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.

South Australia’s two Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) have been extended for three months until 30 September 2026, while negotiations conclude for a new five-year statewide DAMA. The current terms and conditions of both DAMAs remain unchanged since the last variation in June 2025. Whilst a formal announcement has not been issued by the Department of Home Affairs, it is important to note that the TSMIT will change on 1 July 2026, please be aware of this when conducting Labour Market Testing for a position under the South Australian DAMA. Further announcements on the new five-year DAMA will be made once negotiations have concluded.

Migration Tasmania has now finished inviting ROIs and will recommence invitations once we have received our nomination allocation from the Department of Home Affairs. Number of ROIs on hand (ROIs with a status of Submitted): Subclass 190 - 562 ROIs Subclass 491 - 590 ROIs Nomination places available: Subclass 190 - 27 places Subclass 491 - 27 places Nomination applications lodged but not yet decided: Subclass 190 - 167 applications Subclass 491 - 43 applications Invitations issued but application not yet lodged: Subclass 190 - 8 invitations Subclass 491 - 15 invitations Oldest nomination application lodged and not yet allocated to a case officer - 07/04/2026

We are aware that some applicants attempting to pay for a skills assessment using credit cards issued by banks in certain countries are experiencing a declined payment error. This issue is a result of how our third-party payment provider is applying requirements under international sanctions frameworks (https://www.dfat.gov.au/international-relations/security/sanctions/sanctions-regimes/zimbabwe-sanctions-framework). We are working through a solution with key stakeholders so that legitimate payments can be resumed as soon as possible. This issue is currently impacting cards issued by banks in countries affected by the sanctions framework. Payment cards issued by banks in other countries continue to work as normal. Further updates on this matter will be posted on our website as more information becomes available.

189 Invitations issued on 4 June 2026 The table below shows the number of EOIs invited, and the tie break month and year, for the SkillSelect invitation round on 4 June 2026.   Visa subclass: Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) Total EOIs Invited: 10,000 Tie break date - month and year: 24/04/2026

From 1 July 2026, filing fees in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia will increase across a range of general federal law and migration matters. Key migration-related points: • Migration judicial review applications (Migration Act s476 / migration-related jurisdiction): – Full fee remains $4,015 – Reduced fee remains $2,005 (where approved) $4,015 $2,005 Other notable changes include increases to: • Commencing general federal law proceedings (individual): $835 → $870 • Interlocutory / procedural applications (individual): $485 → $505 • Hearing fees (individual): $995 → $1,035 per day • Subpoenas (individual): $95 → $100 • Mediation attendance: $665 → $690 $835 → $870 $485 → $505 $995 → $1,035 per day $95 → $100 $665 → $690 The Court notes that these fees are set by Federal Government Regulations, not by the Court itself. For migration practitioners and applicants, this is a timely reminder to factor increasing litigation costs into strategic advice and review pathways from 1 July 2026. Source: Increase-to-general-federal-law-and-migration-law-court-fees---1-July-2026.pdf

DAMA renewals and reassessments Applicants will be able to lodge renewal and reassessment applications under the Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) program directly through the portal. Reassessment applications may be lodged within 12 months of the date the initial application was completed, for the same occupation or a different occupation. Renewal application may be lodged for an application that received an initial suitable outcome, within three years of the date of completion, and for the same occupation. Electronic declarations The application declaration is moving from manual signatures to electronic signatures. Applicants and their authorised representatives will be able to sign the declaration online, within the application portal. Applicants with an incomplete application who have already downloaded and hand-signed the declaration can continue to upload the signed form and submit their application as usual. For more information, please contact us at migrate@vetassess.com.au .

ART application fees are increasing from 1 July 2026. 1 July 2026 Key changes include: • Review of a reviewable migration decision: $3,727 (up from current fees) • Review of a reviewable protection decision: $2,293 (generally payable only if unsuccessful) • Standard application fee: $1,195 • Concessional fee remains $100 in eligible circumstances $3,727 $2,293 $1,195 $100 Importantly, the new fee applies to any application fee paid on or after 1 July 2026 — even if the application was lodged before that date. new fee applies to any application fee paid on or after 1 July 2026 — even if the application was lodged before that date. Annual increases occur under the Administrative Review Tribunal Rules and Migration Regulations and are linked to CPI adjustments. For migration practitioners and applicants, timing of payment may now become an increasingly important strategic consideration. Source: Upcoming-application-fee-increase-----ART.pdf