The Australian Government has released the Industry Data Classification Framework (IDCF), a new voluntary tool to help organisations understand, manage and protect the value of their data. The IDCF provides a consistent way for organisations to classify, protect and share data, aligning with existing standards and designed to suit businesses of all sizes, from small enterprises to large corporations. It helps organisations understand the value of their data, identify and manage data risks, apply appropriate protections, and share data securely and with greater confidence. Developed in partnership with CSIRO, the framework is a key deliverable of the 2023–2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy, drawing on extensive research and consultation with industry across Australia. It has been designed to be flexible and accessible, suiting organisations at any stage of their data security maturity. Under Horizon 2 of the Strategy, the Department of Home Affairs will continue working with industry to support adoption of the IDCF and ensure it remains responsive to Australia’s evolving cyber threat landscape. Department of Home Affairs First Assistant Secretary for Counter Foreign Interference, Cyber and Technology, Greta Doherty, said the IDCF was an important outcome of the Strategy that would help organisations strengthen their data governance, share data with confidence, and unlock new opportunities for innovation and collaboration. Click here: Industry Data Classification Framework | Horizon 2: Expanding our reach (2026-2028)
The Department of Home Affairs has advised that TOEFL iBT English language testing services are currently unavailable in Iran, affecting applicants who require an approved English language test for Australian visa purposes. English Testing Services (ETS) has confirmed the disruption to TOEFL iBT testing in Iran. Applicants based in Iran who need an approved English language test result for their Australian visa application are encouraged to consider approved testing options available in other countries in the meantime. Further details on approved English language tests and providers can be found via the Department’s English language visa requirements page. Click here: English language testing services in Iran
The new legislative instrument has been made setting out updated requirements for how Child(Migrant), Child (Residence) and Extended Eligibility (Temporary) visa applications must be lodged, replacing the previous 2016 arrangements. The Migration (Arrangements for Child Visa Applications) Instrument 2026 was made on 31 August 2026 by the Assistant Minister for Immigration, Matt Thistlethwaite, and takes effect the day after registration. It repeals and replaces the Arrangements for Child Visa Applications 2016/051 instrument. Key changes include: Applications that were already lodged at an address valid under the previous 2016 instrument will not be affected by the change. Click here: Migration (Arrangements for Child Visa Applications) Instrument 2026
LEGENDcom has released its latest policy stack updates for both the migration and citizenship portfolios, effective from 04 September 2026. Policy – Migration regulations – Schedules: Policy – Migration Act Citizenship policy and procedures:
The latest round of invitations for Tasmanian skilled migration nominations was issued on 20 August 2026, with 20 invitations for subclass 190 (17 Gold, 3 Green) and 25 for subclass 491(1 Gold, 24 further invitations). Due to the high volume of Gold pass ROIs received for subclass 190, only a limited number of additional invitations were issued this round, with just three non-Gold ROIs invited due to oversubscription over the past two weeks. Gold pass ROI numbers are expected to decline in the coming weeks, allowing for larger invitation rounds ahead. Current processing summary: Category Subclass 190 Subclass 491 Lowest score invited 544 points 91 points ROIs on hand 906 572 Nomination places available 1,050 748 Applications lodged, not yet decided 10 5 Invitations issued, application not yet lodged 36 39 Oldest lodged application awaiting case officer allocation was on 25 August 2026. Lowest score required for nomination (rolling 3-month average): Nominations are approved where all claimed priority attributes are verified. Applications may be declined if attributes cannot be verified and the score falls below the required threshold, or if attributes are found to have been claimed to artificially inflate a score. Gold pass holders who do not meet the relevant Gold priority attribute will be declined, regardless of total score. For more information visit: Migration Tasmania
The Northern Territory Government has confirmed that it has been granted its complete allocation for the 2026-27 General Skilled Migration program year by the Australian Government. Nomination applications through the NT Government will open on 21 August 2026, available to all onshore applicants as well as selected offshore streams. Applicants are advised to check the eligibility requirements relevant to their stream before submitting an application, as these have been revised for the upcoming program year. Guidance on completing and submitting an application is also available on the NT Government website. The NT Government has clarified that it cannot promise nomination outcomes will be finalised before an applicant’s visa expires. Individuals currently in Australia whose visas are nearing expiry are urged to consult a Registered Migration Agent or Legal Practitioner regarding their options, to ensure their ongoing lawful status in the country is maintained. For more information and guidance visit Northern Territory
The Tasmanian Skilled Migration State Nomination Program has begun accepting new Registrations of Interest (ROIs) from 17 August 2026, alongside a number of updates to the priority attributes used for candidate selection. Several changes have been made to how priority attributes are scored and assessed for this program year, and applicants are encouraged to review the full nomination requirements and updated attribute criteria available on the Migration Tasmania website. For the 2026-27 program year, Tasmania has been allocated a total of 2,050 nomination places, comprises two visa subclasses: For more information visit: Migration Tasmania
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is inviting public feedback on the draft Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) 2027, the classification set to replace the current OSCA 2024 version. The ABS is collaborating with representatives from government, industry, and the education and training sectors to ensure OSCA 2027 accurately reflects today’s Australian workforce. Community input is being sought to help identify gaps, update outdated terminology, and refine the classification ahead of its scheduled release in March 2027. The upcoming revision will concentrate on OSCA’s 6-digit occupation level and will involve identifying new and emerging occupations, phasing out occupations that no longer meet statistical thresholds, adjusting skill levels, and refining details such as specialisations, job titles, lead statements, main tasks, licensing requirements, and inclusion or exclusion criteria. Public consultation on the draft classification is open now and will run until 18 September 2026, after which the draft and related materials will be taken down from the ABS website. Interested parties can access the draft and submit feedback via the ABS Consultation Hub. Click here: ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics)
A new Bill has been introduced to help the Administrative Review Tribunal and the Federal Circuit and Family Court manage rising caseloads, particularly in migration matters. It proposes changes to the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024 and the Migration Act 1958. Key measures include allowing Tribunal registrars to dismiss applications with no reasonable prospect of success, enabling decisions to be delivered orally with written reasons available on request, and introducing new identity verification requirements for applicants seeking review of migration or protection decisions. The Bill responds to a sharp rise in caseloads. Tribunal lodgements have more than doubled in five years, while migration matters now make up two-thirds of the Federal Circuit and Family Court’s general caseload. It has been referred to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, with stakeholder groups raising concerns over procedural fairness and tighter review timeframes. Click here: Administrative and Judicial Review Legislation Amendment Bill 2026
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has announced that surcharging on debit, prepaid and credit cards will be removed from 1st October 2026, as surcharging is no longer achieving its intended purpose, it has become harder for consumers to avoid and is often poorly disclosed. From that date, businesses will no longer be able to surcharge payments made via eftpos, Mastercard or Visa. American Express, JCB and UnionPay are also working to remove surcharging from the same date. Interchange fee caps will also be lowered from 1st October 2026 for Australian-issued cards, and 1st April 2027 for foreign-issued cards, alongside new reporting requirements to improve fee transparency for merchants. Businesses that currently apply surcharges will need to remove surcharge settings across all payment channels, update customer-facing materials, and ensure staff are prepared ahead of the changeover. Click here: Reserve Bank of Australia