Australian Immigration News & Updates 2026

The Department of Home Affairs has made significant progress in reducing visa processing backlogs throughout 2025. Most skilled and employer sponsored visas are now being processed faster than historical averages, though family visa streams remain lengthy.

The Australian Government has replaced the previous MLTSSL, STSOL, and ROL occupation lists with the new Skills in Demand list. This three-tier system — Specialist Skills, Core Skills, and Essential Skills pathways — is designed to be more responsive to labour market needs and is updated more frequently than the old lists.

• Three-tier system replaces the old occupation lists: Specialist Skills (high salary), Core Skills (mid-level demand), Essential Skills (critical lower-paid roles)
• The list is now updated quarterly based on Jobs and Skills Australia data, rather than annual reviews
• Points test now awards additional points for STEM qualifications and critical skills sectors
• Regional study and work experience receives increased weighting in the points test
• Invitation rounds increasingly target occupations in healthcare, engineering, IT, and trades

The government continues to push migration towards regional Australia with expanded incentives. These changes aim to address skills shortages in regional areas while easing population pressure on Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

• Extended post-study work rights (up to 2 additional years) for graduates who study and work in regional areas
• Priority processing for regional visa applications, including subclass 491 and 494
• Expanded regional area definitions — more suburbs now qualify as "regional" for visa purposes
• State and territory nomination programs increasingly favour regional applicants with lower points thresholds
• New regional employer sponsored pathway with reduced salary thresholds for designated regional areas
• Additional settlement support services for migrants in regional locations

Student visa requirements have tightened significantly as the government addresses concerns about visa integrity and the quality of international education providers. These changes affect new applications from mid-2025 onwards.

• Genuine Student (GS) test replaces the old Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement — focuses on study intentions rather than ties to home country
• Minimum English language requirement raised to IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) for most courses, IELTS 6.5 for masters and above
• Increased financial capacity requirements — applicants must demonstrate higher savings or income support
• Restrictions on changing education providers within the first 6 months of study
• Reduced post-study work visa duration for some qualification levels (bachelor degree holders now get 2 years, down from 4)
• Concurrent enrolment restrictions limit the ability to study multiple courses simultaneously

Partner visa processing has seen notable improvements, though it remains one of the most complex visa categories. Recent changes focus on reducing wait times and strengthening integrity measures.

• Average processing times for offshore partner visas (subclass 309/100) have decreased to 8-12 months
• Onshore partner visa (subclass 820/801) processing improved to 8-14 months on average
• Enhanced online lodgement system reduces paperwork and allows real-time application tracking
• Strengthened relationship evidence requirements — greater emphasis on financial interdependence and cohabitation evidence
• Expanded bridging visa work rights for onshore partner visa applicants while waiting for a decision
• New family violence provisions provide additional protections for vulnerable applicants

Employer sponsored visas have undergone significant reform to make it easier for Australian businesses to fill genuine skills gaps while ensuring fair pay and conditions for overseas workers.

• Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa now processed in 1-4 months on average — significantly faster than previous years
• New Temporary Skills Shortage income threshold (TSMIT) increased, ensuring sponsored workers receive competitive salaries
• Skills in Demand visa framework aligns employer sponsored pathways with the new occupation list system
• Streamlined pathway to permanent residency — eligible 482 holders can now apply for permanent residence after 2 years (down from 3 for some occupations)
• Labour market testing requirements updated — employers must demonstrate genuine attempts to hire locally
• Regional employer sponsored visas (subclass 494) receive priority processing and lower salary thresholds