The Albanese Government has confirmed the National Planning Level (NPL) for international student commencements will stay unchanged at 295,000 places for 2027. Commencements are already tracking below to this level, down 8 per cent on 2025 and 13 per cent below 2019 figures. Alongside the freeze, general student and Temporary Graduate visa fees will rise by 25 per cent, though lower fees continue for Pacific and Timor-Leste students, with new reduced rates introduced for ASEAN students, standalone English language courses, and non-award courses. Priority visa processing will continue for Pacific, Timor-Leste and scholarship students. All active providers will keep at least their current allocation next year, maintaining strong support for regional universities. From 2027, the new Australian Tertiary Education Commission will manage individual provider allocations, while the Government continues to set the overall planning level. Ministers said the changes aim to keep international education sustainable, high-quality and globally competitive, while continuing to crack down on poor provider practices and visa misuse. Click here: Managing a sustainable international education sector

A new legislative instrument “Migration (Daily Maintenance Amount for Persons in Detention) Determination 2026” sets the daily maintenance amount for people in immigration detention at $702.31, effective from 1st July 2026 to 30th June 2028. It applies to Australia’s immigration detention centres, including those in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Christmas Island, Perth, Villawood and Yongah Hill, along with any other approved detention location. It replaces the previous 2024 determination. Click here: Migration (Daily Maintenance Amount for Persons in Detention) Determination 2026

The Migration (Arrangements for Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) Visa) Instrument 2026, dated 29th June 2026 has come into effect, replacing the 2021 version. The instrument sets a “younger age” eligibility of 30 years across 31 specified countries, including Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam, along with country-specific educational requirements and application form arrangements. Educational requirements are set per country – generally tertiary qualifications or 2+ years of relevant study, with some variations (e.g. Israel requires military service completion/exemption; the US requires only secondary schooling). Applicants from 19 specified countries, including Argentina, China, India, Singapore and the US, are exempt from providing evidence of government support. The update aligns Subclass 462 visa settings with the broader Working Holiday Maker age criteria changes from 1st July 2026. Click here: Migration (Arrangements for Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) Visa) Instrument 2026

The Administrative and Judicial Review Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 has been introduced into the House of Representatives by the Attorney-General. The Bill proposes a series of amendments to the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024, the Migration Act 1958, and several related pieces of legislation, aimed at refining how the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) and courts handle reviews of migration and other decisions. Proposed changes include: If passed, most provisions would commence the day after Royal Assent, though some, including the identity verification and approved forms provisions, commence on a date fixed by Proclamation, with a six-month backstop if no Proclamation is made. Click here: Administrative and Judicial Review Legislation Amendment Bill 2026

LEGENDcom has released its latest stack update, effective 1 July 2026, bringing changes across several Migration and Citizenship Policy and Procedural Instructions (PIs). Migration – Regulations – Schedules: Migration – Regulations – Divisions: These updates incorporate amendments made on 1st July 2026 to the Migration Regulations 1994, introduced through: Citizenship – 1st July 2026:

Australia’s Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee has completed its inquiry into how the government manages offshore processing and resettlement with Nauru and Papua New Guinea, covering arrangements in places since 2022. The Senate first called for this inquiry back in November 2025, asking the Committee to dig into where taxpayer money has gone, specifically, payments to contractors, subcontractors and other third parties, and whether those contracts have been run with proper integrity, transparency and value for money. Off the back of its findings, the Committee put forward four key recommendations. It wants to see the Department of Home Affairs keep tightening its integrity and due diligence processes and consider being more open with the public about contracting details where it can. It’s also asking the Auditor-General to look into carrying out regular, independent audits of these arrangements going forward. Finally, it’s calling on the Government to act on a recommendation first raised in the 2023 Richardson Review specifically, setting up a proper protocol for lawfully sharing law enforcement and intelligence information as part of these deals. The Australian Greens issued a dissenting report pushing for something far stronger – a complete end to offshore processing and third-country resettlement arrangements with both Nauru and PNG. For full report click: Parliament of Australia – Offshore processing and resettlement arrangements

The Department of Home Affairs is hosting a free online information session on Tuesday, 28th  July 2026, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (AEST), for employers interested in recruiting workers from the Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste under the PALM scheme and the Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV). The PALM scheme is a temporary, employer-sponsored visa for unskilled to semi-skilled roles, available for short-term (up to nine months) or long-term (one to four years) placements, particularly suited to agriculture and regional labour needs. The PEV is a permanent residence pathway that requires an offer of ongoing employment, after which holders may work in any occupation, anywhere in Australia. The session will include presentations from the Department of Employment and Workforce Relations (PALM overview) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (PEV Support Service), followed by a Q&A with subject matter experts. To register click here.

The Department of Social Services (DSS) has launched a public survey to inform the development of the Second Action Plan under the National Plan to end Violence Against Women and Children. The consultation is open from 22nd May 2026 to 31st July 2026 and invites community members to contribute views that will shape Australia’s approach to preventing family, domestic and sexual violence over the next five years. The Second Action Plan will build on what’s already been achieved. It will also address gaps that have been identified and use new evidence and people’s real-life experiences to help guide decisions and priorities up to 2032. Participation is entirely voluntary and respondents may decline to answer individual questions or exit at any stage. To take part in the survey 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.