Online lodgement for Class XB Refugee and Humanitarian visa applications was initially introduced on 1 July 2025 for applicants with a proposer. From 29 November 2025, this requirement will be extended to include applicants without a proposer. All eligible applicants (excluding those under the Community Support Program) will be required to submit their applications online via Immi Account. The Department continues to expand online lodgement to improve user experience and deliver efficiencies. Currently, offshore humanitarian applicants may face difficulty lodging applications due to their location or unreliable postal systems. Online lodgement will allow applicants to self-serve, upload and attach relevant documentation and check the status of the application online. Click here: Fact Sheet – Online lodgement for Class XB Refugee and Humanitarian visas
The Department of Home Affairs is seeking community input on the translation of its web pages into Turkish, Russian, Korean, and Hindi. Members of the public are invited to review sample translations and complete an online survey, which requires approximately 10–15 minutes to complete. The feedback will assist the Department in enhancing the quality and accessibility of translated content, ensuring that key information is clear, accurate, and readily available to non-English-speaking communities. The Department encourages participants to share the invitation with family, friends, community networks, and relevant groups to broaden engagement. Additional Engagement Opportunity Participants may also opt to join a virtual group discussion, providing an opportunity to offer more detailed feedback or ask questions regarding the translation project. For registration Click here
The Department of Home Affairs has updated how processing priorities are assigned for applications for the Subclass 500 (Student) visa. For applications lodged inside Australia, the rule remains that they are assessed in the order of lodgement. For applications lodged outside Australia, two Ministerial Directions apply depending on the date of lodgement. For applications lodged before 14 November 2025, the assessment follows Ministerial Direction 111 – Order for considering and disposing of offshore Subclass 500 (Student) visa applications. Under Direction 111, applications are split into two priority levels: For applications lodged on or after 14 November 2025, they follow Ministerial Direction 115 – Order for considering and disposing of offshore Subclass 500 (Student) visa applications. Under Direction 115, applications are split into three priority levels: Processing-time under MD111 and MD115: These periods are based on 2025 lodgements and processing resources and can change, particularly when lodgements increase, and in peak periods. Allocation times are subject to change. Processing times vary depending on volumes, integrity checks, completeness of applications and applicants meeting the identity, character and health requirements. Key Information: Click here: Student Visa Processing Priorities
The Department of Home Affairs has provided the latest update on processing times for the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa program amid high application volumes. The Employer Sponsored Program Delivery (ESPD) team has reported receiving a significant number of applications under the Subclass 186 visa. As of 31 October 2025, the ESPD confirmed it cannot specify exact assessment timelines but is currently processing applications as follows: Applicants and sponsors are encouraged to plan accordingly and stay updated on the status of their submissions due to ongoing high volumes.
The Department of Home Affairs has set the next invitation round for the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa under the points-tested stream. The Department has announced that the upcoming invitation round for the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa (points-tested stream) will take place on 13 November 2025. Migration agents and applicants are encouraged to ensure that all Expressions of Interest (EOI) are current and accurately updated before the scheduled round. This will help ensure eligibility for selection when invitations are issued.
LEGENDcom updated its migration stack on 1 November 2025 to reflect the Aged Care Legislation Consequential Amendments Regulations 2025, which align with the Aged Care Act 2024. The migration stack update incorporates amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994 and related federal instruments, including healthcare, Medicare, taxation, and foreign investment regulations. Key updates include: Click here: Aged Care Legislation Consequential Amendments Regulations 2025
The Administrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 proposes changes to allow certain matters to be decided without an oral hearing, streamlining the review process for specific visa applications. The Bill expands circumstances where the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) can decide a matter on the papers, without holding a hearing, provided that: Under the proposed Migration Act amendments, certain applications must be reviewed on the papers, including: Other visa types, including permanent and protection visas, remain unaffected. Applications subject to this requirement will be decided entirely on the basis of written submissions under new Division 4A of Part 5 of the Migration Act. Committee Recommendations: Click here: Administrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
The Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Bill 2025 proposes to amend the Migration Act 1958 to establish a public register of approved work sponsors, promoting transparency in skilled worker sponsorship. The Bill allows the Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs to publish information about approved work sponsors on the Department’s website. The register may include: The register will not include personal identifiers, in compliance with the Privacy Act 1988. The Bill was introduced and read a first time, with the second reading moved on 6 November 2025. Click here: Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Bill 2025
The Migration Amendment (Skilled Visa Reform Technical Measures) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/110) introduces a series of technical updates to clarify occupation lists and assessing authorities for skilled visas. The instrument commenced on 3 November 2025 for Immigration, aimed at updating occupation codes, caveats, and assessing authorities to support accurate processing of skilled visa applications under the Migration Regulations 1994. Key changes include: Click here: LIN 25/110 – Migration Amendment (Skilled Visa Reform Technical Measures) Instrument 2025
The Australian Government has officially designated the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup as an Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) under the Migration Regulations, paving the way for simplified visa arrangements for key participants. The Migration (2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup—Class of Persons for Nil VAC) Instrument 2025 establishes the specific class of people eligible for the visa concession. The instrument commenced on 5 November 2025. Under this new instrument, individuals approved for accreditation by the local organising committee are eligible for a Subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa under the AGEE stream with no visa application charge (VAC). The categories of eligible persons include: Click here: LIN 25/115 – Migration (2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup—Class of Persons for Nil VAC) Instrument 2025