Not legal advice.
This site is an automated summary of public government data and may be incomplete or out of date. Always check the official text at legislation.gov.au, and talk to a registered migration agent or lawyer about your situation.
50changes tracked since 23 Feb 2026
13in the last 30 days
16in the last 90 days (shown below)
October 2026
Migration (LIN 20/158: Class of Persons for Student (Temporary) (Class TU) Visa Applications) Amendment Instrument 2026
The rules for student visas have changed.
Registered: 1 Oct 2026Starts: 1 Oct 2026F2026L01349From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:Australian citizensstudent visa holdersfamily-stream applicants
What the official document says:- The purpose of this instrument is to specify classes of persons relevant to the requirements for making a valid application for a Subclass 500 (Student) visa (Student visa), which are set out in item 1222 of Schedule 1 to the Migration Regulations.
- The instrument is made under subitem 1222(5) of Schedule 1 to the Migration Regulations.
- The instrument specifies classes of applicants for the purposes of paragraph 1222(3A)(d) and subparagraph 1222(3)(da)(v).
Migration (Student Visa Applications to Be Made from outside Australia) Instrument 2026
A new instrument about student visas was made.
Registered: 1 Oct 2026Starts: 1 Oct 2026F2026L01348From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:visa applicantsAustralian citizensstudent visa holders
What the official document says:- Details of the instrument are set out in the Attachment.
Migration Amendment (Student Visa Reform) Regulations 2026
The rules for student visas have changed.
Registered: 1 Oct 2026Starts: 1 Oct 2026F2026L01347From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:visa applicantssponsors and sponsoring employersAdministrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) / ARD litigantsAustralian citizensstudent visa holders
What the official document says:- The Migration Amendment (Student Visa Reform) Regulations 2026 (the Amendment Regulations) amend the Migration Regulations 1994 (the Migration Regulations) to provide new criteria for the Subclass 500 (Student) visa (Student visa) related to Schedule 1 criteria for making a valid application; and Schedule 2 criteria for the grant of a visa.
September 2026
Migration (Arrangements for eVisitor Visa Applications) Instrument 2026
A new instrument about eVisitor visas was made.
Registered: 28 Sep 2026Starts: 28 Sep 2026F2026L01306From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:Australian citizens
What the official document says:- LIN 26/061 is made under subregulation 2.07(5) of the Regulations.
- It replaces IMMI 16/111, which is scheduled to sunset on 1 April 2027 in accordance with section 50 of the Legislation Act.
- Subregulation 2.07(5) provides that if an item of Schedule 1 to the Regulations prescribes criteria or requirements by reference to a legislative instrument made under this subregulation, the Minister may, by legislative instrument, specify any of the following matters for the purposes of such criterion or requirement: an approved form for making an application for a visa of a …
Migration (Arrangements for Visitor (Class FA) visa applications) Amendment Instrument 2026
The rules for visitor visas have changed.
Registered: 28 Sep 2026Starts: 28 Sep 2026F2026L01313From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:Australian citizens
No plain summary was extracted for this item — see the official page for details.
Migration (Health Criteria—Specified Countries) Instrument 2026
A new instrument about visa health requirements was made.
Registered: 28 Sep 2026Starts: 28 Sep 2026F2026L01315From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:visa applicantsAustralian citizens
What the official document says:- The purpose of LIN 26/090 is to correctly reflect the names of States that were previously specified in the repealed LIN 23/071.
- These countries have undergone a formal name change, and LIN 26/090 provides a list of these country names as recognised by Australia.
- There is no change in policy setting and LIN 26/090 does not add or remove countries that were previously specified in the repealed LIN 23/071.
Migration (Arrangements for Maritime Crew Visa Applications) Instrument 2026
A new instrument about maritime crew visas was made.
Registered: 25 Sep 2026Starts: 25 Sep 2026F2026L01300From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:visa applicantsAustralian citizens
What the official document says:- LIN 26/025 is made under subregulations 2.07(5) and 2.07(6) of the Regulations.
- Subregulation 2.07(5) provides that if an item of Schedule 1 to the Regulations prescribes criteria or requirements by reference to a legislative instrument made under this subregulation 2.07(5), the Minister may, by legislative instrument, specify any of the following matters for the purposes of such criterion or requirement: an approved form for making an application for a vi …
- Subregulation 2.07(6) provides that the legislative instrument may specify different matters for: different kinds of visa (however described); and different classes of applicant.
Migration (Complying Entrepreneur Activity—Excluded Activities) Instrument 2026
A new instrument about entrepreneur visas was made.
Registered: 24 Sep 2026Starts: 24 Sep 2026F2026L01259Auto-extracted — check the official text
Who is affected:Australian citizens
What the official document says:- The instrument repeals Specification of Activities 2016/075, as made under paragraph 5.19E(6)(a) of the Migration Regulations on 7 September 2016 (IMMI 16/075), in accordance with subsection 33(3) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.
- That subsection provides that the power to make a legislative instrument includes a power to amend or repeal that instrument in the same manner, and subject to the same conditions, as the power to make the instrument.
- IMMI 16/075 would otherwise be repealed by sunsetting on 1 October 2026 by operation of section 50 of the Legislation Act 2003 (the Legislation Act).
Migration (Complying Entrepreneur Activity—Funding Entities) Instrument 2026
A new instrument about entrepreneur visas was made.
Registered: 24 Sep 2026Starts: 24 Sep 2026F2026L01258From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:Australian citizenspartner visa applicants
What the official document says:- made, the Table A providers were listed in section 16-15 of the Higher Education Support Act, while the Table B providers were listed in section 16-20 of that Act.
- The note at the end of section 6 refers the reader to subsection 16-5(3) of the Higher Education Support Act, which provides for circumstances in which a higher education provider ceases to be a provider.
- No changes have been made to the specified entities in Specification of Entities 2016/074 (IMMI 16/074).
Migration (Fields of Education) Instrument 2026
A new instrument about eligible fields of education was made.
Registered: 24 Sep 2026Starts: 24 Sep 2026F2026L01260Auto-extracted — check the official text
Who is affected:sponsors and sponsoring employersAustralian citizens
What the official document says:- The instrument repeals Specification of Fields of Education 2016/076, as made under subregulation 2.26AC(5B) of the Migration Regulations on 7 September 2016 (IMMI 16/076), in accordance with subsection 33(3) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.
- That subsection provides that the power to make a legislative instrument includes a power to amend or repeal that instrument in the same manner, and subject to the same conditions, as the power to make the instrument.
- IMMI 16/076 would otherwise be repealed by sunsetting on 1 October 2026 by operation of section 50 of the Legislation Act 2003 (the Legislation Act).
Migration (Visas that Preclude a Person from Lodging a Student Visa Application in Australia) Instrument 2026
A new instrument about student visas was made.
Registered: 24 Sep 2026Starts: 24 Sep 2026F2026L01282From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:Australian citizensstudent visa holders
What the official document says:- The instrument repeals IMMI 2016/016, which sunsets on 1 October 2026 in accordance with section 50 of the Legislation Act 2003 (the Legislation Act).
- The instrument specifies classes of persons for the purposes of subitem 1222(4) of Schedule 1 to the Migration Regulations, which provides that if an applicant for a Subclass 500 (Student) visa (Student visa) or a Subclass 590 (Student Guardian) visa (Student Guardian visa) is in Australia when applying for that visa, they must not hold a substantive temporary visa specified in …
- The effect is that the applicant must make that application from outside Australia.
Migration (Designated Areas) Instrument 2026
A new instrument about designated area migration agreements (DAMA) was made.
Registered: 21 Sep 2026Starts: 21 Sep 2026F2026L01255From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:visa applicantsAustralian citizens
What the official document says:- holder to whom the condition applies to live, work and study in a designated area of Australia.
- Compliance with condition 8549 may also be relevant to whether a visa applicant satisfies the criteria for the grant of a Subclass 887 visa.
- This section has been remade in substantially the same form as section 2 of the repealed Designated Areas 2016/044 (IMMI 16/044). 3
Migration Legislation Amendment (Arrangements for Child Visa Applications) Instrument 2026
The rules for child visas have changed.
Registered: 21 Sep 2026Starts: 21 Sep 2026F2026L01261From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:*Scope unclear — manual review recommended.*
What the official document says:- The instrument amends LIN 26/081, which commenced on 1 September 2026.
- The purpose of the instrument is to amend a table item to correct the GPO Box postal address specified in Schedule 1. 5.
- The instrument will continue to specify the form and manner, and place that an application for a visa in the following classes must be made: Child (Migrant) (Class AH); Child (Residence) (Class BT); Extended Temporary (Class TK). 6.
Migration (Arrangements for Child Visa Applications) Instrument 2026
A new instrument about child visas was made.
Registered: 1 Sep 2026Starts: 1 Sep 2026F2026L01149From the official Explanatory Statement
What the official document says:- The instrument repeals and replaces IMMI 16/051 which is due to sunset on 1 October 2026 in accordance with section 50 of the Legislation Act.
- The purpose of the instrument is to specify that an application for a visa in the following classes must be made in the form and manner, and at the place specified in the instrument: Child (Migrant) (Class AH); Child (Residence) (Class BT); Extended Temporary (Class TK). 5.
- Subregulation 2.07(5) of the Migration Regulations provides that, if an item of Schedule 1 to those Regulations prescribes criteria or requirements by reference to a legislative instrument, the Minister may, by legislative instrument, specify any of the following matters for that purpose: an approved form for making an application for a visa of a specified class; the way in whi …
July 2026
Migration (Annual Applicant Limits for Subclass 202 (Global Special Humanitarian) Visas) Instrument 2026
A new instrument about humanitarian visas was made.
Registered: 17 Jul 2026Starts: 17 Jul 2026F2026L00975From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:sponsors and sponsoring employersfamily-stream applicantsprotection/refugee applicants
What the official document says:- The purpose of the instrument is to specify the maximum number of applicants that an Approved Proposing Organisation (APO) may propose for a Subclass 202 (Global Special Humanitarian) Visa (Subclass 202 visa) in a financial year.
- These applications are referred to as the Community Support Program (CSP).
Migration (Specification of Commonwealth Priorities for Subclass 202 (Global Special Humanitarian) Visas) Instrument 2026
A new instrument about humanitarian visas was made.
Registered: 17 Jul 2026Starts: 17 Jul 2026F2026L00976From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:visa applicantssponsors and sponsoring employersprotection/refugee applicants
What the official document says:- The purpose of the instrument is to specify the priorities of the Commonwealth in relation to the permanent settlement of persons who are proposed by an approved proposing organisation (APO) for a Subclass 202 (Global Special Humanitarian) Visa (Subclass 202 visa).
- These applications are referred to as the Community Support Program (CSP).
Older archive (click a month to expand)
July 2026 — 2 changes
Migration (Nil VAC Arrangements and Other Matters) Amendment (Rugby League World Cup 2026) Instrument 2026
The rules for visa application charges (VAC) have changed.
Registered: 10 Jul 2026Starts: 10 Jul 2026F2026L00950From the official Explanatory Statement
What the official document says:- persons covered by the instrument in relation to the event.
- Item [2] – After section 29 Part 3 of LIN 26/074 provides the application and transitional provisions for the instrument.
- This item inserts new section 30 in Part 3 of LIN 26/074.
Australian Citizenship Regulation 2016
A new instrument about Australian citizenship was made.
Registered: 10 Jul 2026Starts: 1 Jul 2026F2016L01916Auto-extracted — check the official text
Who is affected:Australian citizens
What the official document says:- Australian Citizenship Regulation 2016 - Federal Register of Legislation Skip to main Help and resources Register for My Account Sign in to My Account Search Home Text Details Authorises Downloads All versions Interactions Australian Citizenship Regulation 2016 In force Administered by Department of Home Affairs This item is authorised by the following title: Australian Citizen …
June 2026 — 8 changes
Migration (Arrangements for Subclass 417 (Working Holiday) Visa) Instrument 2026
A new instrument about working holiday visas was made.
Registered: 30 Jun 2026Starts: 30 Jun 2026F2026L00878From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:visa applicants
What the official document says:- 6 7 This instrument repeals and replaces LIN 22/051, which specified matters in relation to applying for a Working Holiday (Temporary) (Class TZ) visa, and relevant to the criteria for the Subclass 417 (Working Holiday) visa.
- This instrument is consequential to the Amendment Regulations, which made technical amendments to the Schedule 1 requirements and Schedule 2 criteria for the Working Holiday visa.
- Specifically, the age criterion for eligibility to apply for a Working Holiday visa has been relocated from Schedule 2 to Schedule 1 to the Migration Regulations. 1
Migration (Arrangements for Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) Visa) Instrument 2026
A new instrument about working holiday visas was made.
Registered: 30 Jun 2026Starts: 30 Jun 2026F2026L00883From the official Explanatory Statement
What the official document says:- 6 7 This instrument repeals and replaces LIN 21/019, which specified matters in relation to applying for a Work and Holiday (Temporary) (Class US) visa, and relevant to the criteria for the Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visa (Subclass 462 visa).
- This instrument is consequential to the Amendment Regulations, which made technical amendments to the Schedule 1 requirements and Schedule 2 criteria for the Work and Holiday visa.
- Specifically, the age limit to be eligible to apply for a Work and Holiday visa has been relocated from Schedule 2 to Schedule 1 to the Migration Regulations. 1
Migration (Nil VAC Arrangements and Other Matters) Instrument 2026
A new instrument about visa application charges (VAC) was made.
Registered: 30 Jun 2026Starts: 30 Jun 2026F2026L00877From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:visa applicantssponsors and sponsoring employersemployersAustralian citizenspartner visa applicants
What the official document says:- The purpose of this item is to support the commencement of Schedule 2 to the Amendment Regulations by repealing section 6 of IMMI 18/033, which is no longer required given that the TSMIT amount will be expressly specified in regulation 1.03 of the Migration Regulations.
- Relevantly, item 16401 of Schedule 13 to the Migration Regulations (inserted by the Amendment Regulations) inserts an application provision which provides that the amendments made by Schedule 2 to the Amendment Regulations applies in relation to an application for the approval of a nomination made on or after 1 July 2026.
- This means that an application for the approval of a nomination that was made between 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026 will continue to be assessed against the TSMIT amount that was in force at the time of the application, which, during this timeframe, was specified under section 6 of IMMI 18/033 to be $76,515.
Migration Amendment (Working Holiday Maker Age Criteria) Regulations 2026
The rules for working holiday visas have changed.
Registered: 30 Jun 2026Starts: 30 Jun 2026F2026L00876From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:visa applicantssponsors and sponsoring employersAdministrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) / ARD litigantsAustralian citizenspartner visa applicants
What the official document says:- The Migration Amendment (Working Holiday Maker Age Criteria) Regulations 2026 (the Amendment Regulations) amend the Migration Regulations 1994 (the Migration Regulations) to make technical changes to the Working Holiday Maker program related to age criteria.
- The Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program allows young adults from eligible countries to have a 12-month holiday in Australia, during which they can undertake short-term work and study.
- Arrangements under the WHM program, including some eligibility requirements such as the age range for participants, are established on a bilateral basis between Australia and the relevant partner country or jurisdiction.
Migration (Arrangements for Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) Visa Applications) Instrument (LIN 21/019) 2021
A new instrument about working holiday visas was made.
Registered: 29 Jun 2026Starts: 3 Jun 2026F2021L00152Auto-extracted — check the official text
Who is affected:*Scope unclear — manual review recommended.*
What the official document says:- Migration (Arrangements for Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) Visa Applications) Instrument (LIN 21/019) 2021 - Federal Register of Legislation Skip to main Text Details Authorises Downloads All versions Interactions Migration (Arrangements for Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) Visa Applications) Instrument (LIN 21/019) 2021 In force Administered by Department of Home Affairs This …
Migration (Daily Maintenance Amount for Persons in Detention) Determination 2026
A new instrument about people in immigration detention was made.
Registered: 23 Jun 2026Starts: 23 Jun 2026F2026L00778From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:Australian citizens
What the official document says:- The purpose of LIN 26/026 is to determine that the daily amount for the keeping and maintaining of a person in immigration detention is $702.31.
- This amount reflects the minimum cost to the Commonwealth for keeping and maintaining a person in immigration detention.
- The new daily amount of $702.31 is an increase from the previous amount of $538.79 that was determined in repealed LIN 24/017.
Migration Amendment (Realigning the Community Support Program) Regulations 2026
The rules for the Community Support Program have changed.
Registered: 17 Jun 2026Starts: 17 Jun 2026F2026L00733From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:visa applicantssponsors and sponsoring employersAustralian citizensfamily-stream applicantsprotection/refugee applicants
What the official document says:- The Migration Amendment (Realigning the Community Support Program) Regulations 2026 (the Amendment Regulations) amend the Migration Regulations 1994 (the Migration Regulations) to implement certain criteria relevant to making a valid application and satisfying eligibility criteria for the grant of a Subclass 202 (Global Special Humanitarian) visa (Subclass 202 visa), where the …
- In particular, the Amendment Regulations: prescribe a new Schedule 1 criteria applicable to applications for a Subclass 202 (Global Special Humanitarian) visa that contain a proposal, requiring that the application must not exceed the maximum number of persons that can be proposed by the APO in a financial year; establish an instrument-making power enabling the Minister to spec …
Migration (Granting of Contributory Parent Visas, Parent Visas and Other Family Visas During Financial Year 2025-26) Instrument 2026
A new instrument about parent and other family visas was made.
Registered: 11 Jun 2026Starts: 11 Jun 2026F2026L00724Auto-extracted — check the official text
Who is affected:family-stream applicants
What the official document says:- Subsection 33(3) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (the Acts Interpretation Act) provides that where an Act confers a power to make a legislative instrument, the power should be construed as including a power exercisable in the same manner and subject to the same conditions, as the power to repeal, rescind, revoke, amend or vary such instrument.
- The instrument will be repealed on 1 July 2026, at the conclusion of the 2025- 2026 Financial Year.
- In addition, when used in this instrument, a Parent visa means a visa of the following classes: Parent (Migrant) (Class AX) visa; Aged Parent (Residence) (Class BP) visa.
May 2026 — 2 changes
Migration Amendment (Administrative Review of Student Visa Refusal Decisions) Regulations 2026
The rules for student visas have changed.
Registered: 29 May 2026Starts: 29 May 2026F2026L00640From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:visa applicantssponsors and sponsoring employersAdministrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) / ARD litigantsAustralian citizensstudent visa holders
What the official document says:- Prescribing the kind of applications to be reviewed on the papers The Migration Amendment (Administrative Review of Student Visa Refusal Decisions) Regulations 2026 (Amendment Regulations) amend the Migration Regulations to prescribe an application for review of a decision to refuse to grant a student visa to be an application to be reviewed on the papers under paragraph 367C(2 …
- Student visa refusal decisions are appropriate for review without an oral hearing, due to the nature of the issues under review, the low volume and complexity of written materials relevant to these reviews and the temporary and short-term nature of student visas.
- The review assesses whether the available material is sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the applicable legislative and policy framework.
Migration Legislation Amendment (Arrangements for Work and Holiday Visas—Luxembourg) Instrument 2026
The rules for working holiday visas have changed.
Registered: 29 May 2026Starts: 29 May 2026F2026L00637From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:visa applicantsAustralian citizens
What the official document says:- 4 The purpose of this instrument is to amend principal instrument LIN 21/019 to specify Luxembourg as a foreign country (in its capacity as a passport issuing authority) in section 4 of the principal instrument.
- Section 4 operates to specify a class of persons under subparagraph 1224A(3)(b)(iii) of Schedule 1 to the Migration Regulations.
- The effect of the amendment is that a person who holds a valid passport issued by Luxembourg will be in a class of persons who are exempt from the requirement to provide a letter of support from their government to apply for a Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visa.
April 2026 — 6 changes
Migration (Arrangements for Parent Visa Applications) Instrument 2026
A new instrument about parent and other family visas was made.
Registered: 17 Apr 2026Starts: 17 Apr 2026F2026L00441From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:visa applicants
What the official document says:- LIN 26/005 is made under subregulation 2.07(5) of the Regulations.
- This provision provides that if an item of Schedule 1 to those Regulations prescribes criteria or requirements by reference to a legislative instrument made under subregulation 2.07(5), the Minister may, by legislative instrument, specify any of the following matters for the purposes of such criterion or requirement: an approved form for making an application for a visa of a sp …
- LIN 26/005 specifies the form, place and manner in which an application must be made for the following classes of visas: Parent (Migrant) (Class AX) visa; Contributory Parent (Migrant) (Class CA) visa; Contributory Parent (Temporary) (Class UT) visa; Aged Parent (Residence) (Class BP) visa; Contributory Aged Parent (Residence) (Class DG) visa; and Contributory Aged Parent (Temp …
Migration (Migration Agents Code of Conduct) Regulations 2021
A new instrument about migration agents was made.
Registered: 2 Apr 2026Starts: 1 Apr 2026F2021L01856Auto-extracted — check the official text
Who is affected:registered migration agents
What the official document says:- Migration (Migration Agents Code of Conduct) Regulations 2021 - Federal Register of Legislation Skip to main Text Details Authorises Downloads All versions Interactions Migration (Migration Agents Code of Conduct) Regulations 2021 In force Administered by Department of Home Affairs This item is authorised by the following title: Migration Act 1958 Latest version View as made ve …
Migration (LIN 19/051: Specification of Occupations and Relevant Assessing Authorities) Instrument 2019
A new instrument about occupation lists and skills assessment was made.
Registered: 1 Apr 2026Starts: 28 Mar 2026F2019L00278Auto-extracted — check the official text
Who is affected:*Scope unclear — manual review recommended.*
What the official document says:- Migration (LIN 19/051: Specification of Occupations and Relevant Assessing Authorities) Instrument 2019 - Federal Register of Legislation Skip to main Text Details Authorises Downloads All versions Interactions Migration (LIN 19/051: Specification of Occupations and Relevant Assessing Authorities) Instrument 2019 Citation change In force Administered by Department of Home Affai …
Migration (Specification of Occupations and Relevant Assessing Authorities—Subclass 186 Visa) Instrument 2024
A new instrument about occupation lists and skills assessment was made.
Registered: 1 Apr 2026Starts: 28 Mar 2026F2024L01618Auto-extracted — check the official text
Who is affected:*Scope unclear — manual review recommended.*
What the official document says:- Migration (Specification of Occupations and Relevant Assessing Authorities—Subclass 186 Visa) Instrument 2024 - Federal Register of Legislation Skip to main Text Details Authorises Downloads All versions Interactions Migration (Specification of Occupations and Relevant Assessing Authorities—Subclass 186 Visa) Instrument 2024 Citation change In force Administered by Department o …
Australian Citizenship (special residence requirement) Instrument (LIN 21/069) 2021
A new instrument about Australian citizenship was made.
Registered: 1 Apr 2026Starts: 21 Mar 2026F2021L01422Auto-extracted — check the official text
Who is affected:sponsors and sponsoring employersAustralian citizens
What the official document says:- Australian Citizenship (special residence requirement) Instrument (LIN 21/069) 2021 - Federal Register of Legislation Skip to main Text Details Authorises Downloads All versions Interactions Australian Citizenship (special residence requirement) Instrument (LIN 21/069) 2021 In force Administered by Department of Home Affairs This item is authorised by the following title: Austr …
Migration (LIN 19/260: Assessing Authorities for Subclass 494 Visas) Instrument 2019
A new instrument about occupation lists and skills assessment was made.
Registered: 1 Apr 2026Starts: 28 Mar 2026F2019L01405Auto-extracted — check the official text
Who is affected:*Scope unclear — manual review recommended.*
What the official document says:- Migration (LIN 19/260: Assessing Authorities for Subclass 494 Visas) Instrument 2019 - Federal Register of Legislation Skip to main Text Details Authorises Downloads All versions Interactions Migration (LIN 19/260: Assessing Authorities for Subclass 494 Visas) Instrument 2019 In force Administered by Department of Home Affairs This item is authorised by the following title: Mig …
March 2026 — 12 changes
Migration Legislation Amendment (Assessing Authorities) Instrument 2026
The rules for occupation lists and skills assessment have changed.
Registered: 27 Mar 2026Starts: 27 Mar 2026F2026L00369From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:visa applicants
What the official document says:- This item also sets out the application of the amendments made by item 2 of Schedule 1 to this instrument.
- Those amendments apply to any applications made, but not finally determined, on or after 14 December 2024, to ensure that visa applicants for the Information and Organisation Professional Not Elsewhere Classified occupation are not disadvantaged by the previous omission of those assessing authorities.
- Schedule 2 – Amendments Migration (LIN 19/260: Assessing Authorities for Subclass 494 Visas) Instrument 2019 Item 1— Subsection 6(1) (table item 30, column 2) This item replaces a reference to Geospatial Council of Australia (GCA) with a reference to the Institution of Surveyors New South Wales Ltd (ISNSW).
Migration (IMMI 18/033: Specification of Income Threshold and Annual Earnings and Methodology of Annual Market Salary Rate) Instrument 2018
A new instrument about visa income thresholds was made.
Registered: 27 Mar 2026Starts: 25 Mar 2026F2018L00284Auto-extracted — check the official text
Who is affected:*Scope unclear — manual review recommended.*
What the official document says:- Migration (IMMI 18/033: Specification of Income Threshold and Annual Earnings and Methodology of Annual Market Salary Rate) Instrument 2018 - Federal Register of Legislation Skip to main Text Details Authorises Downloads All versions Interactions Migration (IMMI 18/033: Specification of Income Threshold and Annual Earnings and Methodology of Annual Market Salary Rate) Instrumen …
Migration (Arrival Control) Determination 2026
A new instrument about arrival and border control was made.
Registered: 25 Mar 2026Starts: 25 Mar 2026F2026L00372Auto-extracted — check the official text
Who is affected:registered migration agentsAustralian citizenspartner visa applicants
What the official document says:- The Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Act 2026 (the Amendment Act) received the Royal Assent on 13 March 2026, and commenced on 14 March 2026.
- The Amendment Act inserted new Subdivision AGA (Arrival control determinations) in Division 3 of Part 2 of the Migration Act.
- The object of Subdivision AGA is set out in section 84A of the Migration Act: … to allow temporary restrictions on the arrival of certain classes of temporary visa holders in Australia, where this is necessary to protect the integrity and sustainability of Australia’s immigration system, including when events or circumstances outside Australia mean that there is an increased ri …
Migration Legislation Amendment (Annual Market Salary Rate) Instrument 2026
The rules for the annual market salary rate have changed.
Registered: 24 Mar 2026Starts: 24 Mar 2026F2026L00329From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:sponsors and sponsoring employersemployersfamily-stream applicantsemployer-sponsored nominees
What the official document says:- The Migration Legislation Amendment (Annual Market Salary Rate) Instrument 2026 (the Instrument) amends the Migration (IMMI 18/033: Specification of Income Threshold and Annual Earnings and Methodology of Annual Market Salary Rate) Instrument 2018 (IMMI 18/033) to provide persons making for nomination of a Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) visa (SID visa), Subclass 494 (Skilled E …
- Subregulation 2.72(15) of the Migration Regulations 1994 (Migration Regulations) provides that where a nominee for a SID visa (and which also applies to nominees for an ENS or RSMS visa) will earn less than the specified amount per annum (currently $250,000), the Minister (or a delegate) must be satisfied that, among other requirements, the nominee will be paid at least the AMS …
- Subregulation 2.72(17) provides that the method for determining the AMSR is to be set out in a legislative instrument.
Australian Citizenship (special residence requirement) Amendment (Measures No. 1) Instrument 2026
The rules for Australian citizenship have changed.
Registered: 20 Mar 2026Starts: 20 Mar 2026F2026L00276From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:Australian citizens
What the official document says:- The effect of this item is that an applicant for Australian citizenship by conferral may rely on work undertaken as an academic (provided the work is of the kind specified in new paragraph 6(2)(d)) in seeking to satisfy special residence requirements under section 22B of the Act.
- Item 6 – At the end of the instrument This item inserts new section 7 to specify an additional kind of work for the purposes of paragraph 22B(1)(a) of the Citizenship Act.
- Specifically, section 7 operates to specify the “work of a minister of religion in a senior leadership position in a religious organisation” as work for the purposes of the special residence requirements in section 22B of the Act.
Migration (United Nations Security Council Resolutions) Instrument 2026
A new instrument about UN sanctions affecting migration was made.
Registered: 19 Mar 2026Starts: 19 Mar 2026F2026L00280From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:sponsors and sponsoring employersAdministrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) / ARD litigantsAustralian citizensfamily-stream applicants
What the official document says:- This disallowable instrument is made under the Migration (United Nations Security Council Resolutions) Regulations 2007 (UNSCR Regulations) and operates to specify United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions imposing travel bans as set out below.
- This instrument also repeals and remakes Specification of United Nations Security Council Resolutions IMMI 14/034 (IMMI 14/034) to ensure that Australia’s sanctions framework including the UNSCR Regulations remain efficient, effective and consistent with foreign policy objective and international obligations under the Charter of the United Nations (the UN Charter).
- Article 41 of the UN Charter authorises the UNSC to decide on measures not involving the use of armed force, such as sanctions and travel bans, where there is a threat to peace, breach of peace and acts of aggression.
Legislation (Deferral of Sunsetting—Australian Citizenship Regulation) Certificate 2026
A new instrument about Australian citizenship was made.
Registered: 18 Mar 2026Starts: 18 Mar 2026F2026L00258From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:Australian citizensfamily-stream applicants
What the official document says:- The Certificate is made under paragraph 51(1)(c) of the Legislation Act 2003.
- Under that paragraph the Attorney-General can issue a certificate to defer the sunsetting day of an instrument for a period of either 6, 12, 18 or 24 months.
- The instrument will then be repealed on the day specified in the Certificate instead of the originally scheduled sunsetting day.
Migration (Specified Courses and Exams for Registration as a Migration Agent) Instrument 2026
A new instrument about migration agents was made.
Registered: 16 Mar 2026Starts: 16 Mar 2026F2026L00245From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:registered migration agentsAustralian citizens
What the official document says:- It is made under subsection 30(4) of the Regulations and the Migration Agents Regulations 1998 for the repeal of IMMI 18/003.
- LIN 26/002 commences on the same day as the Regulations (1 April 2026).
- In consultation with stakeholders and peak bodies, the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) reviewed IMMI 18/003 to ensure LIN 26/002 is fit for purpose.
Migration Agents (CPD Activities, Approval of CPD Providers and CPD Provider Standards) Instrument 2026
A new instrument about migration agents was made.
Registered: 13 Mar 2026Starts: 13 Mar 2026F2026L00244From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:registered migration agentsAustralian citizensfamily-stream applicants
What the official document says:- Schedule 3—Repeals Item 1 of Schedule 3 repeals the Migration Agents (IMMI 17/047: CPD Activities, Approval of CPD Providers and CPD Provider Standards) Instrument 2017 in its entirety. 16
Migration Amendment (Training Visas—Sponsorship Requirements) Regulations 2026
The rules for training visas have changed.
Registered: 10 Mar 2026Starts: 10 Mar 2026F2026L00221From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:sponsors and sponsoring employersemployers
What the official document says:- The purpose of the Migration Amendment (Training Visas—Sponsorship Requirements) Regulations 2026 (the Instrument) is to amend the Migration Regulations 1994 (the Migration Regulations) to update the requirements for making a valid application for a Class GF visa, which only includes one visa subclass, the Subclass 407 (Training) visa (Subclass 407 visa).
- A Subclass 407 visa can be granted for up to two years and is intended for individuals to complete workplace-based training (to improve skills for their current occupation, area of tertiary study or field of expertise), or a professional development training program.
- The Instrument provides that in order for an applicant to make a valid application for a Subclass 407 visa, the applicant must have an approved temporary activities sponsor and if the sponsor is not a Commonwealth agency, an approved nomination for a program of training.
Migration Regulations 1994
A new instrument about migration rules was made.
Registered: 6 Mar 2026F1996B03551Auto-extracted — check the official text
Who is affected:visa applicantssponsors and sponsoring employersemployersAdministrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) / ARD litigantsAustralian citizens
What the official document says:- Migration Regulations - Federal Register of Legislation Skip to main Text Details Authorises Downloads All versions Interactions Migration Regulations Citation change In force Administered by Department of Home Affairs This item is authorised by the following title: Migration Act 1958 Superseded version Click for more info View latest version View as made version Order print co …
- Interpretation 4.02 Application for internal review 4.03 Combined applications for internal review 4.04 Internal review—prescribed fee and waiver 4.05 Refund of fee for internal review 4.06 Review officer’s power to give directions 4.07 Notification of decision of review officer 4.08 Response to invitation to give information or comments on internal review of decision—prescribe …
- Extended Eligibility (Temporary) (Class TK) 1212.
Immigration (Education) (Classes of Temporary Visas Eligible for English Courses) Determination 2026
A new instrument about English courses for visa holders was made.
Registered: 6 Mar 2026Starts: 6 Mar 2026F2026L00216From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:*Scope unclear — manual review recommended.*
What the official document says:- This Disallowable Legislative Instrument is made under subsection 4A(2) of the IE Act, which empowers the Minister to specify a class of temporary visa for the purposes of subparagraph 4A(1)(a)(ii) of the IE Act, to access English courses inside Australia.
- It is also made under subsection 4(2) of the IE Act whereby the Minister may specify a class of temporary visa for the purposes of subparagraph 4(1)(b)(ii) of IE Act, to access English courses outside Australia.
- The purpose of this Disallowable Legislative Instrument is to repeal and replace the Immigration (Education) (Specification of temporary visas) Instrument (LIN 21/013) 2021.
February 2026 — 4 changes
Migration Amendment (Temporary Graduate Visa Application Charge) Regulations 2026
The rules for temporary graduate visas have changed.
Registered: 28 Feb 2026Starts: 28 Feb 2026F2026L00163From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:visa applicantssponsors and sponsoring employersAustralian citizensstudent visa holdersfamily-stream applicants
What the official document says:- The Migration Amendment (Temporary Graduate Visa Application Charge) Regulations 2026 (the Regulations) prescribes a 100 per cent increase to the visa application charge (VAC) for the Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa (Subclass 485 visa) for all applicants, with the exception of passport holders of certain countries.
- In line with the differentiated VAC structure for the Subclass 500 (Student) visa, the VAC increase in the Regulations does not apply for Subclass 485 visa applicants where the primary applicant holds a valid passport issued by one of the following countries: Federated States of Micronesia; Fiji; Kiribati; Nauru; Palau; Papua New Guinea; Republic of the Marshall Islands; Samoa …
- In effect, this means that affected VACs for Subclass 485 visa applicants, except those listed above, are increased on 1 March 2026 from their previous 2025-26 amounts.
Migration Agents Regulations 2026
A new instrument about migration agents was made.
Registered: 25 Feb 2026Starts: 25 Feb 2026F2026L00118From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:visa applicantsemployersregistered migration agentsAdministrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) / ARD litigantsAustralian citizens
What the official document says:- community to object to that individual’s or individuals’ intent to be registered as a migration agent through providing a written objection to the MARA within 30 days of the relevant notice being published.
- Section 29 prescribes the time period of 28 days within which an applicant for registration as an RMA may be required to provide further information in relation to their application.
- Regulation 30 sets out prescribed qualifications for registration as an RMA and provides that the Minister may specify related matters by legislative instrument.
Migration Agents Registration Application Charge Regulations 2026
A new instrument about migration agents was made.
Registered: 23 Feb 2026Starts: 23 Feb 2026F2026L00119From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:employersregistered migration agentsAustralian citizens
No plain summary was extracted for this item — see the official page for details.
Migration Legislation (Migration Agents) (Repeal and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2026
Old rules about migration agents were repealed.
Registered: 23 Feb 2026Starts: 23 Feb 2026F2026L00120From the official Explanatory Statement
Who is affected:sponsors and sponsoring employersregistered migration agentsAustralian citizenspermanent residents
What the official document says:- The purpose of the Amendment Regulations is to repeal the 1998 Regulations and to make consequential amendments to the Migration (Migration Agents Code of Conduct Regulations 2021 (the Code of Conduct) and Migration Regulations 1994 (the Migration Regulations) to give effect to the relevant sections of the Regulations.
- In particular the Amendment Regulations will: repeal the Migration Agents Regulations 1998 (the 1998 Regulations); insert a new definition of consumer guide into section 7 of the Code of Conduct to give effect to subsection 43(1) of the Regulations; amend paragraph 27(a) of the Code of Conduct to give effect to section 33 of the Regulations; repeal the note and substitute two n …
- The Amendment Regulations aim to ensure the Code of Conduct is consistent with the Regulations.
Legal words, explained
- Legislative instrument
- A law made by a minister or official under powers given by an Act of Parliament. Most migration rule changes are made this way, without a parliamentary vote.
- FRLI ID (e.g. F2026L01347)
- The official reference number on the Federal Register of Legislation. Use it to find the exact document on legislation.gov.au.
- Registered
- The date the instrument was published on the Federal Register of Legislation. Registration usually happens just before the rules start.
- Commencement
- The date the new rules actually start to apply. Sometimes it is later than the registration date.
- Explanatory Statement (ES)
- A plain-language document the government must attach to each instrument, explaining what it does and why. The descriptions on this site are taken from it.
- Disallowance
- Within 15 sitting days of being tabled, either House of Parliament can vote to cancel (disallow) an instrument. Until that window closes, a change is not fully settled.
- Migration Regulations 1994
- The main set of rules under the Migration Act 1958. They contain the detailed criteria for every Australian visa. Most changes on this page amend these regulations.
- Schedule 1 / Schedule 2
- Schedule 1 sets the rules for making a valid visa application; Schedule 2 sets the criteria for actually being granted the visa.
- LIN (Legislative Instrument Number)
- An internal reference used by the Department of Home Affairs for instruments that specify details of visa rules, e.g. which applicants are covered.
- Subclass
- Australia numbers every visa type, e.g. Subclass 500 is the Student visa. The number identifies exactly which visa a rule affects.