Abacus Visa

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

04/12/2024

New Skills in Demand visa to replace Temporary Skills Shortage (Subclass 482) visa on 7 December 2024.

The government has announced that the new Skills in Demand (SID) visa will replace the Temporary Skill Shortage (Subclass 482) visa on 7 December 2024. A new single, consolidated occupation list – the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) – has been released, and will apply to both the new SID visa AND the permanent Employer Nomination Scheme.

For those planning to lodge a 482 visa application before the new visa comes into effect, the window to do so closes very soon. Applicants in occupations potentially impacted by the new CSOL must act now.

Click the link for:
• Key updates
• What should 482 visa applicants who have yet to lodge do?
• What to expect next

URGENT: Skills in Demand visa to replace Temporary Skills Shortage (Subclass 482) visa on 7 December 2024

11/07/2024

Exciting update: 8607 visa condition relaxed for skilled workers!

Recent changes means visa holders now have up to 180 days at a time, or a maximum of 365 days in total across the entire visa grant period, to find a new sponsor if they stop working for their sponsoring employer.

Our latest Newsflash covers:
- What's changed?
- How will this change impact visa holders and employers?
- Other potential consequences, including additional verification burden for sponsoring employers and impact on permanent residency pathways.

Check it out here:

Exciting update: 8607 visa condition relaxed for skilled workers!

27/05/2024

ATTENTION EMPLOYERS:

The rules around employing overseas workers will soon become stricter, with the Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Act 2024 coming into effect on 1 July 2024.

Don't risk your business being penalised.
Read our updated guide on Australia's strengthened employer sanctions regime, including:

- How are the two employers sanctions Acts similar/different?
- Key measures employers should take to ensure compliance
- How can Abacus Visa help?

When hiring skilled workers from overseas, employers need to proactively verify each person’s visa status and check whether they have the right to work. Two key pieces of legislation place a strong onus on employers to do so, while also cracking down on the exploitation of workers:

29/04/2024

The Skills in Demand visa will replace the Temporary Skill Shortage (Subclass 482) visa and promises faster visa processing, increased job mobility, and clearer permanent residency pathways.

See our guide for employers to help your business navigate the changes.

The new Skills in Demand visa: A guide for employers

17/04/2024

Skills in Demand Visa: Proposed Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) could exclude key occupations. Businesses must act NOW!

https://www.abacusvisa.com.au/skills-in-demand-visa-proposed-core-skills-occupation-list-csol-could-exclude-key-occupations-businesses-must-act-now

The new Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) will directly impact businesses' ability to access critical talent. Employers should consider engaging in the ongoing draft CSOL consultation process to ensure their workforce needs are reflected in the final list.

Skills in Demand Visa: Proposed Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) could exclude key occupations – businesses must act NOW

11/04/2024

New laws crack down on worker exploitation: What every employer needs to know

New laws crack down on worker exploitation: What every employer needs to know

11/04/2024

New laws crack down on worker exploitation: What every employer needs to know

https://www.abacusvisa.com.au/new-laws-crack-down-on-worker-exploitation-what-every-employer-needs-to-know