities for Skilled Visa Applications from July 2026
Home Affairs has introduced new processing priorities for skilled visa applications effective 25 July 2026. Applications are now ranked by occupation type and applicant location.
Read more - Home Affairs18919049118629 July 2026
Understanding Visa Processing Times
Home Affairs publishes median processing times for key visa categories. Skilled permanent visas take 9 months on average, while Partner visas take 20 months.
Read more - Home Affairs18919049148228 July 2026
Permanent Migration Program remains at 185,000 for 2025-2026
Australia's permanent migration intake stays unchanged at 185,000 places for 2025-2026, with continued focus on skilled migration following consultation with states and territories.
Read more - Home Affairs49119018949425 July 2026
Queensland Skilled Migration Program 2025-26 - Registrations Now Closed
Queensland has closed registrations for its 2025-26 skilled migration program after receiving high volumes of applications. All available nomination places have been filled.
Read more - Home Affairs18919019149424 July 2026
2025-26 Migration Program Stays at 185,000 Permanent Visas
The Australian Government has confirmed the permanent migration program will remain at 185,000 visas for 2025-26. State and Territory nominated skilled visas will also stay at current planning levels.
Read more - Home Affairs48248518919023 July 2026
Visa processing times - Quarterly report
Home Affairs publishes quarterly reports showing how long it takes to process Migration and Temporary visas. These reports help applicants understand current processing trends and timeframes.
Read more