Each entry has the date it took effect (or was announced), its status and a source. Where a change is announced but not yet law, we say so. Always check the official page before you act.
Information checked 22 October 2026
Latest updates
Recent news from official sources.
Recent changes from official sources, newest first. The dated register of rule changes follows below.
In force
Where Home Affairs is up to with skilled visa processing (189, 190 and 491)
Home Affairs processes Skilled Independent (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) applications in the priority order set by Ministerial Direction No. 122. On 30 October 2026 its visa pages showed it was processing 189 applications lodged in or before June 2026 for priority sectors and for applicants who were in Australia when they applied, and November 2025 for applicants outside Australia. For 190 the dates were March 2026 for priority sectors, January 2026 for applicants in Australia and February 2025 for applicants outside Australia; for 491 they were March 2025 for priority sectors and applicants in Australia and February 2025 for applicants outside Australia. The priority sectors are construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources, plus law enforcement and defence interests, and the Department says dates may fluctuate during the transition.
Who is affected
People who have already lodged a 189, 190 or 491 visa application, and people deciding whether to lodge from inside or outside Australia.
What to do
Keep your contact details, health, police and English documents current in ImmiAccount so you can respond quickly when your application is reached. These dates show where the queue is up to, not how long your own application will take; your registered migration agent can explain how the priority groups apply to you.
New character rules: Ministerial Direction 123 starts on 31 October 2026
Ministerial Direction 123, signed by the Minister for Home Affairs on 18 September 2026, replaces Direction 110 and applies to every character based visa refusal, cancellation and revocation request decided on or after 31 October 2026, whenever the application was lodged. It reduces the primary considerations from five to four, moves a person's ties to Australia (such as long residence or family) from a primary to an other consideration, and removes the impact on Australian business interests as a factor. It also broadens the meaning of domestic and family violence (including coercive control, stalking, psychological and economic abuse, image based abuse and breaches of court orders), asks whether a person might, rather than would, offend again, and adds hate and extremism conduct, including public and online endorsement, in line with the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Act 2026. The full text was not yet on the Department's website when we checked on 29 October 2026, so this summary is based on published reports by Australian migration law practitioners and will be updated when the official text appears.
Who is affected
Visa applicants and visa holders who have a criminal record, past or current charges, family violence or court order history, or links to hate or extremist conduct, and anyone who has received a notice of intention to refuse or cancel a visa on character grounds or is seeking revocation of a mandatory cancellation. Long term residents can no longer rely as heavily on their ties to Australia.
What to do
If you have any character concern, declare it fully and honestly in every application and get advice before you lodge. If you have received a character notice or a cancellation, respond within the time stated in the letter, because the new rules apply to decisions made from 31 October 2026. Your registered migration agent can explain how the new direction applies to your circumstances.
Federal Court: findings of guilt without a conviction can still matter for citizenship
On 28 October 2026 the Federal Court dismissed an appeal against an Administrative Review Tribunal decision that refused Australian citizenship by conferral on good character grounds. The applicant had findings of guilt recorded without a conviction, and the Tribunal also found the applicant had deliberately withheld information about the offending. The Court found no appellable error in how the Tribunal took that conduct into account under the spent convictions rules in the Crimes Act.
Who is affected
Permanent residents applying for Australian citizenship by conferral who have any past offending, including matters dealt with without a conviction being recorded.
What to do
Disclose all offending, charges and court outcomes in your citizenship application, even where no conviction was recorded, and keep your court documents. If you are unsure what must be declared, get advice before you apply.
Federal Court upholds cancellation of a migration agent who lodged nominations without employers knowing
On 28 October 2026 the Federal Court dismissed an appeal by a former registered migration agent whose registration was cancelled after nomination applications were lodged for sponsoring businesses that knew nothing about them. The Court accepted that those businesses were the agent's clients and that the agent had given them immigration assistance, so the Code of Conduct applied. The Tribunal's finding that the agent was not a fit and proper person to give immigration assistance stands.
Who is affected
Employers who sponsor or nominate workers, and visa applicants in employer sponsored pathways.
What to do
Employers should check that any nomination lodged in the business name was authorised, and keep copies of what was lodged. Before engaging anyone for visa help, check that they appear on the Register of Migration Agents and that they give you a written agreement and the Consumer Guide.
Visa applicants in India may now be asked for biometrics
From 26 October 2026, people who apply for an Australian visa in India may be asked to give biometrics: a facial image and scans of all ten fingertips. The Department tells you if you need to and sends a request letter with instructions, usually after you lodge. Most people then book an appointment at one of 16 VFS Global Australian Biometrics Collection Centres in India, which charge a service fee; some eligible people can use the Australian Immi App instead. The change applies only to new applications lodged from 26 October 2026, not to applications already lodged.
Who is affected
People who lodge a new Australian visa application in India from 26 October 2026 and receive a biometrics request from the Department. Not everyone will be asked.
What to do
Do not book an appointment until you receive the request letter. When it arrives, book quickly using the instructions in the letter, take the passport linked to your application, and plan for an extra appointment and the VFS Global service fee. Your registered migration agent can explain how it applies to you.
Victoria has opened its 2026-27 skilled nomination program for Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) Registrations of Interest. Victoria says it has been provided 900 subclass 190 places for 2026-27. Its subclass 491 places are not yet finalised, and 491 Registrations of Interest are not being accepted yet.
Who is affected
Skilled workers living in Victoria or overseas who want Victorian nomination for a subclass 190 visa. People hoping for Victorian 491 nomination need to wait for a further announcement.
What to do
Check the Victorian requirements, keep your SkillSelect EOI up to date and make sure your English test and skills assessment will still be valid. A Registration of Interest is not an application and does not guarantee an invitation; your registered migration agent can explain how it applies to you.
Migration Tasmania invited 38 Registrations of Interest for subclass 190 and 32 for subclass 491 on 23 October 2026. The lowest scores invited were 317 points for 190 and 76 points for 491. After the round, 902 subclass 190 and 670 subclass 491 places were still available.
Who is affected
People with a Registration of Interest for Tasmanian nomination.
What to do
Keep your Registration of Interest and SkillSelect EOI up to date. Your registered migration agent can explain how the Tasmanian priority attributes apply to you.
Australia Travel Declaration web form at Western Sydney International Airport
From 26 October 2026, travellers arriving at Western Sydney International Airport on any airline can use the web-based Australia Travel Declaration instead of the paper incoming passenger card. It can be completed up to 72 hours before travel and gives one QR code. The government says it will be rolled out to all international airports and seaports over the next 12 to 18 months, and the paper card remains available.
Who is affected
International travellers arriving in Australia through Western Sydney International Airport.
What to do
If you are flying into Western Sydney International, you can complete the declaration online before you travel, or use the paper card on arrival.
South Australia opens its 2026-27 skilled nomination program
South Australia has opened its 2026-27 General Skilled Migration program for subclass 190 and 491. People living and working in South Australia whose visa expires by 31 January 2027 can lodge a Registration of Interest; offshore candidates are invited from SkillSelect. Invitations focus on building and construction, defence, education, engineering, health and manufacturing.
Who is affected
Skilled workers in South Australia and offshore candidates who select South Australia in SkillSelect.
What to do
Check the 2026-27 South Australian Skilled Occupation List and the eligibility rules before you lodge a Registration of Interest. Your registered migration agent can explain how it applies to you.
New law lets Home Affairs publish information about approved work sponsors
The Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Act 2026 has commenced, and the updated Migration Act was registered on 14 October 2026. It allows the Department to publish information about approved work sponsors on its website, such as the kind of sponsor, its name, ABN and postcode, how many nominations it has made and the kinds of occupations nominated. The exact details to be published are set by regulations, and personal identifiers cannot be published.
Who is affected
Businesses that are approved work sponsors, and workers on or considering employer sponsored visas such as the 482, 186 and 494.
What to do
Sponsors should make sure their business details and nominations are accurate. Workers can use published information, once available, to check that an employer offering sponsorship is genuinely approved. Never pay an employer or anyone else for a sponsorship or job offer.
Home Affairs reminds visa holders to keep adequate health insurance
On 6 October 2026 Home Affairs updated its guidance on adequate health insurance for visa applicants and visa holders and released a new factsheet. Most temporary visa holders and visitors are not eligible for Medicare, so they may have to pay all their healthcare costs in Australia. Depending on the visa, holding suitable health insurance can also be a visa condition.
Who is affected
Students, visitors, working holiday makers, sponsored workers, parents on temporary visas and anyone else in Australia on a temporary visa.
What to do
Check whether your visa has a health insurance condition, keep your cover active for your whole stay, and read the Department's factsheet. Parents and relatives visiting from overseas should arrange cover before they travel.
From 2 October 2026, new rules apply to Student (subclass 500) and Student Guardian (subclass 590) visas. The rules change who can apply for and be granted these visas while in Australia, and whether family members can be included in a Student visa application or join later. Home Affairs says Australia continues to welcome international students and you can still apply if you meet the requirements.
Who is affected
People in Australia who want to apply for a Student visa, Student visa holders applying for another Student visa, and students who want to include or later bring family members.
What to do
Before you change course, travel or plan a new application, check the Department's fact sheet and decision trees on applying in Australia and including family. Your registered migration agent can check whether you can still apply from inside Australia.
Permanent residents: check your travel facility before you leave Australia
Home Affairs has warned that a permanent visa does not let you re-enter Australia without a valid travel facility, which usually lasts one or five years. If it has expired or will expire while you are overseas, you need a Resident Return visa before you can return, and airlines cannot board you without one. Returning on a Visitor visa or ETA instead can affect your permanent residence, citizenship eligibility and entitlements such as Medicare.
Who is affected
Permanent residents planning to travel overseas, especially for long trips home to see family.
What to do
Check your travel facility end date and passport link in VEVO before you book, and apply early for a Resident Return visa if it will run out before you come back. If you are eligible, consider applying for Australian citizenship.
Canada: Express Entry points for high-wage occupations
Announced in October 2026 to start on 3 November 2026: new ranking points for Canadian work experience or a qualifying job offer in high-wage occupations, with no labour market impact assessment needed for a qualifying offer.
A new law in force from 8 October 2026 allows the Department to publish prescribed information about approved work sponsors, such as the kind of sponsor, name, ABN and number of nominations, once regulations prescribe it. It never allows personal identifiers to be published.
Student visas: onshore applications and family members
Most temporary visa holders, including most Student visa holders, can no longer lodge a Student or Student Guardian visa application in Australia. Most Student visa applicants can no longer include family members, and family cannot be added after grant. Exemptions include some students staying up to 12 more months with the same provider, PhD and school students, and DFAT or Defence sponsored students. Applications lodged before 2 October 2026 follow the old rules.
Two new Ministerial Directions (numbers 121 and 122) set the processing order for Skills in Demand and for permanent and provisional skilled visas. Construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, resources, law enforcement and defence occupations come first, then onshore applicants.
The Minister said the points test has been redone. No new table, pass mark or start date has been published. The current points table and 65 point pass mark still apply.
The Home Secretary said the revised earned settlement policy will be published before the end of 2026. No rules have been laid. Current five-year settlement routes remain.
Proposed
Source: UK Parliament, Home Affairs Committee
New Zealand: Skilled Migrant Category changes
More points for New Zealand qualifications and recent New Zealand work, and new Trades and Technician and Skilled Work Experience pathways.
A new Ministerial Direction (number 117) for family visas gives the highest priority to applications made in Australia for visas that can be granted in Australia.
Most visa application charges rose by about 25 per cent. Examples for the main applicant: Student A$2,500; Skills in Demand A$4,015; subclasses 186 and 494 A$6,140; Temporary Graduate A$5,750; citizenship by conferral A$595.
For nominations lodged from 1 July 2026: Core Skills income threshold A$79,423 (also used for subclass 186 and, as the temporary skilled migration income threshold, for subclass 494), and Specialist Skills income threshold A$146,576.
Higher penalties for unregistered immigration assistance
The Commonwealth penalty unit rose to A$364. Giving immigration assistance while not registered can now attract an infringement notice of 12 penalty units (A$4,368) as an alternative to prosecution. Charging a fee for it while unregistered remains an offence with a maximum of 10 years' imprisonment.
New Regulations replaced the Migration Agents Regulations 1998. The OMARA register now shows each agent's website address, mailing address and email. Each year an agent's professional development must include one point of Ethics and one point of Code of Conduct training. Professional indemnity insurance of at least A$250,000 is required. The Code of Conduct itself received only minor consequential amendments.
The Minister, with the written agreement of the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, can stop specified groups of temporary visa holders who are outside Australia from travelling here for up to six months. Permanent visa holders and people already in Australia are exempt.
Categories continue for French, healthcare and social services, trades, STEM and education, with new categories for physicians, researchers and senior managers with Canadian experience, transport and military recruits.
In force
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
USA: entry restrictions by nationality
Full suspension of entry for nationals of 19 countries and partial restrictions for 20 more.
For applications lodged from 14 November 2025, a new Ministerial Direction (number 115) sets the processing order for offshore Student visa applications by each provider's share of its allocation.
C1 Advanced, CELPIP General, IELTS Academic and General Training, LanguageCert Academic, MET, OET, PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT, taken at a secure test centre. At-home tests are not accepted. Tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 may be usable until 6 August 2028 depending on the visa.
Degree-level roles, a general salary threshold of £41,700 plus the going rate, and the end of overseas recruitment for care workers.
In force
Source: UK Government
Skills in Demand visa starts
The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) began, with Specialist Skills, Core Skills and Labour Agreement streams and a one-year work experience requirement. The National Innovation visa (subclass 858) also began in December 2024, by invitation only.
New offences for coercing or pressuring temporary visa holders into breaching their work conditions, employer prohibition notices, and a public list of prohibited employers.
