The Australian Government has progressed new legislation aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability within the skilled migration system through the introduction of a public register of approved work sponsors. The Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Bill 2025 seeks to amend the Migration Act 1958 to provide for the publication of a register of approved work sponsors. This register will include both standard business sponsors and accredited sponsors who nominate skilled workers for entry into Australia. The register, to be maintained by the Department of Home Affairs and made publicly accessible via its official website, is expected to include the following information: This initiative is intended to promote greater transparency within the employer-sponsored visa program, enhance regulatory oversight, and support compliance across sponsoring entities. The Bill was introduced on 27 November 2025 and passed both Houses of Parliament on 1 April 2026. It will commence upon receiving Royal Assent, either on a date to be fixed by proclamation or within six months thereafter. Click here: Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Bill 2025
The LEGENDcom update incorporates key regulatory and legislative changes affecting registered migration agents, effective from 1 April 2026. The following legislative instruments and regulations are included: These changes introduce updated professional standards, revised CPD requirements, and new registration criteria, ensuring the regulatory framework remains aligned with current industry practices and expectations. The LEGENDcom update ensures that all relevant policy and procedural guidance reflects these legislative changes, supporting consistent application across the migration advice sector.
The New South Wales and Victorian Governments have released important updates on skilled visa invitation rounds and business visa nomination requirements, providing key timelines and compliance expectations for applicants. NSW – Skilled Visa Invitation Rounds The New South Wales Government has confirmed upcoming invitation rounds for skilled migration visas: Applicants should ensure their profiles accurately reflect their qualifications and eligibility to maximise invitation prospects. Victoria – Sc 888 & Sc 188 Extension Stream Nominations The Victorian Government continues to accept nominations for all Subclass 888 visa streams and the Subclass 188 Extension stream; however, it has noted that many recent applications do not meet eligibility criteria. Key requirements include: Information Session To support applicants, the Victorian Government will host an information session on Monday, 13 April 2026, focusing on Subclass 188 extension and Subclass 888 nomination requirements, including eligibility and application processes. These updates highlight the importance of timely EOI updates and strict compliance with nomination criteria, particularly as states manage limited allocations and increasing application volumes. Click here: Business visa – Priority processing request Information session – Victorian Business Innovation & Investment Nom requirements
The Department of Home Affairs has released an update on Partner visa processing. The update outlines key changes to current Partner visa processing practices. It highlights key areas such as common issues that contribute to processing delays, updated evidentiary expectations, and guidance on appropriate communication with the Partner visa team. These updates are intended to help applicants and representatives prepare complete and well-organised applications to support efficient processing. It also outlines important information regarding permanent partner visa eligibility and ongoing sponsor obligations. Applicants are encouraged to review these updates carefully to ensure they meet all requirements and avoid unnecessary delays. Click here: Partner Processing Newsletter
The Department of Home Affairs has expanded the Australian Immi App to improve accessibility for visa applicants. From 24 March 2026, the app is now available in 47 countries, providing a faster and more efficient way to submit passport details and facial biometrics without needing to attend a biometric collection centre in many cases. The app is now available in 13 additional countries: For more information click here
The addition of Child Care Worker (not Group Leader) and Out of School Hours Care Worker to the Combined Skilled Occupation List (CSOL) has led to updates under the FNQ DAMA. These changes align the skills, qualifications, and experience requirements for these occupations with standard skilled migration programs where occupations appear across multiple lists. As a result, any new or recently executed FNQ DAMA labour agreements that include these roles will have revised requirements compared to earlier agreements. The Cairns Chamber of Commerce has updated the FNQ DAMA Occupation and Concession List, along with the FNQ DAMA Information Guide, to reflect these changes. These updates ensure consistency and clarity for employers and applicants using the FNQ DAMA program. Click here: Cairns Chamber of Commerce
The Australian Government has introduced travel restrictions for certain visa holders and changes to skills assessing authorities for specific occupations. New measures affect offshore Iranian Visitor (Subclass 600) visa holders, while separate amendments update assessing authorities for Surveyor and Information and Organisation Professionals NEC occupations. Arrival Control Determination (Subclass 600 – Iranian passport holders) A new determination, effective from 26 March 2026, temporarily suspends the validity of Visitor (Subclass 600) visas for certain offshore applicants who applied using an Iranian passport. This applies only to individuals who were outside Australia at the time the determination commenced. Affected visa holders will not receive refunds unless they meet specific criteria. Exemptions: PTC (Permitted Travel Certificate): A request for a Permitted Travel Certificate (PTC) can be made through the Department’s Arrival Control Determination Portal. Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis and are only granted in limited circumstances. These may include individuals who are the parent of an Australian citizen or can demonstrate a genuine intention to stay in Australia temporarily. A PTC request must include a strong submission with supporting evidence. Further details on required documentation are available on the Department’s website. Requests should be lodged: Individuals who are granted a PTC may travel to Australia if they hold a valid visa. However, they must also provide evidence that travel restrictions do not apply to them before departure. Arrival Control Determination Check Before travelling, individuals should check whether their Visitor visa has been affected. This can be done by requesting an Arrival Control Determination check through the Department of Home Affairs’ Arrival Control Determination Portal. Skills Assessing Authority Updates The Migration Legislation Amendment (Assessing Authorities) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/027) introduces important updates to the Institution of Surveyors New South Wales Ltd (ISNSW) as the assessing authority specified for the occupation of Surveyor. All changes under this instrument come into effect from 28 March 2026. Surveyor Occupation (ANZSCO 232212) The Institution of Surveyors New South Wales Ltd (ISNSW) is now the official assessing authority, as announced in October 2025. This follows the liquidation of the Geospatial Council of Australia (GCA) on 21 August 2025. Transitional arrangements: Transitional arrangements provide that applications made on or after 8 October 2025 fall under ISNSW. Applicants who obtained skills assessments from GCA on or before 21 August 2025 may continue to use those assessments to support visa applications lodged before, on, or after 28 March 2026. Clarification has been made regarding assessing authorities, with VETASSESS designated as the primary authority, while ACS will assess applicants applying specifically as Data Scientists. This amendment applies to applications lodged but not finalised on or after 14 December 2024. Click here: Migration (Arrival Control) Determination 2026 Arrival Control Determination (ACD) Checks Migration Legislation Amendment (Assessing Authorities) Instrument 2026
LEGENDcom reflects legislative amendments introduced under the Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Act 2026, which expand the Minister’s authority to manage travel restrictions during periods of international risk. These changes strengthen the Government’s ability to respond quickly to international developments affecting travel. The updates reflect a broader shift toward proactive migration management. Amendments to the Migration Act 1958, effective 14 March 2026, provide the Minister for Immigration with the authority to temporarily restrict entry into Australia for certain offshore temporary visa holders. These provisions are intended to support a more responsive and flexible approach to international risks, including emergencies and disruptions affecting travel and border operations. The LEGENDcom update also includes revisions to several Policy and Procedural Instructions (PI) including: These updates ensure that operational guidance remains consistent with current legislation, supporting accurate and informed decision-making across migration and health assessment processes. Click here: Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Act 2026
The Migration Legislation Amendment (Annual Market Salary Rate) Instrument 2026 introduces updated methods for determining the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR). These changes provide greater scope for employers when assessing market salary rates. The amendments provide flexibility in determining the AMSR in circumstances where there is a relevant Fair Work instrument, state industrial instrument, or transitional instrument. The amendments allow for the use of an alternative methodology for determining the AMSR, based on either relevant employment documents where there is an equivalent Australian worker, or on relevant information where there is no equivalent Australian worker. If a Fair Work, state, or transitional industrial instrument applies, AMSR will generally follow that instrument. Alternatively, employers may use employment documents of an equivalent Australian worker, as long as the salary is not lower than the instrument rate. If no equivalent worker exists, relevant market information can be used, provided it meets the minimum set by the instrument. If no industrial instrument applies, AMSR will be based on employment documents where an equivalent Australian worker exists, or on relevant market information where no equivalent worker is available. The instrument applies to nominations under Subclass 482, 494, 186, and 187 visas. It commenced on 25 March 2026 and applies to all pending and new nomination applications from that date. Click here: Migration Legislation Amendment (Annual Market Salary Rate) Instrument 2026
OMARA issued a communication this week to all Registered Migration Agents (RMAs) outlining four new legislative instruments that introduce minor amendments to the RMA regulatory framework. The full details of the communication are provided below: “Dear Registered Migration Agent As you are aware, four new legislative instruments and some consequential changes to the Migration Agents Code of Conduct Regulations 2021 (Cth) will commence on 1 April 2026. These instruments are: The new instruments have been amended to include contemporary language and updated references. These changes will impact both existing RMAs and people seeking registration as an RMA. Changes for existing RMAs There are changes to the regulatory framework for RMAs. These includes the following important updates to CPD requirements: Transitional provisions will apply in relation to these legislative changes. Changes for people seeking registration as an RMA There are changes to the regulatory framework for people wanting to become an RMA. This includes changes to the approved list of education providers. These providers deliver courses and exams to register as a migration agent. There are also changes to the English language requirements and the publishing of a Notice of Intention to register as a migration agent. For further details please see Legislative updates.”