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Migration Intelligence · Knowledge Cluster

Migration News

The changes moving the system right now

Policy changes, fee increases and rule revisions across the Australian migration system — analysed by registered agents.

31 guidesReviewed by MARN 1069570Updated for 2026
Migration NewsOct 2026Start here

Victoria 190 Nomination 2026–27: Eligibility, VPT and Fees

Yes, Victoria opened subclass 190 ROIs on 26 October 2026 with 900 places. ROIs now cost $60 (plus GST in Australia), and subclass 491 is not open yet.

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Migration NewsOct 2026

Partner Visa Rules in Australia: How 820 and 801 Work

See how the onshore 820 to 801 Partner visa works, what it costs, what your sponsor must do, and how applications are prioritised under Direction 117.

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Migration NewsOct 2026

Australian Student Visa Rejections and What Happens Next

If your Australian Subclass 500 Student visa is refused, your next steps depend on the grounds, whether you lodged onshore or offshore, and the section 48 bar.

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Migration NewsOct 2026

482 vs 186 Visa: Temporary Work or Permanent Residence

The 482 is a temporary employer-tied work visa; the 186 grants permanent residence on grant.

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Migration NewsOct 2026

491 Visa Application Charge and Dependant Fees Explained

The base 491 Visa Application Charge for the main applicant is $6,140 in the standard category.

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Migration NewsOct 2026

417 vs 462: Which Working Holiday Visa Fits Your Situation

It is a temporary visa that permits you to travel to, enter and remain in Australia until 12 months after the date of your first entry.

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Migration NewsOct 2026

Proving Financial Capacity for a Subclass 500 Student Visa

Find out how much money a Subclass 500 applicant must show in 2026, what the funds must cover, accepted evidence, and how shortfalls affect your visa.

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Migration NewsOct 2026

Changing Your Course While Your Student Visa Is Pending

The regulation is explicit that all of these must be satisfied at the time a decision is made on the application.

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Migration NewsOct 2026

Student Visa Refused in Australia: Reasons and Next Steps

Student visa refused in Australia? Learn why Subclass 500 applications fail, how to read your notice, work out your review deadline and decide your next step.

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Migration NewsOct 2026

How MD121 Prioritises Skills in Demand Visa Applications

MD121 sets the order in which Subclass 482 Skills in Demand and legacy Temporary Skill Shortage applications are processed from 19 September 2026.

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Migration NewsOct 2026

Further Subclass 500 Visa: Onshore Rules and Exceptions

From 2026, can you lodge a Subclass 500 further visa application onshore?

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Migration NewsOct 2026

Applying Onshore for a Further Subclass 500 Visa in 2026

Find out whether you can apply onshore for a further Subclass 500 visa in 2026, which exceptions apply, and how to meet further student visa eligibility rules.

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Migration NewsOct 2026

Can 485 Holders Apply Onshore for a Student Visa?

Can a 485 visa holder apply for an Australian student visa in 2026? Learn why most must lodge offshore, how the 2 October rules work and what to do next.

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Migration NewsOct 2026

Burke's 2026 Visa Changes: Students, Partners and Parents

It is written to help you decide whether your own plans still work and what, if anything, you need to do.

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Migration NewsOct 2026

Subclass 482 to 186 TRT Pathway: Requirements and Rules

Moving from a 482 to a 186 TRT visa? See the 2-year employment rule, under-45 age exemptions, English and salary thresholds so you can lodge with confidence.

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Migration NewsOct 2026

Can a 482 Holder Apply for a Student Visa Onshore in 2026?

If the rules prevent you applying in Australia, you must be outside Australia when you lodge and also outside Australia when the visa is granted.

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Migration NewsOct 2026

Can You Apply for a Student Visa Onshore in 2026?

From 2 October 2026 most people in Australia cannot lodge a Student visa onshore; learn who can, the limited exemptions, and the risk of lodging incorrectly.

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Migration NewsOct 2026

How to Score 65 Points for Subclasses 189, 190 and 491

The pass mark for subclasses 189, 190 and 491 is 65 points, set by instrument LIN 19/210, and it is the minimum to lodge, not a secured invitation.

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Migration NewsOct 2026

189, 190 and 491 Visa Costs for 2026

From 1 July 2026 the 189 visa fee is $6,135, plus $3,070 per adult, $1,540 per child and $4,885 VAC2 for adults without functional English.

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Migration NewsSept 2026

Which Skilled Visa Should You Choose: 189, 190 or 491

This guide compares Subclass 189, 190 and 491 skilled visas using the legislated points test, pass mark and nomination rules so you can decide which to pursue.

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Migration NewsSept 2026

Why 65 Points Gets You Into the Pool, Not an Invitation

The Subclass 189, 190 and 491 pass mark is 65 points under LIN 19/210, but clearing it only enters the SkillSelect pool, not an invitation.

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Migration NewsSept 2026

Subclass 190 Visa Requirements: From Eligibility to Grant

Subclass 190 requires both a Schedule 6D points score of at least 65 and an unwithdrawn state or territory nomination before an invitation can be issued.

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Migration NewsSept 2026

Adelaide City and Regional SA DAMAs Extended to 2027

The current terms and conditions of both DAMAs remain unchanged since the last variation in June 2026.

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Migration NewsOct 2026

Canberra Matrix Invitation Round: Latest Scores, Results and ACT Nomination Guide

The ACT’s 12 October 2026 Canberra Matrix round issued 261 subclass 190 invitations across four groups and none for 491. Minimum scores by occupation, eligibility for Canberra residents and overseas applicants, fees and deadlines.

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Migration NewsOct 2026

South Australia’s 2026–27 Skilled Migration Update: Who Can Apply Now, and How

South Australia opened Registrations of Interest on 22 October 2026 for onshore workers whose visas expire by 31 January 2027, and invites offshore candidates directly from SkillSelect. Streams, priority sectors, fees and next steps.

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Migration NewsOct 2026

Australian Visa Biometrics for Applicants in India: What Changed on 26 October 2026

From 26 October 2026, Australian visa applicants in India may be required to give biometrics. Who is affected, how the Department tells you, ABCC appointments versus the Australian Immi App, what to bring, and how your data is used.

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Migration NewsSep 2026

Nine Million Files: The ATO’s Visa Data-Matching Program, Renewed to 2029

On 21 September 2026 the Commissioner of Taxation gazetted a renewed visa data-matching program. Home Affairs will hand the ATO eleven categories of visa data on roughly nine million people a year — including sponsors and migration agents — through to 2028–29. What is collected, what it is for, and what it does not mean.

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Migration NewsSep 2026

Australia's 2026 Migration Overhaul: What the New Rules Mean for Students, Visitors and Families

Student dependants restricted, No Further Stay extended to visitor visas, Working Holiday places balloted and net overseas migration wound back. What was announced — and what is already binding on you.

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Migration NewsMar 2026

Australia Migration Overhaul 2026: New Rules, Higher Costs, Skills Revolution

The biggest changes to Australia's migration system in years are taking effect in 2026. Here's everything applicants need to know about higher fees, new rules and the skills revolution.

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Migration NewsNov 2025

The AAT Is Gone — What the New Administrative Review Tribunal Means for Visa Applicants

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal has been replaced by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). Here's what changed and what it means for visa refusals.

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Migration NewsApr 2026

Visa Hopping Ban 2026 — What It Means and Who Is Affected

New restrictions on visa-to-visa bridging arrangements are affecting thousands of applicants. Understand the changes and how to protect your status.

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People also ask about Migration News

How often does Australian migration policy change?

Frequently. Fees, occupation lists, points settings and visa conditions are reviewed regularly. We actively monitor these changes so your strategy stays current.

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