Immigration news and rule changes for Australia.https://studyimmigration.com/https://studyimmigration.com/news/australia-skillselect-189-invitation-round-october-2026/https://studyimmigration.com/news/australia-skillselect-189-invitation-round-october-2026/Home Affairs will hold a SkillSelect invitation round for the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa on 15 October 2026, the first since June 2026. Who it affects: Skilled workers with a SkillSelect Expression of Interest for the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa.Fri, 09 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTAustraliapermanent-residenceannouncedhttps://studyimmigration.com/news/australia-student-provider-transfer-restriction-12-months-october-2026/https://studyimmigration.com/news/australia-student-provider-transfer-restriction-12-months-october-2026/From 2 October 2026 international students must stay with their main course for 12 months before transferring. A new transfer visa starts 1 July 2027. Who it affects: International students in Australia (other than school students) who want to change education provider, and anyone planning to switch course after arriving.Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTAustraliastudyin-effecthttps://studyimmigration.com/news/australia-student-visa-family-members-restricted-october-2026/https://studyimmigration.com/news/australia-student-visa-family-members-restricted-october-2026/From 2 October 2026 most Student visa (subclass 500) applicants cannot include a partner or children, and no student can add family after grant. Who it affects: People planning to study in Australia on a Student visa (subclass 500) who want a partner or children to come with them or join them later.Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTAustraliastudyin-effecthttps://studyimmigration.com/news/australia-student-visa-onshore-applications-restricted-october-2026/https://studyimmigration.com/news/australia-student-visa-onshore-applications-restricted-october-2026/From 2 October 2026 most temporary visa holders, including working holiday makers and many current students, cannot apply for a Student visa inside Australia. Who it affects: People in Australia on a temporary visa, including current students, who planned to apply for a Student visa (subclass 500) without leaving the country.Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTAustraliastudyin-effecthttps://studyimmigration.com/news/australia-skilled-visa-processing-priorities-md-121-122-september-2026/https://studyimmigration.com/news/australia-skilled-visa-processing-priorities-md-121-122-september-2026/From 19 September 2026, Ministerial Directions 121 and 122 replace Direction 119 and set new processing priorities for 482, 186, 189, 190 and 491 visas. Who it affects: Applicants for Skills in Demand (482), Employer Nomination (186), points-tested (189, 190, 491) and other skilled visas waiting for a decision.Sat, 19 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTAustraliawork-visasin-effecthttps://studyimmigration.com/news/australia-points-test-redesign-housing-trades-2026/https://studyimmigration.com/news/australia-points-test-redesign-housing-trades-2026/Australia will redesign its skilled points test, and housing trades will score the same as a university degree, the Home Affairs Minister said on 17 September 2026. Who it affects: Skilled migrants planning to apply for points-tested visas (subclasses 189, 190 and 491), especially people qualified in construction and housing trades.Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTAustraliapermanent-residenceannouncedhttps://studyimmigration.com/news/australia-working-holiday-second-third-year-ballot-2026/https://studyimmigration.com/news/australia-working-holiday-second-third-year-ballot-2026/Second-year Working Holiday visas will be capped at 45,000 and third-year visas at 5,000 through a ballot, the government announced on 17 September 2026. Who it affects: Working Holiday (subclass 417) and Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa holders who plan to do regional work to qualify for a second or third year in Australia.Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTAustraliawork-visasannouncedhttps://studyimmigration.com/news/australia-visitor-visa-no-further-stay-condition-2026/https://studyimmigration.com/news/australia-visitor-visa-no-further-stay-condition-2026/Future Australian visitor visas will carry a No Further Stay condition, ending most onshore visa applications by visitors, the government announced on 17 September 2026. Who it affects: People who will travel to Australia on a visitor visa in future, especially partners of Australians who planned to apply for a partner visa after arriving.Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTAustraliavisitorannounced