Fastrack visas

SC 407 Validity Changes
The Migration Amendment (Training Visas—Sponsorship Requirements) Regulations 2026 introduces important updates to Schedule 1 for the Subclass 407 Training Visa.
Under these amendments, table items 4 and 5 in subclause 1238(3) have been repealed and replaced. A valid Subclass 407 visa application will now require:
• An approved Temporary Activities Sponsor; and
• If the sponsor is not a Commonwealth agency, the applicant must also have a current, approved nomination for a program of occupational training.
The instrument was registered on the Federal Register of Legislation yesterday. These changes take effect from 11 March 2026 and apply to all Subclass 407 visa applications lodged on or after that date.
This means that from today, we cannot lodge a 407 visa application until the 407 nomination has been approved.

From 1 December 2021, Australia will also welcome back fully vaccinated citizens from Japan and the Republic of Korea. Under these arrangements, citizens of Japan and the Republic of Korea who hold a valid Australian visa will be able to travel from their home country quarantine-free to participating states and territories, without needing to seek a travel exemption.

Applicants who have been s48 barred ...

The Subclasses 190, 491 and 494 have been added to this list of visa classes to allow applicants who have been nominated or invited by states and territories or for regional visas but who are currently s48 barred, to apply onshore.

Commences on 13 November 2021.

Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2021 Measures No. 2) Regulations 2021 F2021L01483

Regional Skilled Migration (190, 491) WA
The Government has changed the State nomination ranking system.

Migration WA - Skilled Migration ​The Western Australian skilled migration occupation list (WASMOL), which lists occupations available for WA State nomination through the General stream, has expanded to include a Schedule 1 and Schedule 2.

Tourism and Hospitality sector
The Tourism and Hospitality sector was added to the list of critical sectors for the SC 408 'COVID pandemic stream' visa.

immi.homeaffairs.gov.au This temporary visa lets you stay in Australia to work if you are employed in a critical industry.

More support for the Australian tourism and hospitality sector

More support for the Australian tourism and hospitality sector The Morrison Government is increasing support for Australia’s tourism and hospitality sector by providing more visa flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Student visa arrangements for those impacted by COVID

The Hon Ministers Alan Tudge and Dan Tehan have released a joint media statement outlining the arrangements to be put in place for student visa applicants and student visa holders who have been impacted by the COVID-19 travel restrictions.

The release notes the following:

1.Grants of student visas in all locations lodged outside Australia will recommence, so visa holders will be ready to travel when borders reopen
2.Free VACs for international students who lodge further student visa applications, if they were unable to complete their studies within their original visa validity due to COVID-19
3.Current student visa holders studying online outside Australia due to COVID-19 will be have that study counted towards the Australian study requirement for a post-study work visa
4.Graduates who held a student visa will be eligible to apply for a post-study work visa outside Australia, if they are unable to return due to COVID-19
5.Additional time will be given for applicants to provide English language results where COVID-19 has disrupted access to these services

Note; Some of these measures need legislation to be changed and you should check back regularly for more information at the Government's websites.

https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/alantudge/Pages/supporting-international-students-support-australian-jobs.aspx
https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/student-visa

Joint media release - Supporting international students to support Australian jobs The Morrison Government is making a number of changes to student visa arrangements to ensure Australia remains a priority destination for international students as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/current-alerts/novel-coronavirus

Novel coronavirus

Department of Home Affairs - System Outage
The Department's systems will be unavailable between 5pm AEST (4.30 ACST; 3pm AWST) Sunday 30th June and 6am AEST Monday 1st July 2019 for maintenance and updates related to 1 July 2019 legislative changes.
https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/archive/article?itemId=246

News

The Government is increasing the base visa application charge (VAC) for all visa subclasses, with the exception of the Visitor (subclass 600) visa, by 5.4 per cent from 1 July 2019. There will be no increase to second instalment VACs. This measure is estimated to increase revenue by $275.0 million over the period from 2018-19 to 2021-22. Provision for this revenue increase has already been included in the forward estimates.