Dear Members Please find attached a newsletter from the Department of Home Affairs regarding Partner visa processing. This newsletter provides key processing updates, reminders and clarifications relevant to Partner visa applicants and their representatives. For more information, please contact the Department via the Registered migration agent and legal practitioner enquiries and feedback form. Registered migration agent and legal practitioner enquiries and feedback Your attention and assistance will assist with reducing processing delays and ensure Partner visa applications are processed in a timely manner. Thank you for your assistance. Source: Partner-Processing-Newsletter---April-2026.docx.-.pdf

The Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Act 2026 has now been enacted, introducing targeted amendments to the Migration Act 1958 aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability in the employer sponsorship framework. A key development is the introduction of a new provision enabling the Department to publish information about approved work sponsors on its website. This may include: This represents a significant shift toward public transparency of sponsor activity, with potential reputational and compliance implications for businesses engaging in the migration program. public transparency of sponsor activity The Act is scheduled to commence on a date to be fixed by Proclamation, or automatically within six months of Royal Assent if not proclaimed earlier. Practical implications: Practical implications: This amendment reflects a broader policy direction toward enhanced oversight and deterrence of migrant exploitation within the migration framework. Source: Migration-Amendment-Combatting-Migrant-Exploitation-Act-2026.pdf - the name of the approved sponsor - ABN and associated details - the type of sponsorship approval - the number of nominations lodged - the occupations nominated - Increased scrutiny of sponsor behaviour and nomination patterns - Greater emphasis on compliance and record-keeping - Heightened importance of accurate and defensible sponsorship practices - Advisers should ensure clients are aware of the potential for public disclosure

ROIs invited to apply for nomination on 9/04/2026: Subclass 190 - 52 ROIs invited Subclass 491 - 26 ROIs invited The lowest scores invited: Subclass 190 - 251 (Green pass) Subclass 491 - 66 points (Orange-plus pass) Number of ROIs on hand (ROIs with a status of Submitted after the invitation round has taken place): Subclass 190 - 475 ROIs Subclass 491 - 404 ROIs Nomination places available: Subclass 190 - 383 places Subclass 491 - 327 places Nomination applications lodged but not yet decided: Subclass 190 - 305 applications Subclass 491 - 232 applications Invitations issued but application not yet lodged: Subclass 190 - 68 invitations Subclass 491 - 53 invitations Oldest nomination application lodged and not yet allocated to a case officer - 22/12/2025

ROIs invited to apply for nomination on 2/04/2026: Subclass 190 - 25 ROIs invited Subclass 491 - 25 ROIs invited The lowest scores invited: Subclass 190 - Gold pass only Subclass 491 - 108 points (Green pass) Number of ROIs on hand (ROIs with a status of Submitted after the invitation round has taken place): Subclass 190 - 479 ROIs Subclass 491 - 391 ROIs Nomination places available: Subclass 190 - 403 places Subclass 491 - 382 places Nomination applications lodged but not yet decided: Subclass 190 - 308 applications Subclass 491 - 228 applications Invitations issued but application not yet lodged: Subclass 190 - 38 invitations Subclass 491 - 41 invitations Oldest nomination application lodged and not yet allocated to a case officer - 21/12/2025

The Job Ready Program requires a minimum of 12 months participation in suitable full-time (or part time equivalent) employment. The program must be completed within 3 years. The Job Ready Program experiences variable levels of demand. This may impact how quickly we process different activities within the program. As at April 2026, our average processing times are as follows: Invitation for a Workplace Assessment Once you have applied for a Workplace Assessment, we will contact you within 6 weeks to confirm that you have been referred to a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). An RTO will contact you to schedule a Workplace Assessment within 2 weeks of our referral. If you are unable to attend your Workplace Assessment you must contact the RTO directly to cancel or reschedule before your appointment. The RTO will provide us with the outcome following your Workplace Assessment. We will contact you about your Workplace Assessment 11 weeks after the date of your Workplace Assessment. Once you have met your participation requirement in the program, we will invite you to the Job Ready Final Assessment. We may ask you to provide additional or missing information throughout your participation in the program. It can take up to 14 days to process this information from the date it is received. This information is a general guide only. Individual circumstances may vary. If you have any concerns about your visa, please contact the Department of Home Affairs at http://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/ For further information about the Job Ready Program, please continue to check the TRA website, the FAQs and Guidelines.

Skilled and Business Migration continues to invite clients across the four streams of the 2025-26 General Skilled Migration program. Below you will find the relevant data for the invitations issued in April 2026: Invitations in April 2026 2025-26 invitations issued (to date) ANZSCO Sub-major Group Subclass 190 Subclass 491 Total Subclass 190 Subclass 491 Total 13 Specialist Managers 27 8 35 89 32 121 14 Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers 0 8 8 0 26 26 22 Business, Human Resource and Marketing Professionals 3 20 23 30 88 118 23 Design, Engineering, Science and Transport Professionals 55 17 72 277 78 355 24 Education Professionals 25 3 28 105 19 124 25 Health Professionals 70 9 79 422 23 445 26 ICT Professionals 0 38 38 7 202 209 27 Legal, Social and Welfare Professionals 9 3 12 51 12 63 31 Engineering, ICT and Science Technicians 4 25 29 36 107 143 32 Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers 9 11 20 49 31 80 33 Construction Trades Workers 22 14 36 127 56 183 34 Electrotechnology and Telecommunications Trades Workers 20 6 26 96 14 110 35 Food Trades Workers 0 2 2 0 19 19 36 Skilled Animal, Agricultural and Horticultural Workers 0 0 0 0 2 2 41 Health and Welfare Support Workers 1 21 22 14 79 93 51 Office Managers and Program Administrators 0 15 15 9 31 40 Total 245 200 445 1312 819 2131 Skilled and Business Migration will continue to issue invitations monthly. The next invitation round will occur in early May 2026.

Travelling to Australia is simpler with the continued expansion of the Australian Immi App. Visa applicants from around the world now have greater access and convenience when applying for an Australian visa, thanks to the latest expansion of the Australian Immi App. From 24 March 2026, the Department of Home Affairs introduced the app in a further 13 countries, bringing the total to 47 countries under the Offshore Biometric Collection Program. New rollout countries: From 24 March, eligible applicants in the following countries will be able to use the Australian Immi App: Albania Bhutan Bosnia and Herzegovina Cambodia Eswatini Ethiopia Ghana Lesotho Nepal Somalia (third-country nationals) Sri Lanka Uganda Zimbabwe With the app now available in 47 countries, the Australian Government is delivering on its promise to make the visa process faster, simpler and more convenient. Using the Australian Immi App, eligible applicants can submit their facial biometrics and passport information directly from their smartphones. This removes the need to attend a biometric collection centre in many cases. To be eligible to use the app, clients must have previously provided their biometrics (facial image and fingerprints) to the Department and hold a valid passport. Since its launch on 26 September 2024 in the Pacific region, the Australian Immi App has progressively expanded and is now available in 47 countries. The implementation to date has shown high uptake and strong user satisfaction. Now, the program is entering its next expansion phase with rollout planned across new countries in Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, Mekong and South Asia regions. The Department of Home Affairs looks forward to further expanding the app’s reach throughout 2026, ensuring easier access to Australia’s visa system for more people, in more places. For full eligibility details, step-by-step guidance and technical requirements, visit Australian Immi App.

Tentative Invitation Round Schedule 2025-26 3rd round - In the week of 26 January 2026 4th round - in the week of 9 March 2026 Final round - In the week of 4 May 2026 Please note: The tentative invitation round schedule is subject to change based on operational requirements. Any updates or changes will be published on this page. Canberra Matrix Invitation Round: 12 March 2026 The ACT has a fixed number of nomination places available each month (pro-rata against the annual allocation). The highest ranked Matrix in each occupation were invited to apply for ACT nomination. The cut‑off for selection depended on the remaining monthly allocation, the date and time of Matrix submission, occupation cap and demand. The greater the demand for an occupation, the higher the rank of the Matrix score invited. The minimum ranking score is an indication only and not a guarantee that an invitation was issued. Invitations will not be issued if you have an active application in the system; or if you have previously received ACT nomination. Canberra Matrix submissions in occupations in critical sectors may be prioritised. Requests for ranking information Invitations are not guaranteed. We will not respond to requests for information on ranking or the likelihood of receiving an invitation. Matrix will not be prioritised or issued invitations based on personal circumstances. This includes, but is not limited to, visa expiry dates or a change in circumstances including critical birthdays. Matrix nominating Doctorate Streamlined Pathway 190 nominations: 23 invitations 491 nominations: 2 invitations Canberra residents Matrix nominating Small Business Owners 190 nominations: 12 invitations 190 minimum matrix score: 105 491 nominations: 11 invitations 491 minimum matrix score: 95 Matrix nominating 457 / 482 visa holders 190 nominations: 21 invitations 491 nominations: 9 invitations Matrix nominating Critical Skill Occupations 190 nominations: 123 invitations 491 nominations: 149 invitations Overseas applicants Matrix nominating Critical Skill Occupations: 190 nominations: 44 invitations 491 nominations: 101 invitations Download a copy of the Matrix invitation ranking 2025-2026 Allocation of ACT Nomination Places: Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa: 800 places Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa: 800 places Application Count @13 March 2026 Total approvals: 961 approvals 190 Nominations: 474 approvals 491 Nominations: 487 approvals Total refusals: 140 applications 190 Nominations: 68 refusals (12.5%) 491 Nominations: 72 refusals (12.9%) Approvals by residency status since the last invitation round ACT Resident: 860 approvals (89.6%) Overseas Resident: 101 approvals (10.5%) Remaining Allocation 2025-2026 Total allocation remaining: 639 nomination places 190 Nominations: 326 491 Nominations: 313

The Department of Home Affairs has published an updated occupation list legislative instrument on 28-03-2026. This instrument supersedes the previous version published on 14-12-2024 and introduces revisions to occupation name formatting. No occupations have been added, removed, or reclassified in this update. There are no amendments to visa–category associations. These changes may affect eligibility assessment and migration pathway planning where occupation name precision is required. Occupation Name Changes - ANZSCO 139999: specialist managers (nec) except: (a) ambassador; or (b) archbishop; or (c) bishop → specialist managers (nec) except: (a) ambassador; or (b) archbishop; or (c) bishop Migration agents and other stakeholders should review affected occupation profiles to ensure that eligibility assumptions remain accurate. Nomination and pathway strategies may require adjustment in accordance with the updated occupation name. It is essential to rely on the latest legislative instrument for all migration assessments. Previously issued guidance should be reviewed where applicable. Ongoing monitoring of legislative updates remains critical to maintain compliance with current migration policy.

The Department of Home Affairs has published an updated occupation list legislative instrument dated 28-03-2026. This instrument supersedes the previous list published on 07-11-2025 and reflects the latest amendments to the skilled occupation list. The current update includes a revision to the nomenclature of one occupation. No occupations have been added, removed, or reclassified, and there are no changes to visa–category associations. These amendments may affect eligibility assessment and migration pathway planning for the affected occupation. Occupation Name Changes - ANZSCO 313212: Telecommunications Field Engineer → Telecommunications Network Engineer Migration agents and other stakeholders are advised to review affected client profiles in light of this update. Eligibility assumptions should be reassessed where necessary, and nomination and pathway strategies may require adjustment to align with the updated occupation name. It is essential to rely on this latest legislative instrument for all assessments and advice. Previously issued guidance should be reviewed to ensure consistency with the current instrument. Ongoing monitoring of legislative updates remains critical to maintain compliance and accuracy in migration advice.

The March 2026 Evidence Level (EL) update for countries and education providers (based on student visa outcome data from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025) has taken place, effective for applications lodged on or after 27 March 2026. Department of Home Affairs systems have been updated to reflect March 2026 ELs. The Document Checklist Tool on the Department of Home Affairs’ website (homeaffairs.gov.au) also reflects ELs as per the March 2026 update. Document Checklist Tool For more information see: Evidence Levels for Education Program (homeaffairs.gov.au) Evidence Levels for Education Program

The Migration Legislation Amendment (Assessing Authorities) Instrument 2026 introduces updates to the specified assessing authority for the occupation of Surveyor (ANZSCO 232212), following the liquidation of the Geospatial Council of Australia (GCA). The Institution of Surveyors New South Wales Ltd (ISNSW) has been appointed as the new assessing authority, and the relevant legislative instruments have been amended to reflect this change. The amendments: The instrument also clarifies the relevant assessing authorities for the occupation “Information and Organisation Professionals NEC” (ANZSCO 224999), confirming the roles of ACS and VETASSESS in specified circumstances. This is a technical amendment designed to ensure continuity of skills assessment processes and fairness for affected applicants. - Apply to visa applications made on or after 8 October 2025, including those not yet finalised - Ensure that applicants are not disadvantaged by delays in updating the legislative instruments - Confirm that skills assessments issued by GCA prior to its liquidation remain valid and do not require reassessment