The NSW Government has confirmed that Pathway 1 and Pathway 3 of the Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa reached capacity on the day they opened for the 2025/26 program year and subsequently closed to new applications. On 2 December 2025, the NSW Government announced that applications for Pathway 1 and Pathway 3 would open on 19 January 2026. Due to a high volume of applications lodged on the opening day, both pathways reached capacity and closed on the same day, having exceeded the NSW Government’s allocation for these streams for the 2025/26 program year. All applications that have already been submitted will be finalised, and there is no need to take further action.  However, applicants should be aware that processing times may extend beyond the NSW Government’s estimated six-week timeframe due to the significant number of applications received. Requests for expedited assessment will only be considered where an applicant has ten business days or less before one of the following occurs: For more information click here.

The Australian Government has introduced the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026, a comprehensive legislative measure designed to strengthen Australia’s response to antisemitism, hate-motivated conduct, and extremist activity. The Bill seeks to reform multiple Commonwealth laws, including: The reforms are designed to protect the Australian community by providing authorities with the tools to identify individuals and organizations engaged in promoting hate or extremist activities. They aim to prevent high-risk individuals from entering or remaining in Australia while ensuring that migration, citizenship, and criminal law provisions are aligned to address contemporary security threats effectively. Key Features of the Bill Character Test Updates (Section 501) The Bill introduces new grounds for failing the character test for visa applicants or residents, specifically targeting those involved in hate or extremist activities: Notable Changes: Temporary Safe Haven Visas (Section 500A) Clarifying Definitions (Section 5 & 5C) The Bill introduces clear definitions for key terms including: The meaning of “character concern” is updated to reflect potential threats from hate and extremist activity, ensuring consistency across visa decisions. 2. Permanent Exclusion Measures 3. Citizenship Act Amendments This aligns citizenship provisions with the new migration and character test measures. 4. Broader Legal Implications The Bill ensures that: By updating definitions and expanding the scope of “character concern,” the Bill provides a modern, flexible framework to counter hate-motivated and extremist conduct in Australia. Implementation This ensures smooth, consistent application of the law across different cases and timeframes. Click here: Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026

The Department of Home Affairs has released the latest figures on State and Territory nominations for the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visas for December 2025 Between 30 November 2025 and 31 December 2025, the following nominations were made by each State and Territory government: Visa Subclass ACT NSW NT Qld SA Tas Vic WA Skilled Nominated (190) 275 700 243 118 262 373 839 133 Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491) State and Territory Nominated 244 330 152 123 167 103 312 98 For more information Click here

The Australian Government has designated the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games as an Approved Government-Endorsed Event (AGEE) for the purposes of the Subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa. Under a new legislative instrument, Migration (Class of Persons for Nil VAC for Subclass 408 Visas—Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games) Instrument 2025, eligible participants connected with the Games will be able to apply for a Subclass 408 visa with a nil Visa Application Charge (VAC) as a primary applicant under the AGEE stream. This measure supports the smooth entry of athletes, officials, media, and other key personnel required for the delivery of the Brisbane 2032 Games. The instrument defines the class of persons eligible under this designation as including: The instrument commences on 21 January 2026 and will self-repeal on 6 September 2032, at the conclusion of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Click here: Migration (Class of Persons for Nil VAC for Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity) – Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games) Instrument 2025

The Department of Home Affairs has updated the Subclass 500 Student visa program to reflect changes to the evidence levels for several countries in South East Asia, effective 8 January 2026. These changes aim to address emerging integrity risks while continuing to facilitate genuine international students seeking a quality education in Australia. Evidence levels determine the financial capacity and English language evidence requirements for Student visa applicants. They are calculated using a weighted average of indicators, based on the total number of international students—both applicants and visa holders—who hold a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for their principal course of study with an Australian education provider. These updates form part of the Department’s broader approach to maintaining the integrity of the student visa program while supporting access to Australian education. Click here: Subclass 500 Student Visa and Evidence framework

The Cairns Chamber of Commerce has provided an update on the administration of the Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement (FNQ DAMA), highlighting a rise in the volume of variation requests being lodged. The update notes that the FNQ DAMA framework supports forward workforce planning, allowing employers to seek approval for required occupations and positions ahead of time, rather than submitting requests for individual nominees. Variation requests may cover projected staffing needs over a 12 to 24-month period. The Department of Home Affairs’ Labour Agreement Section has identified that frequent submission of small variation requests creates increased administrative pressure and does not align with the intended operation of the FNQ DAMA. Should this practice continue, the Department may introduce a limitation of one variation request per employer per year. The Cairns Chamber of Commerce continues to deliver monthly FNQ DAMA information sessions for employers, with the next session scheduled for Wednesday, 4 February 2026. Click here: Cairns Chamber of Commerce

South Australia and Tasmania have released their latest skilled migration nomination invitation updates for January 2026 under the 2025–26 program year. The South Australian Government issued nomination invitations for Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 visas. Total invitations issued in the 2025–26 program year to date: The Tasmanian Government updates its nomination invitation data on a weekly basis, with the most recent update released on 8 January 2026. Invitations issued on 8 January 2026: Nomination places remaining for the 2025–26 program year: Click here: South Australian Government and Tasmanian Government

OMARA issued the following communication to all registered migration agents regarding its holiday closure period. “Please be advised that the OMARA will be closed for the holidays from Thursday, 25 December 2025 to Thursday, 1 January 2026 inclusive. OMARA will reopen on Friday, 2 January 2026. During this closure period, we are unable to respond to your queries.  Noting the closure period, a kind reminder to all RMAs to submit their repeat registration application early if their registration ends during this period. RMAs will continue to be registered if they submit their registration application prior to their registration expiry date. RMAs can submit their registration up to two months before their expiry date. Submitting early does not impact the expiry date of registration. RMAs should also ensure that they have met the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements and provide valid evidence that they hold Professional Indemnity Insurance. Wishing you all the very best for the upcoming holiday period.”

The Administrative Review Tribunal Amendment Rules (No. 1) 2025 introduce important changes to the Administrative Review Tribunal Rules 2024, effective from 19 December 2025. These updates aim to streamline Tribunal processes and ensure a more efficient and flexible administrative framework. Key Updates Include: The amendments enable the President of the Tribunal to authorise registrars and staff members of the Tribunal to exercise or perform additional powers or functions. This change aims to enhance the Tribunal’s ability to efficiently progress matters before they are heard by a Tribunal member. Consistent with the provisions of Division 4 of Part 11 of the ART Act, the rules now stipulate that limitations on the exercise of certain powers or functions, which may be authorised for members and registrars, will be imposed by the President in the authorising instrument rather than being prescribed in the ART Rules. The amendments introduce provisions for additional decisions for which an application fee is not payable. This change is a result of the Aged Care Act 2024, which came into effect on 1 November 2025.

Migration stack update – 12 December 2025 This update reflects the amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994 by the Migration Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2025. Additionally, updates were made to the following Migration Policy and Procedural Instructions: Migration stack update 16 December 2025 This update reflects the amendments made on 13 December 2025 to the Migration Regulations 1994 by the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Regulations 2025 (F2025L01544) and amendments made on 16 December 2025 by Schedule 1 of the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2025 Measures No. 2) Act 2025 and the Migration Amendment (Personal Identifiers) Regulations 2025. Migration stack update 19 December 2025 This update includes changes to the following Migration Policy and Procedural Instructions: Citizenship stack update 16 December 2025 This update reflects the amendments made on 16 December 2025 to the Citizenship Act 2007 by Schedule 1 of the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2025 Measures No. 2) Act 2025. Citizenship stack update 17 December 2025 This update reflects the amendments made on 17 December 2025 to the Australian Citizenship Regulation 2016 by Schedule 1 of the Australian Citizenship Amendment (Notices of Citizenship) Regulations 2025. Citizenship stack update 19 December 2025 This update includes changes to the following Citizenship Policies and Procedures: