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Migration Choice Pty Ltd, Suite 508/147 Pirie Street, Adelaide (2026)

02/08/2026

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 – 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 (𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟭𝟵)

The Australian Government has introduced Ministerial Direction 119, which came into effect on 25 July 2026. The Direction replaces the previous Ministerial Direction 105 and changes the order in which certain skilled visa and nomination applications are processed by the Department of Home Affairs. It applies to a range of skilled visa subclasses, including 𝟰𝟴𝟮, 𝟭𝟴𝟲, 𝟭𝟴𝟵, 𝟭𝟵𝟬, 𝟭𝟵𝟭, 𝟰𝟵𝟭 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟰𝟵𝟰 (among others).

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱?

Under the new Direction, skilled visa and nomination applications will generally be processed in the following order:

1️⃣ Onshore law enforcement and defence occupations
2️⃣ Offshore law enforcement and defence occupations
3️⃣ Onshore healthcare, teaching and construction occupations
4️⃣ All other onshore applications
5️⃣ All other offshore applications

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Compared with the previous processing priorities, there are several significant changes:

✔ Construction occupations have now been added to the priority occupation list alongside healthcare and teaching.

✔ Regional employer-sponsored applications are no longer automatically prioritised. Under the previous Direction, regional employer-sponsored visas received the highest processing priority.

✔ Accredited sponsor priority has been removed. Previously, applications lodged by accredited sponsors received preferential processing.

✔ Onshore applications are now prioritised ahead of offshore applications (except for law enforcement and defence occupations).

✔ The new Direction also applies to the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) program, which was not covered under the previous Direction.

𝗔𝗻 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲

The new Ministerial Direction applies 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝗱𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟱 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝗱𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻. In other words, pending applications will now be re-ordered according to the new processing priorities, rather than the priorities that existed when they were lodged.

I appreciate that this may seem unfair to some applicants who have already been waiting many months for a decision. However, this is how Ministerial Directions operate—they determine the order in which the Department considers applications, and a new Direction can change the processing priority of applications that are already in the queue.

It will be interesting to see how these new priorities affect processing times over the coming months, particularly for regional employer-sponsored visa applications, which no longer receive priority under the new Direction.

29/06/2026

📢 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀 – 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗺 𝗪𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗢𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

The Fair Work Commission has announced its 2026 Annual Wage Review decision.

From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026:

✔ The National Minimum Wages will increase to $𝟭,𝟬𝟬𝟰.𝟵𝟬 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗿 $𝟮𝟲.𝟰𝟰 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿.

✔ Minimum award wages will increase by 𝟰.𝟳𝟱%. Employers should review the applicable modern award to ensure employees are paid the correct minimum rates. More information is available on the Fair Work Ombudsman website:
https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/workplace-laws/annual-wage-review/annual-wage-review-2026

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀?

For businesses sponsoring employees under employer-sponsored visa programs such as 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝟰𝟴𝟮, 𝟭𝟴𝟲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟰𝟵𝟰, this wage increase is more than just an employment law issue—it may also affect your migration law obligations.

There are two key areas that employers should review:

1️⃣ 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱

If a sponsored employee's salary is based on the applicable award rate, their salary should be increased in line with the new award wages. This is important not only to comply with the Fair Work Act, but also to ensure the employee continues to receive the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) required under Australia's migration laws.

2️⃣ 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀

Many sponsored employees receive an annual salary that is intended to cover ordinary hours, overtime, penalty rates, weekend work and public holiday payments.

Even if the employee is paid above the minimum award rate, employers should still review the salary arrangement. Once award rates increase, the annualised salary may no longer leave the employee 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹 after taking into account the increased overtime, penalty rates and other award entitlements.

𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

One of the key obligations of approved sponsors is to ensure that sponsored workers receive 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 to Australian workers performing the same role. Reviewing employee salaries following the Annual Wage Review is an important step in maintaining compliance with both 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘄𝘀 and 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗮𝘄𝘀.

If you sponsor overseas workers and are unsure whether your current salary arrangements remain compliant, it is worthwhile reviewing them before the new rates take effect.

24/06/2026

𝟭𝟴𝟵 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮 – 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀

The Department of Home Affairs has published the results of the latest Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa invitation round that occurred on 𝟬𝟰/𝟬𝟲/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

The results continue to highlight the Government's strong focus on addressing Australia's skills shortages, with invitations spread across a broad range of occupations.

🔎 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀

🩺 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱, with strong invitation numbers for Registered Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Medical Diagnostic Radiographers and other allied health occupations.

🏗️ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹. Carpenters, Electricians, Plasterers, Wall and Floor Tilers, Bricklayers and Plumbers were among the occupations invited, with some trades receiving invitations from as low as 65 points.

👩‍🏫 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿, particularly Early Childhood Teachers and Secondary School Teachers, reflecting ongoing workforce shortages in the education sector.

⚙️ 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, although competition remains strong. Occupations such as Civil Engineers, Electronics Engineers and Telecommunications Engineers generally required significantly higher points.

💡 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱

The latest round demonstrates that Australia's skilled migration program continues to prioritise occupations experiencing genuine labour shortages, particularly in 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀, 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴.

For applicants in these sectors, the Subclass 189 visa remains an attractive pathway to permanent residence. However, competition remains intense, and maintaining a competitive points score and up-to-date Expression of Interest (EOI) is more important than ever.

Full invitation round results are available on the Department of Home Affairs website:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skillselect/invitation-rounds

15/06/2026

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 (𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲)

We've had some excellent outcomes over the past few weeks, with approvals received for a range of visa categories, including Parent visas, Partner visas, 191 visas, and of course employer sponsored visas (186 and 482).

One of the most challenging cases involved a 482 visa application for a hairdresser. Financial capacity is always a critical consideration in employer sponsored visa applications, as the Department needs to be satisfied that the sponsoring business is in a sound financial position to employ overseas workers. As many hair salons in Australia operate on a relatively small scale, financial capacity can often become a key issue.

In this particular case, we had to provide updated financial documents from the employer on several occasions throughout the process. Despite taking almost nine months to finalise, the application was approved without any further requests for information. Needless to say, it was a huge relief for everyone involved.

Employer sponsored visas are taking considerably longer to process these days. As a result, it is increasingly important to provide the Department with updated business documents during the processing period. Doing so may reduce the need for additional requests when the file is eventually allocated to a case officer, potentially helping to avoid further delays.

𝟰𝟬𝟳 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

On another note, the Australian Border Force (ABF) has launched a nationwide compliance operation aimed at strengthening oversight of the 407 Training Visa program.

The four-month operation, led by the Department's Sponsor Monitoring Unit, is focused on identifying employers involved in fraudulent training arrangements and other practices that undermine the integrity of the visa system and exploit migrant workers.

During the first month of the operation, ABF officers conducted more than 100 site visits across six states and territories. Early findings have revealed a number of compliance concerns, including employers lacking genuine training plans and trainees being placed in roles unrelated to their approved training programs.

These developments serve as an important reminder that the 407 visa is intended for genuine workplace-based training. Employers and applicants should ensure that training arrangements are properly structured and fully compliant with the program requirements.

As always, we are grateful for the trust our clients place in us and are delighted to have helped them achieve their migration goals. We look forward to continuing to assist both employers and visa applicants with their Australian migration journey.

27/03/2026

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 — 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀

The Migration (Arrival Control) Determination 2026 (LIN 26/040) commenced on 26 March 2026 and will remain in force for 6 months. Under this determination, certain 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 (𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝟲𝟬𝟬) 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 will have their visa temporarily cease to be in effect, unless an exemption applies.

This measure applies where the person:

• was outside Australia when the determination commenced on 26 March 2026
• holds a Visitor (subclass 600) visa, and
• is recorded by the Department as having used a passport issued by the Islamic Republic of Iran when applying for that visa.

Importantly, this does not affect all Iranian temporary visa holders. At this stage, it applies only to the specific group described above. It also does not apply to Iranian Visitor visa holders who were already in Australia when the determination commenced.

𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

The determination does not apply to the following Visitor visa holders with Iranian passports:

• the spouse, de facto partner, or dependent child of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent visa holder, or an Australian resident who is not subject to a time limitation (such as a New Zealand citizen)
• the parent of a child under 18 who is in Australia
• a person who was in Australia when the determination commenced
• a person who holds a Permitted Travel Certificate (PTC) that is in force.

The Department has also stated that affected travellers may request a 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 through its secure online portal, and that requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis in limited circumstances.

A request for a PTC can be made here:
https://acdchecks.homeaffairs.gov.au/tep

12/03/2026

#𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 — 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟰𝟬𝟳 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮

There have been important legislative changes affecting the Subclass 407 Training Visa.

Under the new amendments, 𝗮 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱 𝟰𝟬𝟳 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗱𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱.

Previously, sponsors and applicants were able to lodge the Sponsorship, Nomination and Visa applications at the same time, which allowed the visa applicant to obtain a Bridging Visa while the application was being processed.

These changes took effect on 11 March 2026 and apply to all Subclass 407 visa applications lodged on or after that date.

This change will significantly affect application strategy, timing, and may create practical difficulties for applicants who are relying on a Bridging Visa to remain lawful in Australia.

01/03/2026

📢 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 — 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Here are some important recent updates in the migration space:

1️⃣ 𝟰𝟴𝟱 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗲𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲

From 1 March 2026, the Subclass 485 visa application fee has increased to $𝟰,𝟲𝟬𝟬.

This is a significant jump and will impact many recent graduates planning to apply.

2️⃣ 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗿-𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀

From 1 July 2026, updated income thresholds will apply to employer-sponsored visas (Subclass 482, 186 and 494):

✅Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT): $𝟳𝟵,𝟰𝟵𝟵
(Current 2025–26 value: $76,515)

✅Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT): $𝟭𝟰𝟲,𝟳𝟭𝟳
(Current 2025–26 value: $141,210)

These new thresholds will apply to applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026. Employers and applicants should plan ahead accordingly.

3️⃣ 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘀 🎉

Despite ongoing processing delays in many visa categories, we’ve recently seen two excellent outcomes:

✅ Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa granted in just 4 days (Early Childhood Teacher)

✅ Subclass 801 Partner Visa granted in just 2 days

Outstanding results under current processing conditions.

If you are considering a visa application or employer sponsorship, it is important to stay informed about fee increases and changing thresholds. Feel free to reach out if you would like personalised advice.

12/12/2025

𝟰𝟴𝟮 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 & 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 (𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱)

We’ve had a very positive week here, with three Subclass 482 visa grants received over the last few days. These clients had been waiting 6–7 months, so we are incredibly pleased to finally see these approvals come through. Congratulations to each of them, and thank you sincerely for your patience throughout this long process.

Unfortunately, these delays are becoming increasingly common. The 482 visa used to be processed in 1–2 weeks, but many applications are now taking over 7 months. This is understandably frustrating for both applicants and employers, especially at a time when businesses across Australia are facing significant skills shortages and urgently need staff in place.

Another challenge is that the Department now processes nominations first and only finalises the visa application 2–4 weeks later, which has added further delays to the overall timeline.

There is one piece of good news for sponsorship transfer applicants (existing 482 visa holders changing employers). If your new employer lodges a nomination within 180 days of you ceasing employment with your previous sponsor, you are allowed to continue working with your new employer while the application is being processed. The Department recognises the delays and has adopted this approach to reduce disruption for both workers and businesses.

Additionally, for those planning to apply for 186 Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) in the future, the two-year employment requirement is counted from the date the nomination is lodged (provided the nomination is eventually approved), rather than from the approval date.

Despite the frustrations, today we want to celebrate the clients who finally received their visas after such a long wait. We are proud to have supported them through the process and are grateful for the trust they placed in us.

Employer sponsored visas continue to make up a large part of our caseload, and we genuinely enjoy working closely with both employers and skilled migrants. Over the years, we have been honoured to assist not only small businesses, but also many large and reputable companies across South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

Thank you to all the employers and applicants who choose to work with us. We truly appreciate the opportunity and look forward to continuing to support you with your staffing needs and visa pathways.

If your business is considering sponsorship, or if you are a skilled worker exploring employer sponsored visa options, feel free to reach out — we are here to help.

Cheers
Harry

03/12/2025

𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝟭𝟴𝟵 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮 — 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱

The Department of Home Affairs has released the results of the November invitation round: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skillselect/invitation-rounds

Health professionals, construction trade workers, and teachers remain among the most frequently invited occupations.

Migration Choice Pty Ltd

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