News

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has announced major changes to Australia’s migration system affecting international students, Visitor visas, Working Holiday visas, skilled migration, visa overstayers and migration agents. ILM Australia examines the key announcements, what they could mean for visa holders and applicants, and why commencement dates and transitional arrangements will be critical.

New research shows net overseas migration accounted for 46.2% of regional Australia’s population growth in 2025, highlighting how important migrants have become to regional communities, employers and Australia’s future workforce.

More than 620,000 Australian residents were born across 18 Middle Eastern and surrounding countries. We examine the latest ABS figures for Iraq, Lebanon, Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Türkiye and other communities.

Can an ART decision be challenged simply because the Tribunal made a mistake? A recent Full Federal Court decision highlights the important distinction between an error in an ART decision and jurisdictional error capable of judicial review.

Home Affairs has updated Australian visa processing times for September 2026, with significant movements affecting Partner, Subclass 482, Subclass 186 and skilled migration visas.

A Student visa refused under PIC 4020 over alleged bogus financial documents was successfully challenged at the ART before ultimately being granted by Home Affairs. Read the three-year journey from refusal to visa grant.

Australia has used new ESOS integrity powers for the first time to stop new international student enrolments in a Graduate Diploma, signalling increased scrutiny of course transfers and student visa pathways.

Australian employers are reporting workforce delays following Direction 119, which gives many onshore skilled visa applicants priority over workers applying from overseas.

The Administrative Review Tribunal has updated its processing times for Australian migration and protection reviews. We examine the latest figures, what has changed and what visa applicants waiting for an ART decision need to know.

Pauline Hanson argues that migration should be substantially reduced, even if Australian businesses are affected. Youssef Haddad examines where Hanson has a point, where he disagrees, and why Australia needs a migration strategy that balances housing, infrastructure, skills shortages and the needs of Australian businesses.

Australia’s post-COVID migration surge has fallen substantially, but overseas migration remains the dominant source of national population growth. We examine the latest ABS figures for Net Overseas Migration and natural increase since 2020 and ask what Australia’s population growth would look like without migration.

Can Iranian citizens still obtain Australian tourist visas in 2026? We examine official Home Affairs statistics, historical grant and refusal rates, increased scrutiny since the Iran war, and the Arrival Control Determination affecting some Iranian Visitor visa holders.

Home Affairs has a clear warning about using artificial intelligence to create or modify documents for Australian visa applications. Learn where the line is, the risks of inaccurate or manipulated information, and what visa applicants need to know before using AI.

ACT Skilled Migration has changed for 2026–27. Learn about the new Canberra Matrix system, ACT Migration Portal, fees, ranking process and what the changes mean for Subclass 190 and 491 applicants.

Tasmania’s 2026–27 Skilled Migration Program opens on 17 August 2026, with weekly invitations commencing from 20 August. Discover the new nomination settings, Subclass 190 and 491 allocations, and important changes for applicants.

Australia’s National Innovation Visa is highly competitive. The latest Department of Home Affairs data reveals who is receiving invitations and which priority sectors are attracting Australia’s exceptional talent.