We will be doing systems maintenance on some of our online systems from 6:30 pm (AEST) Monday 30 June 2025 to 8 am (AEST) Tuesday 1 July 2025. While we are making these changes, the following online services may not be available: • ImmiAccount • eLodgement (online visa and citizenship applications) • My Health Declarations (MHD) service • eMedical • Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) • LEGENDcom • Australian Trusted Trader • Employment Suitability Clearances • Detention Visitor Application • APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) • Humanitarian Entrants Management System (HEMS) • Adult Migrant English Program Reporting and Management System (ARMS) • Education Provider Report (eBIT) • Visa Pricing Estimator • MSI Register • Australian Migration Status (AMS) Training Portal • Online Payment Portal • Registration Gateway. If you receive a 'Service Temporarily Unavailable' error message during this time, please try again after the outage period. If your current visa is due to expire on 30 June 2025 and you intend to stay in Australia, please ensure you lodge your next visa application before 6:30 pm (AEST) Monday 30 June 2025. We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience.

Australia’s education excellence is again highlighted by the QS World University Rankings 2026, Our universities have delivered outstanding results in the latest rankings, further cementing the country’s reputation as a top study destination globally. Exceptional performances by leading universities Australia has an impressive 25% of its ranked universities in the top 100 globally, with 2 Australian universities rank in the top 20 worldwide and 6 Australian universities in the global top 50. The University of Melbourne: 19th The University of New South Wales: 20th The University of Sydney: =25th Australian National University: =32nd Monash University: =36th The University of Queensland: =42nd The University of Western Australia: 77th Adelaide University: =82nd * University of Technology Sydney: 96th *This year marks the global rankings debut of the new Adelaide University at 82. Global recognition and engagement Australian universities continue to excel in internationalisation: 12 universities received perfect scores for the International Faculty indicator. 5 universities achieved perfect scores for the International Student Ratio. These results highlight the welcoming, diverse, and globally connected environment found across Australian campuses – for both academic staff and international students. Research excellence and academic reputation Australia boasts six universities in the global top 50 for Academic Reputation, demonstrating the country’s strength in research and teaching. The overall average score for Australia stands at 49.8, placing it well ahead of other major study destinations such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. Study with Australia There are 43 quality assured universities in Australia to choose from and so many courses to explore! Australia also offers programs on campus and at provider partners around the world. Head to our Course Search tool to start exploring and enquiring today.

Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) for ImmiAccount is a significant cyber security enhancement that strengthens the integrity of Australia’s primary migration and visa system. MFA protects user information by providing a second layer of security in addition to a password. ImmiAccount users are now required to authenticate: • at each login • when creating a new account • when making account changes. ImmiAccount has a step-by-step guide to help you set up MFA. You will need to set up one of the following authentication methods: • Authenticator app (e.g. Microsoft or Google Authenticator) - download on a mobile device or personal computer to generate a rotating 6-digit code. This is the most secure and recommended option. • Email token - the 6-digit code is sent to the registered email address. This option is available for users who cannot use an authenticator app. We do not allow sharing of user credentials under the ImmiAccount Terms and Conditions. You must have your own user credentials. Organisation users can appoint one or more Organisation Account Administrators (OAAs) to help manage staff access in their organisation. For more information about how to request organisation ImmiAccount access and the OAA role see Manage your organisation accounts. You can find more information about MFA, including a short video at Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) for ImmiAccount.

Image credit: Western Sydney University Australian universities have again been recognised for making a difference in the latest global Impact Rankings from The Times Higher Education (THE). The annual THE Impact Rankings assess the social and economic contributions of universities around the world towards the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) Overall rankings Of the 2,300 universities ranked worldwide, Western Sydney University in Australia is the world’s number one for the fourth consecutive year! This year, Australia has the most top 10 universities in the world for contributions to the United Nation’s SGDs, with 3 universities in the overall category: Western Sydney University ranked 1st University of Tasmania ranked =4th Griffith University ranked =4th Highlights Australia has 24 universities represented in the rankings and has more in the global top 10 (three) than any other nation worldwide. Within the Oceania region, Australia’s Griffith University was in the top 10 universities on every one of these individual SDG rankings categories: Clean Water and Sanitation Affordable and Clean Energy Decent Work and Economic Growth Life Below Water Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions In joint fourth place overall, Australia’s University of Tasmania is also the world’s top education provider in both SDG 13 (climate action) and SDG 15 (life on land). Central Queensland University (CQU) in Australia has entered the top 25 for the first time. Considering Australia for your studies? There are 43 quality assured universities in Australia to choose from and so many courses to explore! Australia also offers programs on campus and at provider partners around the world. Head to our Course Search tool to start exploring and enquiring today.

Every person who works in Australia is entitled to minimum wages. These are the minimum amounts that an employer can legally pay employees. The National Minimum Wage and minimum pay rates under ‘awards’ are reviewed each year. 2025 Award wage increases Minium wage amounts are worked out based on the type of work you do. Different jobs have different sets of rules called ‘awards’ that explain how much workers should be paid and their work conditions. Awards cover more than 100 different industries and occupations. This means that award wages (minimum pay rates) apply to most jobs in Australia. These are reviewed each year by the Australian Government’s Fair Work Commission. The Commission has announced that minimum award wages will increase by 3.5% on 1 July 2025. Knowing your award and pay entitlements will help you ensure that you are receiving the correct wage. If you’re not sure which award applies to you, use Find my award. National Minimum Wage increase If your job is not covered by an ‘award’ or a registered agreement, the National Minimum Wage applies. This makes sure that every worker in Australia is paid at least a set minimum amount per hour. This amount is also reviewed every year. This year, the Australian Government’s Fair Work Commission has announced an increase in the national minimum wage. From 1 July 2025, the National Minimum Wage will increase by 3.5%. The new National Minimum Wage will be $24.95 per hour. The new National Minimum Wage will apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2025. This means if your weekly pay period starts on Wednesday, the new rates will apply from Wednesday 2 July 2025. Work rights and protections As an international student, you are protected by Australia's workplace laws. If you are paid less than the minimum wage, you will not be in trouble if you inform the Fair Work Ombudsmen. Please visit the Study Australia Work in Australia pages for student and graduate work information, and links to a wide range of translated resources on work rights and protections.

The Department of Home Affairs is enhancing user security by introducing Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) for ImmiAccount. From 18 June 2025, new and existing users will be required to set up MFA when creating or logging in to ImmiAccount. Once MFA is enabled, it will be required at each login or to make account changes. Users will be able to reset their own authentication method in ImmiAccount. To prepare for MFA for ImmiAccount you can: • install an authenticator app such as Google or Microsoft on your mobile device or personal computer • verify your email address if you haven’t logged in to your ImmiAccount in the last 6 months. ImmiAccount is the primary online gateway for accessing Australia’s visa and immigration services. MFA provides an additional layer of security beyond your password and aligns with Australian Government cyber security standards. For more information see Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) for ImmiAccount. From 18 June 2025, step-by-step instructions on how to set up MFA will be in ImmiAccount.

People selected in the January and February Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) ballots need to lodge their visa applications soon. The PEV offers the chance to live and work in Australia permanently. PEV holders can access the same benefits as all permanent visa holders to help raise a family. This includes access to public schools, Medicare and subsidised child care. Countries that held PEV ballot selections in January and February 2025: • Fiji • Nauru, • Papua New Guinea • Solomon Islands • Timor Leste • Tonga • Tuvalu • Vanuatu To be eligible for a PEV, we will first randomly select you in a ballot and then invite you to apply. Getting selected in the PEV ballot does not mean you have a visa to enter Australia. You still need to apply for a PEV by the 120 day deadline in your Notification of Selection letter. If we invite you to apply for the PEV you must either use the link to apply in your Notification of Selection letter, or through your ImmiAccount. To submit an application as an invitee: • complete the application form in ImmiAccount • attach a copy of your passport and the passports or identification documents for any eligible family members you are including in your application • ensure that you include spouses and dependent children at submission stage as you cannot add them later. You can provide other required documents, such as evidence of employment, after you have lodged your application and completed character and health checks. The sooner you send all of the required documents, the faster we can process the visa application. For more information about finding a job in Australia and support services on arrival, visit Pacific Engagement Support Service

Online services are now available to support Parent visa applicants who lodge a paper-based application. While applicants must still apply using a paper form, they can now import their application into ImmiAccount once we have acknowledged we have received it. Importing an application into ImmiAccount gives applicants access to a range of online services that make it easier to manage their application. These services help applicants save time and include the ability to: • upload supporting documents • view messages from us • update personal details • view the application’s status. The services are available for all new and existing applications, except for Parent (subclass 103) visa applications lodged before November 2018. A step-by-step guide to importing paper applications into ImmiAccount is available on the Apply and manage your application page.

From 1 July 2025, skilled visa income thresholds will be increased by 4.6%. This is in line with changes to the annual Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE). This delivers on the commitment outlined in the Migration Strategy, as recommended by the Migration Review. 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 undercut Australian workers. From 1 July 2025, indexation changes will be as follows: The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) will increase from AUD73,150 to AUD76,515. This will impact nomination applications for the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) and the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186). The Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) will increase from AUD135,000 to AUD141,210. This will impact nomination applications for the Specialist Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482). The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) used for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) and the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) (subclass 187) will increase from AUD73,150 to AUD76,515. This is in line with the CSIT and subject to approval of relevant legislation. New nomination applications from 1 July 2025 must meet the new relevant income threshold or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher. This change will not apply to existing visa holders and nominations lodged before 1 July 2025.

On 19 March 2025, a new Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) for Northern Territory comes into effect. The DAMA is the third DAMA established for the territory and will be in effect until 30 June 2030. It enables employers facing workforce shortages to access an additional 1,500 overseas workers annually across a broad range of occupations that are in critical shortage in the territory. For more information, see: Designated Area Migration Agreement.

We will be doing systems maintenance on some of our online systems between 8:30pm (AEDT) Friday 21 March 2025 and 12:00pm (AEDT) Saturday 22 March 2025. While we are making these changes, the following online services may not be available: • ImmiAccount • eLodgement (online visa and citizenship applications) • Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) • LEGENDcom • Australian Trusted Trader • Employment Suitability Clearances • Detention Visitor Application • APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) • Humanitarian Entrants Management System (HEMS) • Adult Migrant English Program Reporting and Management System (ARMS) • Education Provider Report (eBIT) • Visa Pricing Estimator • MSI Register • Australian Migration Status (AMS) Training Portal • Online Payment Portal If you receive a 'Service Temporarily Unavailable' error message during this time, please try again after the outage period. If your current visa is due to expire on 21 March 2025 and you intend to stay in Australia, ensure that you lodge your next visa application before 8:30pm on Friday 21 March 2025. We apologise for any inconvenience.

In a significant addition to Australia’s wide range of industry-aligned qualifications, Australia will soon offer a new Vocational Degree as part of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). What is a Vocational Degree? This new qualification will offer advanced skills and specialised technical knowledge. It will be at the same education (AQF) level as a traditional Bachelor degree but will offer more ‘applied’ or practical learning. The Vocational Degree will include a range of training delivery modes, including apprenticeships. This will suit students who prefer hands-on learning experiences. Why was the Vocational Degree introduced? The Australian Government's 2023 "Jobs and Opportunities: Working Future" White Paper, outlines the need for higher-level tertiary skills qualifications to meet industry skills needs. Who is developing the courses? Public Technical and Further Education (TAFE) Centres of Excellence, and the Australian Government’s Jobs and Skills Councils, have already begun developing Vocational Degree curricula in response to industry needs. Why should I consider a Vocational Degree? For international students, the Vocational Degree will offer a new pathway for gaining industry-relevant skills and knowledge. It will also enhance graduate employability in the Australian and global job market.