Shire Migration

20/03/2026

For our Partner visa clients.

If you hold a Partner (provisional) (subclass 309) or Partner (temporary) (subclass 820) visa, you may receive a phone call from a departmental officer.

This is so we can get more information to progress your application. This phone call may come from any of our onshore processing offices. Please be aware that any calls from the Department of Home Affairs will come from a private number.

Be aware of scammers who impersonate the Department. They may contact you by phone and say they are calling on our behalf. Our staff will always identify themselves before they ask for any information. To verify that you are speaking with a departmental officer ask them to confirm your file number or your application lodgement date.

Our staff will never ask for:
• credit card information
• banking details
• ImmiAccount password
• payment over the phone.

Partner (subclass 309) holders see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/partner-offshore/migrant-100
Partner (subclass 820) holders see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/partner-onshore/permanent-801

10/03/2026

Significant changes to the subclass 407 visa will fundamentally alter the migration strategy for many visa applicants.

📌 The Australian Government has introduced the Migration Amendment (Training Visas—Sponsorship Requirements) Regulations 2026. They amend the Migration Regulations 1994 and update the validity requirements for the Subclass 407 (Training) visa.

✅ Under the amendments, an applicant will only be able to make a valid application for a Subclass 407 visa if they have an APPROVED Temporary Activities Sponsor. In addition, where the sponsor is not a Commonwealth agency, there must also be an APPROVED nomination for an occupational training program before the visa application can be lodged.

❌ Previously, it was possible to lodge an application for sponsorship approval, a nomination, and a Subclass 407 visa concurrently. The amendments remove this ability, meaning that both the sponsor approval and nomination approval must now occur before a visa application can be made.

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What this means for the majority of the onshore applicants is that they will have to plan early, so they can stay in Australia lawfully while the Sponsorship and Nomination are being processed, before they can lodge a visa application.

Contact us to discuss further:

[email protected]

23/02/2026

C'mon, UK and Irish citizens! Protection visa? Really? Please don't.

We’re seeing more visa holders from the UK and Ireland being told to apply for a Protection visa just to extend their stay in Australia.

This is seriously bad advice.

A Protection (subclass 866) visa is for asylum seekers – people at real risk of significant harm or persecution if they return to their home country. It’s not for people who just want to stay longer in Australia.

Applying for a Protection visa when you don’t meet the criteria can lead to:

❌ Visa refusal – which stays on your immigration record for life
❌ Cancellation of your current visa
❌ Long-term bans from Australia
❌ Problems getting visas for other countries.

Don’t risk everything you love about your time in Australia on bad advice from mates or social media. Know the rules and protect your ability to come back again in the future.

Get proper guidance about Protection visa eligibility at homeaffairs.gov.au/protection

02/02/2026

Great initiative from NSW Government

27/01/2026

📢 Important Update from the Department of Home Affairs (Australia)

From 31 December 2025, immigration services are no longer provided at the following locations:
🇦🇪 Australian Consulate-General in Dubai
🇸🇬 Australian High Commission in Singapore
🇺🇸 Australian Embassy in Washington DC

✨ This change applies to immigration functions only and does not affect visa applicants. All visa applications continue to be submitted online, and there is no need to attend an overseas mission in person.

The Home Affairs website has been updated to reflect these changes, and applications in these regions will continue to be processed through Home Affairs’ global immigration network, as usual.

📩 For any Australian migration-related questions, issues, or goals, feel free to contact Shire Migration. We are here to help guide you every step of the way.

📧 [email protected]

19/01/2026

Well done, Australian Border Force.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16oTJ1522R/

Australian Border Force officers from the Department of Home Affairs have detained four high-priority unlawful non-citizens for removal during a major operation targeting migrant worker exploitation, immigration non-compliance and criminal syndicates profiting from illegal labour.

The operation in Far North Queensland sends a strong message that Australia will not tolerate abuse of its visa system or the exploitation of vulnerable migrant workers.

Among those detained were:
👉 A suspected scam migration agent and his partner who allegedly charged vulnerable Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme workers to lodge invalid Protection Visa applications.
👉 An unlawful non-citizen alleged to be facilitating unlawful immigration assistance and trafficking illegal migrant workers to local businesses.
👉 An individual allegedly using violence and coercion to funnel vulnerable migrant workers into illegal work, substandard housing and appalling working conditions.

Regional communities don’t want exploitation happening in their backyard, and members of the public continue to play a critical role by reporting concerns and helping to disrupt this behaviour. Anyone with information on suspicious activity can make a report through Border Watch: https://www.abf.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/borderwatch

09/01/2026

Well, that's one fun way of getting your Australian permanent residency! Note: read the article in full; the person did not get the visa dishonestly.

And for a more 'standard' visa pathway, contact us to discuss your options.

[email protected]

https://ia.acs.org.au/article/2026/cyber-expert-scores-rare-visa-after-hacking-aus-govt.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawPNJ2dleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeD-lxlgvx_JnnvBmtCx9azJQ4pZ1AjCzNhPUKFxyz1ZRnzoVSXjbxQNSgP3M_aem_TuuyJUnz0kofWKBHqq1loA

British man found critical vulnerability on DFAT site.

21/12/2025

As we conclude 2025, we appreciate your continued trust in our services and look forward to assisting you in the next year!

Our calendar is open for you to book a consultation about your Australian migration or citizenship matter.

Visit our website: www.shiremigration.com.au

21/11/2025

It is absolutely paramount that you do not provide us with any fake documents. The penalties you will face from the Australian government for supplying counterfeit documents with your visa application, are severe.

We abide by the highest ethical standards in our practice, and expect our clients to be truthful and responsible, too.

Need help? Contact us: [email protected]

⚠️ SERIOUS WARNING: Don't risk a visa ban.

Submitting fake and fraudulent documents in your Australian visa application could result in a multi-year visa ban.

Even if you have a migration agent, your application is your responsibility.

Learn more: www.homeaffairs.gov.au/visascams

18/11/2025

📢 2025–26 Skilled Migration Update – State & Territory Nomination Allocations

Each year, Australia allocates a set number of nomination places to states and territories. These allow them to nominate skilled migrants for the 190 (Skilled Nominated) and 491 (Skilled Work Regional) visas.

State nomination helps each region:
✔️ Fill workforce gaps
✔️ Address critical skill shortages
✔️ Support long-term population needs

A nomination gives you permission to apply for the visa; it doesn’t guarantee the visa grant.

🔢 2025–26 Nomination Allocations, announced 4 November 2025

ACT – 190: 800 | 491: 800
NSW – 190: 2,100 | 491: 1,500
NT – 190: 850 | 491: 800
QLD – 190: 1,850 | 491: 750
SA – 190: 1,350 | 491: 900
TAS – 190: 1,200 | 491: 650
VIC – 190: 2,700 | 491: 700
WA – 190: 2,000 | 491: 1,400

Subtotal:
190 visas – 12,850
491 visas – 7,500
Total: 20,350

📍 Thinking of applying?

Each state/territory has its own nomination criteria. Check the page with the links, in comments.

30/10/2025

📌You don’t have to stay in a violent relationship to keep your visa options open.
If your relationship has ended because of family violence, you may still be able to continue with your visa journey.

Under Australian Migration Regulations, a permanent visa can still be granted if:
✅ The relationship has ended, and
✅ You, your child, or a member of family unit has experienced family violence by your ex-partner, and
✅ You meet the other visa requirements.
👉 It doesn’t matter if the relationship ended for other reasons — what matters is that both the breakup and family violence occurred.

These family violence rules currently apply to certain visas, including:
🟢 Partner visas (Subclass 100, 309, 801, 820)
🟢 Dependent Child visa (Subclass 445)
🟢 Global Talent visa (Subclass 858)

💙 Remember:
You have rights and protections under Australian law. You do not have to stay in a harmful relationship to keep your visa pathway.
The family violence provisions exist to help you and your family stay safe.

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At Shire Migration, we provide confidential, compassionate visa advice and immigration assistance for clients affected by family violence.

If you’re in this situation or need to understand your options, we’re here to help you move forward safely.

📧[email protected]