From 2 April 2025, the Department of Home Affairs has introduced a new online feature that allows certain Parent visa applicants to import their paper applications into ImmiAccount. While parent visa applications still need to be lodged using paper forms, applicants now have access to additional digital functionality for easier tracking and communication. The new import function in ImmiAccount gives Parent visa applicants easier access to their applications and enhances communication with the Department of Home Affairs. It’s available for both new and existing applications, except for some older Subclass 103 cases which are lodged before November 2018. Once imported, applicants can manage updates, add documents, and view important updates online—streamlining the process significantly. Key Benefits: Step-by-Step Guide: How to Import Your Application Click here- Parent visa-Paper import Functionality (Fact Sheet)
From 1 May 2025, CPA Australia has revised product names for skills assessments and implemented a new fee structure based on applicant location — Onshore, Offshore, or Singapore. Several combined services and appeal options have also been discontinued. Agents must now use updated product names and refer to the new pricing when lodging applications. Product Name Changes Previous Product Name New Product Name (from 1 May 2025) Skills assessment application Qualification assessment Fast Track skills assessment application Fast Track – Qualification assessment Skills assessment and skilled employment assessment application Combined assessment – Qualification and skilled employment Skills assessment (Additional ANZSCO code) Qualification assessment – Additional ANZSCO Fast Track skills assessment (Additional ANZSCO code) Fast Track – Qualification assessment Additional ANZSCO Skilled employment assessment Skilled employment assessment Skills assessment and skilled employment assessment (Additional ANZSCO) Combined assessment – Qualification and skilled employment – Additional ANZSCO Skills assessment update Qualification assessment – Update Skilled employment assessment update Skilled employment assessment – Update Skills assessment update and skilled employment assessment No longer offered Skills assessment appeal Review Skilled employment assessment appeal No longer offered Skills assessment appeal and skilled employment assessment No longer offered /Administration fee (withdrawal or reissue) Administration fee Updated Fees by Applicant Location (AUD) Service Onshore Offshore Singapore Qualification assessment $565 $514 $560 Fast Track – Qualification assessment $675 $614 $669 Combined assessment – Qualification and skilled employment $620 $564 $615 Qualification assessment – Additional ANZSCO $260 $236 $257 Fast Track – Qualification assessment Additional ANZSCO $310 $282 $307 Skilled employment assessment $260 $236 $257 Combined assessment – Additional ANZSCO $350 $318 $347 Qualification assessment – Update $185 $168 $183 Skilled employment assessment – Update $185 $168 $183 Review (appeal) $185 $168 $183 Administration fee $85 $77 $84 Important Points to Remember Click here- CPA Australia official Website
From March 2025, NT DAMA III opens new doors for employers and overseas workers — with higher nomination limits and expanded benefits across key visa programs. On 19 March 2025, the Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement (NT DAMA III) officially came into effect, representing a major step forward in expanding skilled migration opportunities for both overseas workers and NT employers. Jointly launched by the Northern Territory and Australian Governments, the new agreement raises the annual nomination cap to 1,500 (up from 625) and broadens access to 325 occupations across ANZSCO skill levels 1–5. Eligible visa streams under NT DAMA III include:• Subclass 482 – Skills in Demand (valid for 4 years)• Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (valid for 5 years)• Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (permanent residency) Key Updates: NT DAMA III is a powerful opportunity for regional employers and skilled migrants — but agents need to act strategically and stay informed. Click here- NT DAMA website
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government has the flexibility to address skills shortages and labour market needs in the Territory through the state/territory nominated stream of the Australian Migration Program. The Australian Government allocates the ACT a fixed number of nomination places each financial year. The interested persons can apply for ACT nomination by completing score-based ‘Canberra Matrix’ where points can be claimed against specific criteria including skilled employment, English proficiency, formal qualifications, length of ACT residence / study, investment activity and close family ties, etc. Canberra has a fixed number of nomination places available each month (pro-rata against the annual allocation). Invitation Round: 21 May 2024 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 a particular occupation, the higher the rank of the Matrix score invited. Matrix nominating Small Business Owners: 10 invitations Matrix nominating 457 visa / 482 visa holders: 10 invitations Matrix nominating Critical Skill occupations: 164 invitations Overseas Applicants Matrix nominating Critical Skill occupations: 110 invitations 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. The minimum ranking score is not a guarantee but rather an indication that an invitation was issued. Invitations were not issued if the applicants have an active application in the system or the applicants have previously received ACT nomination.
Registration of Interest (ROI) applications for South Australia’s skilled migration for onshore applicants have closed for the 2023-2024 program year. The registration of interest applications have been closed for onshore applicants only which means that the offshore applicants can continue to submit a SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) for consideration and will receive a direct invitation to apply for South Australian state nomination, if successful. For the nomination allocation of 2,300 places in this financial year (2023-24), South Australia received more than 12,000 ROIs which points at the competitiveness of the process. All ROIs received will be processed by 30 June 2024 and in case no invitation is received to apply for state nomination this program year, the applicants can submit another ROI in 2024-25 program year.
The Department has announced that the TSMIT will increase from $70,000 to $73,150 effective from 1 July 2024 to ensure a better targeted skilled migration system. In July 2023, the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) was increased from $53,900 to $70,000. It was the first increase to the TSMIT since 2013 and it was set around where the TSMIT would have been if it had been indexed to average weekly ordinary time earnings growth over the last 10 years at that time. Now in July 2024, the temporary income threshold will be set at $73,150. Therefore, from 1 July 2024, the annual market salary rate for the nominated occupation and the guaranteed annual earnings the nominator will pay to the worker must be at least $73,150. New nomination applications will be required to meet this threshold or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher. The TSMIT applies to a number of skilled visas, including the Temporary Skill shortage (subclass 482), Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494), Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) visas.
The maximum age for Masters (research) and PhD graduates applying for the SC 485 visa will remain at 50 years. Following representations from the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) on behalf of its members, the Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that this age limit will be maintained beyond the changes coming into effect on 1 July 2024. Consequently, masters (research) and doctoral degree (PhD) graduates can continue to apply for the SC 485 visa in the Post-Higher Education Work stream without concern about a reduction in the age limit.
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government has the flexibility to address skills shortages and labour market needs in the Territory through the state/territory nominated stream of the Australian Migration Program. The Australian Government allocates the ACT a fixed number of nomination places each financial year. The interested persons can apply for ACT nomination by completing score-based ‘Canberra Matrix’ where points can be claimed against specific criteria including skilled employment, English proficiency, formal qualifications, length of ACT residence / study, investment activity and close family ties, etc. Canberra has a fixed number of nomination places available each month (pro-rata against the annual allocation). Invitation Round: 5 April 2024 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 a particular occupation, the higher the rank of the Matrix score invited. Matrix nominating Small Business Owners: 23 invitations Matrix nominating 457 visa / 482 visa holders: 27 invitations Matrix nominating Critical Skill occupations: 213 invitations Overseas Applicants Matrix nominating Critical Skill occupations: 122 invitations 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. The minimum ranking score is not a guarantee but rather an indication that an invitation was issued. Invitations were not issued if the applicants have an active application in the system or the applicants have previously received ACT nomination. The next Canberra Matrix invitation round will be held before 18 August 2023.
The Australian Government has announced change to Temporary Graduate visa to be effective from 1 July 2024 Graduate Work Stream The Graduate Work stream will be renamed as Post-Vocational Education Work stream. Applicants who have completed a degree level qualification or above will no longer be able to apply in this stream and must apply through the ‘Post-Higher Education Work’ stream. The maximum age for this stream will reduce from 50 to 35 years of age or under at time of application. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders will still be eligible if they are under 50 years of age. Eligible applicants will be granted this visa for a period of 18 months, except for Hong Kong or British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders, who will be granted a visa for a period of 5 years. Post-Study Work Stream The Post-Study Work stream will be renamed to Post-Higher Education Work stream and the applicants for this stream must hold an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification closely related to an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). The maximum age for this stream will reduce from 50 to 35 years of age or under at time of application. The ‘select degree’ 2-year extension will cease. Visa grant period will change to the following: Visa grant periods for Indian nationals, in accordance with the Australia India – Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), remain as: The Second Post-Study Work stream will be renamed the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream and the rest of the requirements for this stream will remain the same. The Replacement Stream which was used for students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions will cease on 1 July 2024.
Migration (LIN 19/198: Evidence of financial capacity—Subclass 500 Visa and Subclass 590 Visa) Amendment (LIN 24/042) Specification 2024 dated 2 May 2024 amends Migration (LIN 19/198: Evidence of financial capacity—Subclass 500 Visa and Subclass 590 Visa) Instrument 2019 to revise and increase the amount of funds required to be evidenced by an applicant seeking to satisfy the primary criteria for the grant of a Subclass 500 visa, secondary criteria for the grant of a Subclass 500 visa, or primary criteria for the grant of a Subclass 590 visa, if required to do so by the Minister. The revised amount of funds for the purpose of evidencing financial capacity by an applicant for a Subclass 500 or Subclass 590 visa reflect the current cost of living pressures these visa holders will be subject to once they arrive in Australia. Previously, these figures were adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index but the current figures are based on a new methodology, calculated as a proportion of the Australian National Minimum Wage. The National Minimum Wage is the minimum amount an employer must pay an employee. It is a reasonable approach to ensure that visa holders can support themselves at a standard comparable to the lowest paid Australian worker. The instrument increases the following annual living costs and expenses: The instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 9th May 2024. It is currently in force. To access the instrument, click here.