Goldfields employers continue to access the Goldfields DAMA until 31 December 2026 Fri, 03/07/2026 - 10:40 The Commonwealth Government has confirmed an extension of the Goldfields Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) to 31 December 2026, providing Goldfields employers with continued access to an important workforce solution where local recruitment efforts have been unsuccessful. Through the Goldfields DAMA, eligible employers may be able to: sponsor overseas workers to fill genuine workforce shortages where suitably qualified Australian workers are not available; access a broader range of occupations than those available through standard skilled migration programs; access concessions available under the Goldfields DAMA, subject to eligibility requirements; and support workforce attraction and retention in key industries across the Goldfields region. Employers seeking to access the Goldfields DAMA must first obtain endorsement from the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, the region's Designated Area Representative (DAR). Once endorsed, businesses can apply to the Australian Government for a DAMA labour agreement and sponsor eligible overseas workers. How to access the Goldfields DAMA Businesses operating in the Goldfields region can contact the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder for information about eligibility requirements and the endorsement process. Website: ckb.wa.gov.au/business-development/designated-area-migration-agreement (opens in a new tab) Phone: (08) 9021 9600 Email: DAMA@ckb.wa.gov.au (opens in a new tab) News Category WA DAMA

On 1 July 2026, the Department of Home Affairs increased the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) and the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) to $79,423. Some occupations under the South Australian Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) offer a 10 percent salary concession; this currently equates to $71,480.70. For more information, please visit the Department of Home Affairs website. From 1 July 2026, and any DAMA applications still in the pipeline submitted to Skilled and Business Migration before this date, must meet the relevant income threshold.

Goldfields DAMA extended Thu, 02/07/2026 - 11:26 The Commonwealth Government has confirmed the extension of the Goldfields DAMA through to 31 December 2026, ensuring continued support for employers in the region to access skilled and semi-skilled migrant workers. The agreement remains an important mechanism for addressing workforce shortages across the Goldfields, delivered in partnership with local governments, with the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder acting as the Designated Area Representative. This extension provides ongoing certainty for employers while broader statewide migration settings continue to support regional workforce needs. More information about the Goldfields, Kimberley, Pilbara, South West, and the WA DAMA can be found here (opens in a new tab) . News Category WA DAMA

The Australian Government has revised the Visa Application Charges (VACs) effective from 1 July 2026. The table below shows the updated visa application charges for selected Australian visa subclasses from 1 July 2026. Visa subclass: 820/801 Visa name: Partner Visa New Fee From 1 July 2026: AUD 11,710 Visa subclass: 500 Visa name: Student Visa (All Other Students) New Fee From 1 July 2026: AUD 2,500 Visa subclass: 485 Visa name: Temporary Graduate Visa – Post-Higher Education Work Stream New Fee From 1 July 2026: AUD 5,750 Visa subclass: 485 Visa name: Temporary Graduate Visa – Post-Vocational Education Work Stream New Fee From 1 July 2026: AUD 5,750 Visa subclass: 143 Visa name: Contributory Parent Visa New Fee From 1 July 2026: AUD 4,040 Visa subclass: 804 Visa name: Aged Parent Visa New Fee From 1 July 2026: AUD 6,600 Visa subclass: 864 Visa name: Contributory Aged Parent Visa New Fee From 1 July 2026: AUD 6,300 Visa subclass: 838 Visa name: Aged Dependent Relative Visa New Fee From 1 July 2026: AUD 6,600 Visa subclass: 600 Visa name: Visitor Visa New Fee From 1 July 2026: AUD 250 Visa subclass: BVB Visa name: Bridging Visa B New Fee From 1 July 2026: AUD 575 Visa subclass: 189, 190, 491 Visa name: Skilled Migration Visa New Fee From 1 July 2026: AUD 6,135 These changes apply only to visa applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026. Applicants, migration professionals, employers, and education providers should review the latest fee schedule before lodging an application.

There has been an important operational change to the way Registered Migration Agents can complete their annual CPD requirements online. From 1 July 2026, there is now a maximum of 6 online CPD points that can be completed within any continuous 24-hour period. 1 July 2026 maximum of 6 online CPD points that can be completed within any continuous 24-hour period This applies to all online CPD combined, including: all online CPD combined In practical terms, this means that completing your entire annual online CPD requirement (for example, a combination of webinars and online private study totalling 10 points in one continuous day) is no longer compliant. RMAs may not yet be aware of this change. ✔ How many CPD points you have already completed. ✔ Whether your mandatory Ethics and Code of Conduct requirements have been met. ✔ Whether you still require Category A points. ✔ Whether your proposed online learning schedule complies with the new 6-point maximum in any continuous 24-hour period. 6-point maximum in any continuous 24-hour period A little planning now may save unnecessary inconvenience later. - Category A online interactive workshop-based learning (webinars); and - Category B online private study (distance learning).

The Australian Government has introduced the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026, implementing a range of changes to citizenship fees, visa application charges and skilled migration income thresholds, effective 1 July 2026. Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026 1 July 2026 The amendments include: Citizenship application fees Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) $79,423 Visa Application Charges (VACs) 25% increase Student (Subclass 500) Student Guardian (Subclass 590) $2,000 to $2,500 These amendments give effect to the Government's 2026–27 Budget measures and are intended to support the sustainability of Australia's migration and citizenship programs while maintaining existing policy settings in key areas. Source: Home-Affairs-Legislation-Amendment-2026-Measures-No-1-Regulations-2026.pdf and Home-Affairs-Legislation-Amendment-2026-Measures-No-1-Regulations-2026-Explanatory-Statement.pdf - Citizenship application fees have been adjusted in line with CPI to reflect the cost of administering the Australian citizenship program, while concessional and nil-fee categories remain unchanged. - The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) has increased to $79,423 and will now be automatically indexed annually through the Migration Regulations, ensuring ongoing alignment with the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT). - Visa Application Charges (VACs)have increased across most visa subclasses, including: a 25% increase to the first instalment of the VAC for most visas; an increase in the base application charge for Student (Subclass 500) and Student Guardian (Subclass 590) visas from $2,000 to $2,500; continued concessional arrangements for eligible applicants from Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste; and ongoing CPI indexation for other visa application charges. - a 25% increase to the first instalment of the VAC for most visas; - an increase in the base application charge for Student (Subclass 500) and Student Guardian (Subclass 590) visas from $2,000 to $2,500; - continued concessional arrangements for eligible applicants from Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste; and - ongoing CPI indexation for other visa application charges. - a 25% increase to the first instalment of the VAC for most visas; - an increase in the base application charge for Student (Subclass 500) and Student Guardian (Subclass 590) visas from $2,000 to $2,500; - continued concessional arrangements for eligible applicants from Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste; and - ongoing CPI indexation for other visa application charges.

The Australian Government has introduced the Migration Amendment (Working Holiday Maker Age Criteria) Regulations 2026, which commence on 1 July 2026 and make technical amendments to the administration of the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program. Migration Amendment (Working Holiday Maker Age Criteria) Regulations 2026 1 July 2026 The amendments do not alter the existing age eligibility requirements for the Subclass 417 (Working Holiday) or Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visas. Rather, they relocate the age criteria from the visa grant provisions to the visa application provisions of the Migration Regulations. Subclass 417 (Working Holiday) Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) As a result, applicants must satisfy the relevant age requirements at the time of lodging a valid visa application. Applicants who do not meet the prescribed age criteria will no longer be able to lodge a valid application, rather than having their application refused after lodgement. This change provides greater certainty for applicants and avoids the payment of a visa application charge where the age requirements are not met. at the time of lodging a valid visa application The Explanatory Statement confirms that these amendments are technical in nature and do not introduce any substantive changes to the eligibility requirements of the Working Holiday Maker program. technical in nature Source: Migration-Amendment-Working-Holiday-Maker-Age-Criteria-Regulations-2026---The-Regs.pdf and Migration-Amendment-Working-Holiday-Maker-Age-Criteria-Regulations-2026 Explanatory.pdf

The Australian Government has introduced the Migration (Arrangements for Subclass 417 (Working Holiday) Visa) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/048), which commenced on 1 July 2026. The instrument repeals and replaces the previous 2022 arrangements to align with amendments made to the Migration Regulations 1994 concerning the administration of the Working Holiday visa program. Migration (Arrangements for Subclass 417 (Working Holiday) Visa) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/048) 1 July 2026 Migration Regulations 1994 The principal amendment increases the maximum age for Working Holiday visa applicants from 30 to 35 years for passport holders from Cyprus, Finland, Germany and the Republic of Korea, reflecting updated bilateral agreements between Australia and those partner countries. maximum age for Working Holiday visa applicants from 30 to 35 years Cyprus, Finland, Germany and the Republic of Korea The instrument also preserves the existing administrative framework for the Subclass 417 visa, including the approved application form, the manner and place of application, eligible passport requirements and country-specific age settings. The Explanatory Statement confirms that, apart from the revised age limits for the four affected countries, the amendments are technical and consequential in nature, supporting the broader changes to the Working Holiday Maker program that commenced on 1 July 2026. technical and consequential in nature 1 July 2026 Source: Migration-Arrangements-for-Sc417-WHV-Instrument-2026.pdf and Migration-Arrangements-for-Sc417-WHV-Instrument-2026---explanatory-statement.pdf

The Australian Government has introduced the Migration (Arrangements for Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) Visa) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/072), which commenced on 1 July 2026. The instrument repeals and replaces the previous 2021 instrument to align with amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994 relating to the administration of the Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visa program. Migration (Arrangements for Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) Visa) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/072) 1 July 2026 Migration Regulations 1994 The instrument preserves the existing administrative framework for the Subclass 462 visa, including the approved application forms, lodgement requirements, eligible passport-issuing countries, country-specific age limits, exemptions from government support requirements for certain applicants, and prescribed educational qualification requirements. The amendments are consequential to broader reforms to the Working Holiday Maker Program, with the age criterion for Subclass 462 applicants being relocated from the visa grant provisions to the visa application provisions of the Migration Regulations. The instrument does not introduce substantive changes to eligibility requirements but ensures the continued operation of the existing legislative framework. Working Holiday Maker Program Source: Migration-Arrangements-for-sc462-WHV-Instrument-2026.pdf and Migration-Arrangements-for-sc462-WHV-Instrument-2026---explanatory-statement.pdf

From 1 July 2026, skilled visa income thresholds will be increased by 3.8%. This is in line with changes to the annual Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE). 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 2026, indexation changes will be as follows: The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) will increase from AUD76,515 to AUD79,423. 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 AUD141,210 to AUD146,576. 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) will increase from AUD76,515 to AUD79,423. This will impact nomination applications for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) and the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) (subclass 187). From 1 July 2026, new nomination applications must meet the new relevant income threshold. This change will not apply to existing visa holders and nominations lodged before 1 July 2026.

From 1 July 2026, application fees in the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) will increase. The new fees include: These updated fees apply to applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026. Further information can be found on the Administrative Review Tribunal website. - Standard application: $1,195 - Small business taxation application: $641 - Certain taxation applications: $119 - Guidance and Appeals Panel applications: $1,195 - Concessional application fee: No change – remains $100 - Migration review application: $3,727Protection review application: $2293 A 50% fee reduction may be available in cases of financial hardship. - A 50% fee reduction may be available in cases of financial hardship. - A 50% fee reduction may be available in cases of financial hardship.

Migration Tasmania has now fully delivered the 2025-26 program. We have nominated our full allocation of 1,200 places for subclass 190 and 650 places for subclass 491. We have no more nomination places in which to nominate applicants. We will reopen the program as soon as we can once we receive our new nomination allocation from the Department of Home Affairs. Migration Tasmania will continue to assess applications for nomination. Any applications approved will be nominated after Tasmania receives its nomination allocation for the 2026-27 program year. Migration Tasmania will continue to use the HA EOI Not Confirmed status internally as a placeholder for applications that have been processed, but the outcome has not yet been provided. These outcomes will be communicated in the new program year. ROIs that are not invited to apply for nomination before the end of the program will continue to be held in the Application Gateway for six months and considered for an invitation to apply for nomination when the 2026-27 program opens. To be informed of the opening date of the program, you can sign up for our newsletter HERE . We will continue to update the program statistics in the 2026-27 program year after we open again.