The Western Australian Government has announced the transition of the Goldfields Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) to the broader Western Australian DAMA framework, providing continued access to skilled migration pathways for employers across the Goldfields region. The Goldfields Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) will end on 30 June 2026. From 1 July 2026, employers located within the Goldfields region will be able to access the WA DAMA, ensuring ongoing access to employer-sponsored migration concessions and skilled workforce solutions. Goldfields employers should be aware of the following key dates: Click here: Goldfields DAMA transition

LEGENDcom has released Migration stack updates for 2 June and 5 June 2026, covering amendments to the Migration Regulations and updates to several Policy and Procedural Instructions (PIs). 2 June 2026 The stack update reflects amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994 made on 1 June 2026 by the Migration Amendment (Administrative Review of Student Visa Refusal Decisions) Regulations 2026 (F2026L00640), which prescribe that most applications for review of a student visa refusal must now be determined on the papers rather than through an oral hearing. 5 June 2026 The following PIs have been updated across the Migration stack: Policy — Migration Regulations Schedules Policy — Migration Act Policy — Refugee and Humanitarian Policy — Migration Regulations

Luxembourg passport holders applying for the Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa will no longer be required to provide a letter of support from the Luxembourg Government, following a legislative amendment that commenced on 3 June 2026. The Migration Legislation Amendment (Arrangements for Work and Holiday Visas — Luxembourg) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/063) amends the existing arrangements under LIN 21/019 to add Luxembourg to the list of countries whose passport holders are exempt from the government support letter requirement. The amendment applies to all applications made on or after 3 June 2026. Click here: Migration Legislation Amendment (Arrangements for Work and Holiday Visas—Luxembourg) Instrument 2026

The Minister for Education, the Hon Jason Clare MP, and the Minister for Skills and Training, the Hon Andrew Giles MP, have announced the departure of Professor Barney Glover AO from his role as Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), where he has served since April 2024. During his time at JSA, Professor Glover was instrumental in building the organisation into a valued contributor to Australia’s workforce planning and labour market policy landscape. He brought to the role a distinguished background in tertiary education, having previously served as Vice-Chancellor of Western Sydney University and Charles Darwin University, among other senior academic leadership roles. Professor Glover is now taking up the role of Chief Commissioner of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC). Throughout his tenure at JSA, he also supported the interim ATEC in an advisory capacity from its inception on 1 July 2025. His new appointment as Chief Commissioner is a full statutory role commencing 1 July 2026, for a five-year term. Click here: Jobs and Skills Australia

The Australian Border Force (ABF) has launched a four-month national operation to strengthen compliance and oversight of the Training (Subclass 407) visa program, targeting employers using fraudulent training arrangements to exploit migrant workers. This program is led by the Department’s Sponsor Monitoring Unit, ABF officers have already conducted more than 100 site visits across six states and territories in the first month alone. Early findings reveal employers lacking genuine training plans and trainees being placed in roles unrelated to their approved training. The operation will cover more than 200 workplaces nationally and is being conducted in collaboration with the Fair Work Ombudsman. It is important to note that the Subclass 407 visa is for structured workplace-based training and professional development — not ongoing employment. In the 2025–26 financial year to 30 April 2026, 55% of Subclass 407 applications have been refused or withdrawn. Under the Migration Act, exploiting visa holders is a serious criminal offence carrying significant penalties including fines and imprisonment. Suspicious activity can be reported anonymously via Border Watch. For more information click here

The Department of Home Affairs has advised the pre-application ballot process for the Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa for the 2026-27 program year. Applicants from China, India and Vietnam must now register through a ballot before being eligible to apply for the visa. Rather than applying directly, eligible applicants from China, India and Vietnam must first register in their respective country’s ballot. Only those randomly selected through the ballot will be invited to lodge a Subclass 462 visa application. An invitation to apply does not guarantee the visa -applicants must still meet all relevant eligibility criteria. Ballot registration must be completed via the applicant’s ImmiAccount. Applicants may only register once per ballot round, and registration is only available while the ballot period is open. Registrations for the China, India and Vietnam ballot for the 2026–27 program year will open on 4 June 2026 and close on 25 June 2026. Key Considerations: Click here: Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program

The Australian Government has introduced the Migration Amendment (Administrative Review of Student Visa Refusal Decisions) Regulations 2026, changing the way student visa refusal decisions are reviewed by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). The majority of review applications will now be assessed on the papers based on written submissions and documentary evidence rather than through an oral hearing. The Regulations introduce the following changes: Response timeframes Additional amendments Where a matter later becomes unsuitable for an on-the-papers review, any notices previously issued by the ART will remain valid and fresh invitations will not be required. The Regulations also include technical updates to migration regulation numbering and revisions to the definition of confirmation of enrolment to align with the ESOS framework. Commencement and Transitional Arrangements The new provisions will apply to: Transitional arrangements also apply to cases moving into the new paper-based review system from 1 June 2026, ensuring steps already taken under previous provisions are treated as steps taken under the new framework. Click here: Migration Amendment (Administrative Review of Student Visa Refusal Decisions) Regulations 2026

The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) has published formal guidance on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in immigration assistance, setting out clear expectations for both registered migration agents (RMAs) and consumers. The guidance makes clear that the introduction of AI does not alter the existing legal framework governing immigration assistance. Under the Migration Act 1958, only RMAs, Australian legal practitioners and certain exempt persons may lawfully provide immigration assistance — AI-generated information does not constitute an exemption to this requirement. RMAs may utilise AI tools in their practice, however full responsibility for the accuracy, quality and professionalism of all advice and documents remains with the agent. Existing obligations under the Code of Conduct continue to apply, including confidentiality requirements. Notably, RMAs must inform clients of any intended AI use and obtain written consent prior to entering personal information into an AI system. The guidance also includes a dedicated section for consumers, outlining their rights and the process for raising concerns. Where a consumer believes an RMA has misused AI or breached the Code of Conduct, a complaint may be lodged with OMARA, which retains the power to investigate and take disciplinary action. For more information click here

The Australian Government has announced that the 2026–27 permanent Migration Program will remain at 185,000 places, maintaining the existing 70:30 split between the Skill and Family streams. The announcement was made as part of the Federal Budget on 12 May 2026. The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that, of the 185,000 places allocated to the 2026–27 permanent Migration Program, 129,590 have been directed to migrants already residing onshore in Australia. The remaining 55,110 places are allocated to offshore applicants, with a focus on high-skilled migrants who can address long-term workforce needs and contribute to productivity growth. The Department of Home Affairs has since updated its website with the detailed planning levels for each stream, with key changes for 2026–27 outlined below: Program Composition Stream Places Skill stream 132,240 (approximately 71% of the program) Family stream 52,460 (approximately 28% of the program) Special Eligibility stream 300 Key Changes — Skill Stream Visa Category 2025–26 2026–27 Skilled Independent 16,900 21,090 Employer Sponsored 44,000 58,040 State/Territory Nominated 33,000 35,500 Regional State/Territory Nominated 33,000 14,010 Talent and Innovation 5,300 3,500 Key Changes — Family Stream Visa Category 2025–26 2026–27 Child visas 3,000 3,500 Parent visas 8,500 7,060 Other Family visas 500 400 Click here: Permanent Migration Program planning levels

The Administrative Review Tribunal Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Rules 2026 introduce targeted amendments to the Administrative Review Tribunal Rules 2024, supporting the new “on the papers” review process for prescribed temporary visa decisions and updating fee arrangements for certain regulatory matters. Authorisation of ART Registrars and Staff The Amendment Rules permit the President of the ART to authorise registrars and staff to carry out routine administrative functions within the “on the papers” review pathway, without significant discretion. Members retain full responsibility for all decisions. Authorised functions include issuing invitations for written submissions under section 367F of the Migration Act and dismissing applications where an applicant fails to respond, with reinstatement available in appropriate circumstances. NDIS Application Fees Application fees will now apply to reviews of regulatory decisions made by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner, ensuring consistency with comparable regulatory review matters before the ART. The amendments authorising registrars and staff to exercise certain powers commenced on 18 May 2026. The amendments relating to NDIS application fees commence on 1 July 2026 and apply to applications made on or after that date. Click here: Administrative Review Tribunal Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Rules 2026