Aura Visas

22/05/2026

Skilled Migration Pathways

13/05/2026

🇦🇺 Australia Migration Budget 2026–27: Key Migration Changes
📌 Permanent Migration Program
Australia will keep the migration intake at 185,000 permanent places for 2026–27.
📌 Strong Focus on Skilled Migration
Over 70% of places (132,240) are allocated to the Skill Stream.
Priority will be given to:
Younger applicants
Highly skilled professionals
Higher qualified candidates
Applicants with strong employment potential
📌 Onshore Applicants Prioritised
Major preference for migrants already living in Australia.
Around 129,590 places are allocated to onshore applicants.
Offshore allocations reduced to approximately 55,110 places.
📌 Points Test Reform
Australia plans to update the migration points system to better select:
Younger migrants
Skilled professionals
Highly educated applicants
Candidates with better long-term workforce contribution
📌 Faster Skills Assessment
Government funding announced for:
Faster skills recognition
Streamlined licensing for trades
Improved processing systems for skilled migrants
📌 Crackdown on Visa Fraud
Increased compliance measures
Stricter checks on visa applications
Extra funding to reduce migration system abuse
📌 Student & Temporary Visa Changes
Stronger focus on genuine students and skilled pathways
📌 Overall Government Direction
The 2026–27 migration strategy focuses on:
✅ Skilled migration
✅ Workforce shortages
✅ Economic contribution
✅ Regional growth
✅ Reducing net overseas migration pressure

07/05/2026

NSW Subclass 190 Visa Invitations Now Fully Allocated 🇦🇺

The NSW Government has confirmed that it has issued enough Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to fill its Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) nomination allocation for the current program year.

What This Means
❌ No further NSW 190 invitations will be issued this program year
❌ New invitations are paused until the Australian Government releases the 2026–27 allocation
This is a significant update for skilled migrants with active EOIs in SkillSelect who were waiting for NSW 190 nomination rounds.

What About the NSW 491 Visa (Pathway 2)?
There’s still positive movement.
NSW has confirmed that:
✅ A recent 491 Pathway 2 invitation round has taken place
✅ More EOIs may still be invited
✅ Invitations will continue until the remaining allocation is fully used

This keeps the door open for applicants considering regional NSW pathways.
NSW Highlights “The Welcome Experience”
NSW is encouraging essential workers and their families exploring regional opportunities to access The Welcome Experience — a free service supporting migrants as they settle into regional communities.

👉What Skilled Migrants Should Do Now
1. Keep your EOI updated
2. Explore regional pathways like the 491
3. Monitor NSW nomination announcements
4. Review occupation ceilings and trends
5. Consider other state nomination options if eligible

22/04/2026

🚨 AHPRA English Language Requirement Update for Nursing (Effective 23 April 2026) 🇦🇺
Important update for internationally qualified nurses and midwives planning registration in Australia.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) has revised its English language requirements, with new criteria applying to tests taken on or after 23 April 2026.
🔍 What’s Changing?
✔️ Updated Minimum Scores
AHPRA and the National Boards have revised the required scores across all accepted English tests, aligning them with current research and Department of Home Affairs migration standards.
✔️ Applies Based on Test Date
• Tests taken on or before 22 April 2026 → Existing score criteria apply
• Tests taken on or after 23 April 2026 → New score requirements apply
✔️ Accepted Tests Remain the Same
• IELTS Academic
• OET
• PTE Academic
• Cambridge (C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency)
✔️ Why This Update?
To ensure alignment with international benchmarks and maintain safe, effective communication standards in Australian healthcare settings.
📌 Important Reminder:
This change forms part of AHPRA’s English Language Skills Registration Standard for nurses and midwives.
💡 What This Means for You:
Your test date now matters more than ever. Before booking your exam, make sure you clearly understand which score criteria will apply to you.
📩 Need guidance with AHPRA registration or choosing the right test? Feel free to message me

14/04/2026

Wishing you a very Happy Vaisakhi from Aura Visas.
May this sacred day bring new light, new beginnings, and new strength into your life. As we celebrate the harvest and the birth of the Khalsa, may your heart be filled with gratitude for all that has blossomed and all that is yet to come.
May Waheguru bless you with prosperity in your work, peace in your home, clarity in your mind, and warmth in your relationships. May every step you take this year be guided by grace, courage, and wisdom.
Vaisakhi reminds us of resilience, unity, and the power of standing strong in our values. May this spirit uplift you, inspire you, and open doors to beautiful opportunities. May your days ahead be filled with joy, good health, and the gentle kind of happiness that stays.
Sending you and your family heartfelt wishes for a season of growth, abundance, and serenity.
Happy Vaisakhi to you and your loved ones🙏🏻

04/04/2026

📣Tasmania’s Migration Number is out now

30/03/2026

🚨 ACT Canberra Matrix Update – Key Information for PR Applicants 🇦🇺
The ACT Government has released an important update affecting upcoming Canberra Matrix invitation rounds. Here’s what you need to know:
❌ April Invitation Round Cancelled
There will be no Canberra Matrix invitation round in April.
📅 May Round – Final for the 2025–26 Financial Year
The May round will be the last scheduled invitation round for this financial year.
🔄 Potential Additional Invitations
If any nomination places remain unused after May, the ACT may issue a small number of extra invitations. These are expected to be very limited.
🆕 New Canberra Matrix Portal Launching
A new Matrix portal is planned for release in May. This may include system updates or process changes, so applicants should stay alert for further announcements.
⚠️ What This Means for You
If you’re aiming for ACT nomination, May is your strongest remaining opportunity this year.
Ensure your Matrix is updated, accurate, and as competitive as possible.
Stay proactive, stay informed — and don’t miss your window.

29/03/2026

20/03/2026

📢 Migration Update – Tasmania (Latest Round 19 March 2026)

The latest nomination and invitation figures from Tasmania are out, giving a clear picture of competition, demand, and processing trends.

15/03/2026

📢𝐌𝐈𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄📢
Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) will temporarily pause all registrations for the Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP) and Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) program from 14 March 2026 to support essential systems changes. Registrations will recommence on 30 March 2026.

13/03/2026

✨ Congratulations to our client🎉🎉 on visa grant