For many skilled migrants dreaming of building a future in Australia, Tasmania continues to offer something that is becoming increasingly difficult to find elsewhere: opportunity, lifestyle, community and a genuine sense of belonging. The Tasmanian Skilled Migration State Nomination Program will reopen to new Registrations of Interest (ROIs) from Monday, 17 August 2026, with the […]
Connecting migration policy, data and workforce strategy. On 25 July 2026, the Australian Government introduced Ministerial Direction No. 119 (MD119), replacing Ministerial Direction 105 and changing the order in which many skilled visa applications are processed by the Department of Home Affairs. While much of the discussion has focused on what changed, the more important […]
Last month, Julie Williams (Managing Director) and Alice Wang (Principal Migration Agent) travelled to Darwin welcome a group of skilled workers from Indonesia who have been sponsored through an Aged Care Specific Labour Agreement to work in very remote areas of the Northern Territory. And somewhere between the sunsets, crocodiles and warm Darwin weather, one […]
Everything You Need to Know About Australian Migration Professionals Why Do Migration Professional Fees Vary? Migration professional fees can vary significantly, and there are good reasons for this. Australian visa applications, sponsorships, nominations and citizenship matters are governed by complex legislation, including the Migration Act 1958, Migration Regulations 1994, and Departmental policy. The level of […]
Australia’s employer-sponsored migration program changed significantly from 1 July 2026, with three key developments affecting employers and sponsored workers: increased visa application charges, indexed skilled migration income thresholds, and an increase to the Fair Work High Income Threshold relevant to certain permanent residence applicants. Employers and sponsored workers should ensure they understand these changes when […]
The Federal Budget for 2026–27 provides welcome clarity on Australia’s migration settings for the year ahead. While there are no major shifts in overall numbers, the detail reveals a program that is increasingly targeted, more competitive, and more complex for both employers and applicants to navigate. Migration Program Numbers – Stability with Strategic Focus The […]
From 18 May 2026, the Australian government introduced important changes to how visa refusal reviews are handled by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). These reforms are particularly relevant for people applying for or appealing temporary visas, in particular student visas. What has changed? The key reform is the introduction of a new “on the papers” […]
The Federal Government has kept Australia’s permanent Migration Program at 185,000 places, maintaining the 70% skilled / 30% family split, with a strong continued focus on onshore applicants. Around 70% of places (129,590) will be allocated to people already living in Australia, while offshore places will prioritise highly skilled migrants to meet long‑term workforce needs. […]
I (Julie Williams) attended the MIA (‘Migration Institute of Australia’) Regional Conference on the Gold Coast, and the discussions reinforced just how complex and varied Australia’s regional migration landscape has become. One question kept surfacing throughout the day: what do we really mean by “regional”? Is it reasonable that places as diverse as the Gold […]
Valentine’s Day is often associated with romantic love — but love comes in many forms. It’s the love we share with our partners, our families, our friends, and yes, even our furry companions. Love is powerful, emotional, and deeply personal. It’s what connects us, grounds us, and gives meaning to our lives — no matter […]
