Immigration Updates

From 1 July 2026, CSIT and TSMIT rose to $79,423 and SSIT to $146,576 for new nominations under subclasses 482, 186, 494 and 187. Existing visa holders are not affected.

New visa application charges and citizenship fees apply to applications made on or after 1 July 2026, with lower charges for holders of passports from 13 Pacific-regional countries.

From 1 July 2026, the 417 age limit rose to 35 for Cyprus, Finland, Germany and Korea, age is checked at lodgement for 417 and 462 visas, and Uruguay's 462 cap grew to 1,500.

Media report (not official): SBS compares party positions after ABS data showed net overseas migration of about 301,000 in 2025. It outlines Labor's 225,000 target, the Coalition's housing-linked approach, One Nation's hard cap and the Greens' opposition to overall cuts.

Data released in June 2026 showed annual Net Overseas Migration to December 2025 at 301,000, down 9% on the previous year, with temporary visa holder and student numbers both lower.

From 1 July 2026, subclass 202 Community Support Program applications are subject to annual caps for each Approved Proposing Organisation, and applicants can now switch organisation before a decision.

Media report (not official): ABC reports the High Court allowed a former detainee to pursue a false imprisonment claim over detention before the NZYQ decision, rejecting the Commonwealth's immunity argument. Experts quoted suggest hundreds of former detainees could bring similar claims.

From 1 June 2026, the Administrative Review Tribunal decides most student visa refusal reviews on written material without a hearing, with strict timeframes for submissions and responses.

Media report (not official): ABC reports the government has paused new applications from private VET and English-language colleges seeking to enrol international students for 12 months. Universities and TAFEs are not affected, and existing approved providers can still expand.

The 2026-27 Permanent Migration Program stays at 185,000 places, with 129,590 for people already in Australia and more Employer-Sponsored and Skilled Independent places.