A new compilation of the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 took effect on 17 October 2026, following amendments made by the Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Act 2026. Under these changes, information collected under the ESOS Act can now be shared with the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC), its staff and contractors, and with the Commonwealth Ombudsman. A registered higher education provider is also taken to have the principal purpose of providing education if its main purpose is education, research, or both. In addition, people who receive information under the Act can now be given access to the student reporting system. These changes build on the integrity measures that have applied since December 2025. Providers must publish a list of their education agents and provide commission details when requested, with penalties of up to 60 penalty units for non-compliance. Any ownership links between providers and agents must be reported within 10 business days. The Minister can pause new provider and course applications for up to 12 months, and can suspend or cancel classes of courses with quality concerns or limited value to Australia’s skills needs, although Table A universities are exempt from this measure. Providers, other than school providers, will have their registration automatically cancelled if they deliver no courses to overseas students for 12 consecutive months, counted from 1 January 2026 onwards. To protect students, providers generally cannot collect more than 50% of tuition fees before a course starts, and any advance fees must be held in a separate account. Providers have 30 days to seek internal review of certain regulatory decisions, and the reviewer has 120 days to make a decision. Providers should review their agent arrangements, reporting obligations, course offerings and fee practices to make sure they comply with these requirements. Click here: Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000
Compilation No. 289 of the Migration Regulations 1994 reflects the regulations as in force on 2 October 2026. The updated regulations cover important requirements affecting skilled visa applicants, international students, temporary visa holders, sponsors and employers. Key updates include: Applicants, visa holders and employers should review the updated requirements to ensure compliance and confirm the applicable criteria before lodging applications. Click here: Migration Regulations 1994 – Updated Compilation
The Migration Act 1958 has been updated. Compilation No. 172 shows the law as in force on 8 October 2026 and includes amendments made by Act No. 39, 2026. The updated legislation contains significant provisions concerning character assessments, removal obligations, Bridging Visa R (Subclass 070), employer sanctions and the validity of certain visa applications. Character concerns and hate-related conduct The character framework includes provisions under which a non-citizen may be considered a person of character concern because of links to terrorist organisations or prohibited hate groups, involvement in hate crimes, or hateful public statements, including statements made online. The application of these provisions will depend on the relevant statutory requirements and the circumstances of each case. Directions to cooperate with removal The Minister may direct certain non-citizens to cooperate with their removal from Australia. These directions cannot be given to children or to individuals with a pending protection visa application. Failure to comply with a direction may attract a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 12 months, as specified by the relevant provisions. Bridging Visa R (Subclass 070) and community safety orders The updated framework also addresses breaches of Bridging Visa R conditions. A breach may attract up to five years’ imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum sentence of one year. Where a community safety order comes into force, the person’s existing visa is replaced by a Bridging Visa R that does not carry curfew or electronic monitoring conditions under the relevant statutory arrangement. The interaction between visa conditions, community safety orders and other statutory requirements should be assessed on the facts of each case. Employer sanctions Employers who are subject to migrant worker sanctions may be prohibited from hiring temporary visa holders for periods of up to five years, 10 years or indefinitely, depending on the nature of the conduct. Employers who are banned may also be publicly identified. Visa applications from designated removal concern countries Certain visa applications made outside Australia by nationals of designated removal concern countries may be invalid under the updated framework, subject to applicable family and humanitarian exceptions. Applicants potentially affected by these provisions should confirm whether an exception applies before lodging a visa application. Click here:Migration Act 1958 – Compilation No. 172
An updated compilation of the Customs Act 1901 has been published as Compilation No. 194. It reflects the legislation as of 29 September 2026 and incorporates amendments made by Act No. 92 of 2026. The compilation consolidates the legislation but does not, by itself, identify every provision changed by the latest amending Act. The following existing provisions remain relevant to the reporting obligations of international transport operators: These provisions are existing reporting requirements and should not be interpreted as new changes arising from the latest compilation. Click here: Customs Act 1901 – Compilation No. 194
Victoria has announced new fees for Registrations of Interest (ROIs) and nomination applications under the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) programs, commencing with the 2026–27 program year. Updated Fees for 2026-27: Application type Excluding GST Including GST Registration of Interest (ROI) $60 $66 Subclass 190 nomination application $180 $198 Subclass 491 nomination application $180 $198 Fee rules If you submitted an ROI in a previous program year and want to be considered in 2026-27, you must log in to the Live in Melbourne portal and submit a new ROI when the program opens. Applicants who submitted an ROI in a previous program year and wish to be considered for the 2026–27 program must log in to the Live in Melbourne portal and submit a new ROI once the program opens. Victoria has also published further information about how ROIs are assessed and selected for invitation, including the weighting of Victorian Points Test factors, priority industries and additional industry considerations. Applicants should review these selection criteria carefully before submitting an ROI or nomination application. Information about the 2026-27 program will be published on the Live in Melbourne website when it is available. Click here: Victoria’s skilled visa nomination program 2026-27
Cyber Security Action Month began on 1 October 2026. The Australian Government is urging Australians to pause before they act online. Cyber criminals often rely on people being rushed or distracted. Research shows that more than half of Australians reuse passwords, and 57 per cent do not regularly review their privacy settings. Simple steps to stay secure: Click here: One second could stop a cyber-attack
An updated compilation of the Social Security Act 1991 (Compilation No. 234) has been published, current as of 20 September 2026 and incorporating amendments made by Act No. 58, 2026. The compilation is a consolidated copy of the Act and does not itself identify which provisions were changed. The rules below are existing provisions that matter to visa holders and migrants. They are not confirmed as new. Who counts as an “Australian resident” (section 7): A person must reside in Australia and be an Australian citizen, the holder of a permanent visa, or a protected Special Category Visa (subclass 444) holder. Newly arrived resident’s waiting periods: These include a qualifying residence exemption for refugees and former refugees, certain family members of refugees, and Australian citizens. For carer payment, visa classes can also be exempted by legislative instrument. A person generally needs 10 years of qualifying Australian residence, or a qualifying residence exemption (section 43). Readers should check the Federal Register of Legislation for the specific changes made by Act No. 58, 2026. Click here: Social Security Act 1991 – Compilation No. 234
A new instrument Migration (Arrangements for eVisitor Visa Applications) Instrument 2026 has been made specifying the approved form and manner for eVisitor (Subclass 651) visa applications, in substitution for the previous 2016 instrument. It is made under subregulation 2.07(5) of the Migration Regulations 1994 and commences the day after registration. It repeals Arrangements for E-Visitor Applications 2016/111. Under the instrument: An “eVisitor visa application” means an application for a Subclass 651 (eVisitor) visa within the Visitor (Class TV) visa. Click here: Migration (Arrangements for eVisitor Visa Applications) Instrument 2026
A new determination Social Security (AGDRP-Adversely Affected Persons-Nepal Flash Floods) Determination 2026 (LIN 26/101) has been made on 25 September 2026, specifying who is taken to be adversely affected by the Nepal flash floods for the purposes of the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP). The determination applies to the severe flash flooding in Nepal, including associated landslides and debris flows, occurring on and from 26 August 2026 as a result of a glacier collapse. A person is taken to be adversely affected if: Immediate family member means a partner; a natural, adoptive or step-child; a natural, adoptive or step-parent; a legal guardian; or a brother, sister, step-brother or step-sister. The determination is repealed on the day after the end of two years from its commencement. Click here: LIN 26/101 – Social Security (AGDRP—Adversely Affected Persons—Nepal Flash Floods) Determination 2026
The Department of Home Affairs has updated its guidance on adequate health insurance for Australian visa applicants and holders on 06 October 2026. Most temporary visa holders and visitors cannot access Australia’s Medicare system. They may therefore be responsible for all of their healthcare costs while in Australia. Appropriate private health insurance can protect against unexpected medical expenses, and depending on the visa held, it may also be needed to meet visa conditions. The Department has revised its guidance to explain more clearly what counts as adequate health insurance and what healthcare obligations visa holders have. It has also released a new Adequate Health Insurance Factsheet with practical guidance. Visa applicants and holders should check that their cover is adequate for Australia and meets the requirements of their visa. Click here: Department of Home Affairs