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Home Affairs announcements, processing-time changes, policy updates.
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- Home Affairs48248518919016 October 2026
Card payment surcharges removed from October 2026
From 1 October 2026, the Department of Home Affairs stopped charging surcharges on all card, PayPal and UnionPay visa payments, following a Reserve Bank review.
Read more - Home Affairs4824851891902 October 2026
Government Reaffirms Migration is Good for Australia's Future
The Home Affairs Minister outlined the government's commitment to migration as essential for Australia's economy and aging population. No specific visa policy changes were announced.
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 Affairs82080130030925 September 2026
Partner Visa Processing Priority Explained
Home Affairs processes partner visas in order of receipt, with onshore applications prioritised over offshore ones. Processing times vary depending on visa subclass.
Read more - Home Affairs30910024 September 2026
Partner Visa 309 Cost Concession for Pacific Island and Timor-Leste Citizens
From 1 July 2026, eligible citizens from Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste will pay lower fees for Partner visa subclass 309 applications. This reduces costs for applicants from these regions.
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 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 Affairs30982010110312 September 2026
Family visa processing priorities updated under new ministerial direction
Home Affairs has replaced the previous ministerial direction with Direction 117, which sets new processing priorities for family visa applications based on where applicants are located.
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 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 Affairs48248518919019 August 2026
Government cracks down on unlicensed migration agents
Australian authorities have suspended or cancelled three migration agents who illegally allowed unregistered people to handle visa applications. The crackdown aims to protect visa applicants from fraud and unqualified advice.
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