The Australian Government has determined South Australia’s allocation for the 2025-26 General Skilled Migration program. In total, including interim allocations, this comprises: 1350 nomination places for subclass 190 900 nomination places for subclass 491. Applications are now open for a Registration of Interest (ROI) from people living and working in South Australia. Offshore applicants are not required to submit an ROI, as they will be invited directly from their Expression of Interest (EOI) lodged in Skill Select. Before applying for an ROI, please ensure you have read the requirements for all relevant streams. For information on how to submit an application, view the how to apply page. DAMA Update. The Department of Home Affairs have recently made changes for the DAMA Variations. SBM are only able to support one variation in each year of a labour agreement. SBM will not accept any variation requests in the first six months after a new agreement is executed. You should plan ahead for your business needs. Thank you for your continued interest in South Australia’s migration programs. POSTED MORE NEWS

We will be doing systems maintenance from 8:30 pm (AEDT) Friday 28 November 2025 to 12 noon (AEDT) Saturday 29 November 2025. During this time, some of the following online services may be unavailable: • 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' message during this time, please try again after the outage. If your current visa is due to expire on 28 November 2025 and you intend to stay in Australia, you must lodge your application before 8:30 pm (AEDT) Friday 28 November. We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

Business closure over Christmas and New Year period Mon, 24/11/2025 - 07:42 The Migration Services office will be closed from Thursday 25 December 2025 — reopening at 8.30am (Western Standard Time) on Friday 2 January 2026. No assessment outcomes will be sent during this time. Email enquiries will be responded to as soon as possible once Migration Services re-opens.

Despite recent reforms, exploitation of migrant workers remains a serious issue in Australia, experts say.

Another initiative under the Australian Cyber Security Strategy 2023-2030 is set to be delivered. The Australian Computer Society (ACS) will receive an Australian Government grant of $1.9 million under the Growing and Professionalising Cyber Security Industry Program. In a consortium partnership with the Australian Information Security Association (AISA), the Australian Cyber Collaboration Centre (Aus3C) and the Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN), ACS will co-design and pilot a Cyber Security Professionalisation Scheme. This Scheme will provide clear career, skills and education pathways for workers in the cyber workforce and those seeking to enter it. The Scheme will also deliver guidance for employers and employees regarding skills expectations for accredited professionals. Through extensive consultation with Australia’s cyber industry, the Growing and Professionalising Cyber Security Industry Pilot Program aims to create a voluntary national professionalisation scheme. The Scheme will give employers confidence in workforce capability and provide workers with recognition that their skills and experience are suitable. This will support a stronger and thriving cyber ecosystem. Hamish Hansford, Head of National Security, Department of Home Affairs said:

The Australian Government uses a visa processing priortisation system. This system works out how quickly Student visa applications are processed for each Australian education provider, based on the number of student places filled. During 2025, Australia's ‘National Planning Level’ (NPL) for international student places was supported by a Government Ministerial Direction called MD111. On 14 November 2025, a new Ministerial Direction 115 (MD115) replaced the old one for 2026. What this means for you In 2026, the National Planning Level (NPL) will be 295,000. This includes an additional 25,000 new international student places compared to 2025. For 2026, the Student visa application process and Student visa requirements remain the same. Who does this effect? Just like before, the 2026 NPL system only applies to offshore Student visa applications (lodged outside of Australia). If you applied for an offshore Student visa prior to 14 November 2025 your application will continue to be prioritized under MD111 settings. If you applied for an offshore Student visa on or after 14 November 2025, your application will be processed under MD115. Make sure your visa application is complete To help reduce processing times and to get you ready for travel, lodge your Student visa application as early as possible. The process will be smoother if you make sure your application is complete. This means including all requested information at time of lodgement. Visa processing takes longer if applications have incorrect information or when documents are missing. Your visa may even be refused. Find out more here. And remember... your visa application will need to meet all other requirements to be approved.

The UK government has called the proposed changes the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in modern times.

Are you a skilled migrant looking to make your mark in the South Australian job market? Whether you're in engineering, construction, ICT, healthcare, or any other field, this comprehensive training program is designed to help you confidently navigate the local job scene and land your next role. Join us for a half day of practical workshops led by experienced career coaches, where you’ll gain essential skills to boost your job search. Learn how to tailor your resume to Australian standards, master the art of behavioural interviews, and understand the key cultural differences that will help you thrive in your new workplace. Event details: Date: Monday, 24 November 2025 Time: 9:00am – 12:30pm with morning tea provided Location: SABC, Level 1, 136 Greenhill Road, Unley Cost: Free Register now POSTED MORE NEWS

Effective from 29 November 2025, this legislative instrument makes technical amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994 to ensure alignment and consistency in the operation of the new Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) visa, which replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa. Key provisions include: Extending the Minister’s power under paragraph 116(1)(g) of the Migration Act 1958 to cancel a Skills in Demand visa where sponsorship obligations are breached. Updating the definitions of primary and secondary sponsored persons to include Skills in Demand visa holders under labour agreements. Clarifying the circumstances in which an employer sponsor’s obligations in relation to Skills in Demand visa holders and their dependants will cease. Ensuring that refusals of Skills in Demand visa applications made outside Australia are recognised as reviewable migration decisions under subsection 338(9) of the Migration Act. Amending the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa - Temporary Residence Transition stream to require that the requisite period of qualifying employment be undertaken with an approved work sponsor. These amendments are largely technical in nature and are designed to support the integrity, clarity, and consistency of Australia’s skilled migration program. A Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights confirms that the amendments are consistent with Australia’s international obligations and that any limitations are reasonable, necessary, and proportionate to the objectives of maintaining a well-managed skilled migration framework. Commencement: 29 November 2025 Legislative basis: Migration Act 1958 Migration-Amendment-Skilled-visa-reform-Technical-measures-Regulations-2025.pdf and Migration-Amendment-Skilled-Visa-Reform-technical-measures-Regulations-2025----explanatory-statement.pdf

The webinar is open to employers, migration agents, lawyers and potential applicants and covers the skills assessment process, criteria and fees for occupations in regional Australia under the DAMA program. VETASSESS now offers skills assessments for 900+ DAMA occupations and this webinar will help you understand DAMA application trends including case studies and get your questions answered in a live Q&A session. Date: Thursday, 12 February 2026 Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) Cost: AUD$70 Find out more and register here

Dr Jill Slay AM has been appointed to the position of Independent Reviewer of the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (SOCI Act), Australia’s primary legislation for protecting critical infrastructure. Section 60A of the SOCI Act requires an Independent Review to be conducted into the operation of the Act, in its current form following prior legislative reforms, considering operational needs as well as the longer term strategic purpose of the Act. The purpose of the Independent Review is to assess whether the SOCI Act is: • operating as intended and achieving its intended objectives • is fit for purpose and functioning appropriately • if there are any unintended consequences from the operation of the Act; and to identify any gaps or amendments required to the Act. This important piece of work will provide a strong evidence base to inform future legislative reform and enhance the protection of critical infrastructure in Australia. Dr Slay brings a wealth of experience to the role and has worked with Commonwealth and state and territory governments, industry and academia. Her current work at the University of South Australia focusses on the context of satellite cybersecurity and resilience and she is known for her research into digital forensics, cyber intelligence and cyberwarfare. Dr Slay is a member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service through contributions in the areas of forensic computer science, security, protection of infrastructure and cyber-terrorism. The Department would like to welcome Dr Slay to the position of Independent Reviewer of the SOCI Act and looks forward to her insights and recommendations following the review process. To stay up to date with the latest news and advice, follow CISC on LinkedIn.

Immigration Status Resolution officers are hosting a special information and support event in Mildura for people with expired visas or Bridging visa E’s. The free event will share practical guidance to help individuals: • understand their visa options • find pathways to regain a lawful visa status • avoid the serious consequences of staying in Australia without a valid visa. Our Status Resolution team will be available to explain next steps, including how to: • check visa status through VEVO • apply for a new Bridging visa E if eligible • access support to depart Australia. Support for people living unlawfully If you are currently in Australia without a valid visa, it’s important to act quickly. Australian Border Force can detain you or remove you from Australia if you stay in the country unlawfully. Attending the Mildura event or booking an appointment with the department’s Immigration Status Resolution service can help you get back on track and ensure you resolve you situation lawfully. We know people may be unsure of what to do when their visa expires. This event is about giving you the information, support and pathways to make the right decisions. Event details Where: Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council Inc (SMECC), 107-111 Twelfth St, Mildura VIC 3500 When: Tuesday, 11 November from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm AEDT Who should attend: Anyone with a Bridging Visa E or expired visa Act now To check your visa status or learn more about your obligations, visit VEVO. If you can’t attend the event, you can request a confidential appointment with the Immigration Status Resolution service online. Don’t delay — your future in Australia could depend on it.