Immigration blog
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Immigration Blog and Latest News

Our staff have the knowledge to deal with all immigration problems, no matter how complex. Keep abreast of immigration updates with our blog posts below.
What Happens After a 186 Nomination Refusal? Options, Timeframes and Next Steps
Immigration blog
186Administrative Review TribunalEmployer Sponsored

What Happens After a 186 Nomination Refusal? Options, Timeframes and Next Steps

If you are sponsoring, or being sponsored for, an Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (Subclass 186) visa, a refused nomination can feel like the end of the road. However, a nomination refusal does not necessarily mean your ENS pathway is over. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to: apply for merits review of the refusal at the Administrative Review…
Immigration blog
23 October, 2026
Employer Sanctions, Penalties and Enforcement
Immigration blog
Employer SponsoredImmigration

Employer Sanctions, Penalties and Enforcement

If your business sponsors overseas workers, the Australian Border Force (ABF) can bar you from sponsoring, cancel your sponsorship approval, issue infringement notices, or take you to court for civil penalties if you breach your sponsorship obligations. Sanctioned businesses are also named publicly on the ABF website. This article explains what this means for employers in practical terms: what can…
Immigration blog
23 October, 2026
The National Innovation Visa (Updated: 22 October 2026)
Immigration blog
858Global Talent IndependentInnovation

The National Innovation Visa (Updated: 22 October 2026)

On 14 May 2024, the Australian Government released the Federal Budget for the 2024/25 year, which included a raft of Immigration-related measures. Notably, it announced that a new National Innovation Visa (NIV) would be released in late-2024, to replace the Global Talent (Subclass 858) visa and the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP). On 6 December 2024, relevant legislation formally introduced…
Immigration blog
22 October, 2026
Student (Subclass 500) Visa Changes (Updated on 20 October 2026)
Immigration blog
ImmigrationStudent

Student (Subclass 500) Visa Changes (Updated on 20 October 2026)

From 2 October 2026, new migration laws have significantly changed who can apply for a Student (Subclass 500) visa in Australia, and who can be included in that application. In short, if you already hold a Student visa and want to apply for another one, you will now generally need to do so from outside Australia, and holders of many…
Immigration blog
20 October, 2026
Commencing 31 October 2026: How Ministerial Direction 123 will change the character assessment
Immigration blog
Character testImmigration

Commencing 31 October 2026: How Ministerial Direction 123 will change the character assessment

Ministerial Direction No. 123 (Direction 123) is the new set of ‘primary’ and ‘other’ considerations that decision-makers must take into account when deciding whether to refuse or cancel a visa on character grounds, or whether to revoke a mandatory cancellation. It was signed on 18 September 2026 by Minister Tony Burke, commences on 31 October 2026 and revokes Ministerial Direction…
Immigration blog
5 October, 2026
Australia’s Updated Skilled Visa Processing Priorities (September 2026)
Immigration blog
Immigration

Australia’s Updated Skilled Visa Processing Priorities (September 2026)

From 19 September 2026, Ministerial Directions No. 121 and No. 122 have replaced the skilled visa processing priorities previously set out in Ministerial Direction No. 119, which was introduced in July 2026. The Directions change only the order in which applications are considered and decided. They do not change who is eligible for a visa or which occupations sit on…
Immigration blog
28 September, 2026