The Department of Home Affairs has introduced Ministerial Direction 120, replacing the previous Direction 112 (dated 6 December 2024), setting a new order for considering and disposing of Class BX visa applications, covering the National Innovation visa, and legacy Global Talent and Distinguished Talent visas and providing guidance on assessing “exceptional and outstanding achievement” for Subclass 858 visa applicants. The direction does not change the legislative requirements for a Class BX visa; applicants must still meet the criteria set out in the Migration Regulations 1994 to be granted a visa. It applies to: It does not apply to applications remitted by the AAT or ART for reconsideration, applications where the AAT/ART has substituted a new decision, applications that wouldn’t otherwise meet visa criteria, certain family unit applications, or matters before the ART. The order of the Priority is as follows: The Direction also provides guidance for decision makers assessing the exceptional and outstanding achievement criterion for Subclass 858 visas. Rather than treating listed factors as a checklist, decision makers must weigh the applicant’s circumstances as a whole. Relevant indicators may include: For applicants nominated by government agencies, a broader range of achievements may also be considered, including top-tier sports or arts awards, significant angel investment experience, promising entrepreneurial activity (particularly linked to state or territory start-up incubators), and exceptional community service or contributions. Click here: Ministerial Direction 120
The Department of Home Affairs has introduced Ministerial Direction 119, under section 499 of the Migration Act 1958, setting the new processing priorities for nomination and visa applications across a range of Skilled visa subclasses. The direction commenced from 25 July 2026 and replaces Ministerial Direction 105 and, for the first time, brings the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) program under a formal prioritisation framework, applying to all on-hand applications. Direction 119 applies to nomination applications for the following visa subclasses: It also applies to visa applications across a broader list of skilled visa classes, including subclasses 186, 187, 189, 190, 191, 482 (TSS and SID), 489, 491, 494, 888 and 887. How Priority Is Determined Order of Processing Priority – For both nominations and visa applications, the Direction sets a five-tier priority order (highest to lowest) The Direction applies both to new applications and to applications made before its commencement that have not yet been finally determined. Click here: Ministerial Direction 119
The Department of Home Affairs has introduced Ministerial Direction 117 on 25 July 2026, replacing Ministerial Direction 102. It establishes new processing priorities for Family visa applications, while Ministerial Direction 103 continues to govern Family visa applications that are subject to capping and queueing. Ministerial Direction No. 117 gives highest priority to Family visa applications made while the primary applicant was in Australia, for a visa that can be granted while they remain in Australia. Lower priority applies to applications where the primary applicant is outside Australia at the time of application or must be outside Australia at the time of grant. Within these categories, applications are processed in the following order: Order of Processing Priority (Within Each Category) Capped and queued applications Direction 103 specifies that Contributory Parent, Parent, and Other Family (Carer, Remaining Relative and Aged Dependent Relative) visa applications which are subject to capping and queuing that are processed in queue date order. Priority processing in special circumstances Direction 117 allows an application to be prioritised where there are special circumstances of a compassionate nature and compelling reasons to depart from the standard order. Processing times vary depending on individual case circumstances. Applicants can refer to the Department’s Processing Times Guide for Child and Partner visa processing times, and the Partner Visa FAQs for information on seeking priority processing. Queue release dates for Parent and Other Family visas are also published separately on the Department’s website. For more information click here
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (Medicare UCCs) provide free urgent, non-life-threatening care to anyone with a valid Medicare card, including permanent residents and visa holders covered under reciprocal health care agreements. The Medicare UCC network has expanded from 87 to 137 clinics nationwide, meaning four out of five Australians will soon live within a 20-minute drive of a clinic. Clinics operate on extended hours, seven days a week, with no appointment or referral required. Translated resources are also available in a range of languages including Croatian, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Turkish and Urdu, among others, to assist patients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in understanding and accessing these services.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) will conduct the 2026 Census. As Australia’s largest statistical collection, the Census informs government funding, infrastructure planning and everyday services including schools, hospitals and transport. Every person in Australia on Census night is required to complete the Census. To assist with reaching diverse communities, the ABS has developed a stakeholder toolkit containing translated resources to help people understand what the Census is, why it matters and how to complete it. For stakeholder toolkit and further information click here.
OMARA has issued a communication to all Registered Migration Agents (RMAs) advising of a refresh of Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) program guidelines aimed at improving clarity, accessibility and customer experience across all TRA assessment programs. The full correspondence from OMARA is set out below: “Please be advised that Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) has launched a refresh of their program guidelines to improve clarity, accessibility, and customer experience across all its assessment programs. There are no changes to policy, eligibility criteria, or assessment outcomes. The refresh is purely a usability and design improvement. The update focuses on simplifying language, improving structure, and aligning content to the customer making it easier for applicants to understand requirements and complete their applications correctly the first time. The updated guidelines are expected to reduce customer confusion, improve application quality, and lower enquiry volumes.”
The 2026-27 Pacific Engagement visa ballot for Pacific island and Timor-Leste nationals opens on 1 July 2026 and closes on 29 July 2026. Random ballot selections for the 2026-27 program year will occur after the ballot has closed. To be eligible to apply, citizens of participating countries must first register in the ballot and be randomly selected and invited to apply for the visa. Countries participating in the PEV ballot include: Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements and ensure they complete their ballot registration before the closing date. Click here: Pacific Engagement visa (subclass 192) – Pacific Engagement stream – Ballot registration
The ACT Government and the Cairns Chamber of Commerce have released important updates relating to skilled migration nominations and the Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement (FNQ DAMA) Information Session and Temporary Processing Pause. ACT Skilled Migration Invitation Round The ACT Government has released the results of its latest skilled migration nomination invitation round, held on 11 June 2026. During this round, invitations were issued to eligible applicants seeking ACT nomination for the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visas. The invitation outcomes were as follows: Matrix nominating Categories Subclass 190 Subclass 491 Doctorate Streamlined Pathway 8 5 Canberra Residents – Small Business Owners 3 (minimum matrix score is 110) 0 (minimum matrix score is 0) Canberra Residents – Critical Skill Occupations 66 0 Overseas Applicants – Critical Skill Occupations 0 0 Total Invitations Issued 77 5 The ACT Government also confirmed that, as of 12 June 2026, only 82 nomination places remained for the 2025–26 allocation year, including 74 (Subclass 190) nominations and 8 (Subclass 491) nominations. Click here: Canberra Matrix – Invitation Round FNQ DAMA – Information Session & Temporary Processing Pause The Cairns Chamber of Commerce Migration Manager Geoff Heath invites Registered Migration Agents and Immigration Lawyers to a free online information session on the Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement (FNQ DAMA) on 5 August 2026. The FNQ DAMA is a skilled migration program tailored to meet the unique workforce needs of Far North Queensland, offering a greater range of occupations and various concessions for employers and employees. The session will cover a general overview of the FNQ DAMA, program updates, and an open Q&A regarding any FNQ DAMA related issues. The session will be held via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday 5 August 2026 from 11:30am to 12:30pm AEST. Registration is free and a Teams link will be sent upon registration. Click here: FNQ DAMA Information Session for Migration Agents and Immigration Lawyers Temporary Processing Reduction The Cairns Chamber of Commerce has also advised that processing of FNQ DAMA decisions will be temporarily reduced during the week of 6–10 July 2026. Agents and employers may continue to submit endorsement requests and direct enquiries via email during this time. Full operations are expected to resume from Monday 13 July 2026.
The Department of Home Affairs has introduced important amendments to Australia’s humanitarian visa pathway under the Community Support Program and Australia’s passport refusal and cancellation frameworks to address state-sponsored terrorism offences. State-Sponsored Terrorism – New Passport Provisions The Australian Passports Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Determination 2026 amends the Australian Passports Determination 2015 to bring newly created state-sponsored terrorism offences under Part 5.3A, Divisions 111-113 of the Criminal Code are included within the existing passport refusal and cancellation frameworks. The instrument took effect from 13 June 2026. Click here: Australian Passports Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Determination 2026 Community Support Program – Key Amendments The Migration Amendment (Realigning the Community Support Program) Regulations 2026 introduce a series of amendments to the Migration Regulations governing Subclass 202 (Global Special Humanitarian) visa applications lodged with a proposal from an Approved Proposing Organisation (APO). The key changes are as follows: The regulations take effect from 1 July 2026 and apply to applications lodged on or after that date. However, the APO transfer provision operates retrospectively, extending to applications lodged but not finally determined prior to 1 July 2026. Click here: Migration Amendment (Realigning the Community Support Program) Regulations 2026
TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) has updated its program guidelines to make them clearer and easier to navigate for applicants and their representatives. There are no changes to the assessment process, eligibility criteria or assessment outcomes as a result of this update. The revised guidelines feature simpler language, step-by-step processes and greater consistency across programs. The updates apply across TRA’s full suite of assessment programs, including the Migration Skills Assessment, Job Ready Program, Temporary Skills Shortage, Provisional Skills Assessment, Migration Points Advice and Offshore Skills Assessment Program. The changes are presentational only and are intended to improve accessibility and readability for applicants throughout the assessment process. Those assisting clients with TRA skills assessments are encouraged to review the updated guidelines prior to lodging any new application Click here: Trades Recognition Australia – Policy and Forms