Abacus Visa

02/10/2026

From 2 October 2026, holders of many common temporary visas - including Subclasses 485, 482, 407 and 400 - will NOT be able to apply for a Student visa while they are in Australia.

This closes a pathway that has historically allowed many temporary visa holders to move to a Student visa if they wanted to undertake further study, could not immediately secure another skilled or employer-sponsored visa, or needed another lawful pathway to remain in Australia.

These changes directly affect available visa pathways, so employers and visa holders should plan early and in coordination.

Read our latest newsflash for more on:

- Who is affected

- Why is this important?

- Practical impact on common visa holders

- Further restrictions affecting existing students

- Restrictions on family members

- Transitional arrangements

- Why early and coordinated planning now matters more than ever

URGENT UPDATE: Major restrictions on applying for Student visas from within Australia

24/09/2026

The Government has replaced Ministerial Direction 119 - in place for less than two months - with two new directions setting how skilled visa applications are prioritised.

The key shift: Applicants in priority sectors now sit at the top of the queue whether they are in Australia or overseas, and the list of priority sectors has grown to include agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources. Additionally, a Subclass 482 applicant in the Specialist Skills stream benefits from a dedicated priority tier, regardless of their location.

Our latest Newsflash sets out what Directions 121 and 122 mean in practice for visa applicants and employers, and flags a gap the new rules leave with regards to nominations.

20/09/2026

On 17 September, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke used a National Press Club address to announce a broad-ranging package of proposed changes aimed at curbing net overseas migration.

The measures range from sharp cuts to Working Holiday visa quotas, no longer allowing students to bring partners and children as secondary applicants, and a 'No Further Stay' condition on all future Visitor visas - changes that could reshape onshore visa strategies.

None of it is law yet, and much of the detail is still to come. But the direction is clear, and some announcements have significant implications worth understanding now.

We've broken down what was announced, what it's likely to mean, and what we're still waiting to find out in our latest Newsflash here:

Minister announces major Australian migration reforms - What we know so far

17/08/2026

The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed a large increase in refusals affecting the Subclass 407 (Training) visa, with around 6,500 of 8,000 nominations refused since July.
The real risk is what follows: once a nomination is refused, the visa can be refused too - sometimes within weeks, and sometimes with no warning letter first.
Our latest update explains what's changed, the steps to take the moment a nomination is refused, and what new 407 applications should focus on to improve their chances of success.
'Read More' on:
• How the Subclass 407 works
• What the Department has confirmed
• What happens to the visa when the nomination is refused
• Our view: The biggest risk is the GTE requirement
• What should sponsors and applicants do if a nomination is refused?
• What this means for new applications

Sharp rise in Subclass 407 refusals – What’s changed and what to do

05/07/2026

The Department of Home Affairs has increased a number of Visa Application Charges from 1 July 2026, including for key employer-sponsored and training visa subclasses.
These changes are relevant for employers and visa applicants who are preparing new applications, particularly where family members will be included in the visa application.

https://www.abacusvisa.com.au/visa-application-charge-increases-from-1-july-2026

04/06/2026

The Australian Border Force has launched a national compliance operation targeting the Subclass 407 (Training) visa program, and early results confirm that breaches are being found.

In the 2025-26 financial year to date, 55% of 407 applications were refused or withdrawn, reflecting just how closely this visa is being scrutinised.

Our latest Newflash covers the compliance risks sponsors need to be across, what to do if you want to promote or change the role of a 407 holder, and how we can help proactively plan ahead.

If your business sponsors 407 visa holders, this is well worth a read.

Crackdown on Subclass 407 visa breaches: An important update for your business

05/03/2026

Sponsored worker salary thresholds to increase!!

If your business sponsors overseas workers on the Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) or Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visas, the salary thresholds you must meet are increasing from 1 July 2026.

Read more here:

Act before 1 July 2026: Sponsored worker salary thresholds to increase

02/07/2025

Increased migration and citizenship fees from 1 July 2025!

Migration and citizenship application fees rose across multiple categories from 1 July 2025.

Employers and visa applicants must factor in these higher fees when budgeting for their sponsorship or migration plans.

Click the link for:

- Visa Application Charge (VAC) increases
- Significant student visa fee increase
- Application fees for popular visa categories from 1 July 2025
- Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) increase
- Citizenship Application Fee increase

Increased migration and citizenship fees from 1 July 2025

27/06/2025

2025 Mid-Year Migration Update:
Policy stability meets processing delays!

In this update, we: assess trends across key visa categories, identify where bottlenecks persist, and most importantly, provide actionable insights to help you optimise your migration outcomes despite current constraints.

Lick the link to 'Read More' on:

- Post-election trends and immigration priorities
- Processing delays: The current challenge
- Updates on the Skills in Demand visa, Training visa (Subclass 407), family visas, and National Innovation visa
- Importance of seeking professional advice from registered migration agents

Abacus Visa Newsletter – 2025 Mid-Year Migration Update: Policy stability meets processing delays

20/01/2025

Major reforms to the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa reshaped the employer-employee sponsorship dynamic, with skilled workers now free to change jobs without resetting their permanent residency clock.

Check out out latest newsflash learn more about what employers and skilled workers need to know for 2025.

186 Visa changes: What employers and skilled workers need to know for 2025