August 19, 2026
Migration News
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It’s in the news, in political conversations, across social media and, of course, in many conversations within our own community. And with so much information circulating, it can sometimes be difficult to understand what is actually changing, what is simply being discussed, and, most importantly, what it means for you and your migration journey.
The past few weeks have certainly given us a lot to talk about.
We’ve seen new visa processing priorities come into effect, changes and pauses affecting parts of the Working Holiday Maker program (Subclass 462), developments across state migration programs, and some important trends emerging from the Department’s recent decisions.
Some of these updates bring new opportunities. Others require a little more caution and preparation.
So, in this edition, we want to take you through what has been happening in the Australian migration world, explain the developments we believe are worth paying attention to, and share some positive news from our own Green Wings community too.
As always, our goal is not to overwhelm you with migration news, but to help you understand the information that may actually matter to you.
On 25 July 2026, the Australian Government introduced new Ministerial Directions changing the way certain Skilled and Family visa applications are prioritised for processing.
One of the key objectives of the new directions is to give greater priority to onshore applicants, while supporting the Government’s broader goal of reducing Net Overseas Migration.
For skilled migration, the new Ministerial Direction 119 determines which applications are processed first. This includes employer-sponsored visas such as Subclass 482, 186, 189, 190, 191, 491 and 494
It is important to remember that priority processing does not change the eligibility requirements for a visa, nor does it guarantee an approval. It determines the order in which applications are considered by the Department.
✅ Defence and Law Enforcement occupations now receive the highest priority
✅ Construction, Healthcare and Teaching occupations are also prioritised
✅ Applicants already in Australia are generally processed ahead of those applying from overseas
Source: read here
We have been talking about the Subclass 407 Training visa quite a lot recently — and unfortunately, for good reason.
The Department has been applying significantly greater scrutiny to this visa pathway. According to the Australian Border Force, 55% of Subclass 407 applications in the 2025–26 financial year to 30 April had either been refused or withdrawn.
The Government has also made it very clear that the 407 is intended for genuine, structured workplace-based training and professional development — not as an alternative pathway for ongoing employment in Australia.
At Green Wings Migration, we have also seen this increased scrutiny firsthand, including a concerning spike in refusals during July.
This does not mean that nobody should consider a 407 visa. It does mean that applicants and sponsors need to understand that this is currently a highly scrutinised visa category, and a strong, genuine and carefully prepared training plan is more important than ever.
Read more here
If you are hoping to apply for a first Work and Holiday visa (Subclass 462), you may have noticed that applications for some participating countries are currently listed as paused.
But “paused” does not necessarily mean “closed for the year”.
The Department of Home Affairs can temporarily pause applications to manage the number of applications received throughout the program year or when a country is approaching its annual visa cap.
Importantly, a country with a paused status may reopen again during the same program year, while a closed status means no further applications will be accepted for that country until the following program year.
If your country is currently paused, keep an eye on the official status — things can change.
The increase applies to Professional Skills Assessment applications and extends to the Priority Processing fee, the Skills Assessment Support service, the Chinese Qualifications Verification service, all non-migration skills assessments and administration fees. VETASSESS has confirmed the increase does not apply to trade occupation skills assessments, which remain at current rates.
The fee for a full skills assessment, including under Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) and Industry Labour Agreements (ILA), will rise from $1096 to $1146. Find the updated fee schedule on the VETASSESS website
Any application received before 9 September 2026 will be charged at current rates.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke was expected to deliver a major National Press Club address this month outlining the Government’s approach to “managing the migration program”. The speech has now been postponed, with the Government indicating it is likely to take place in the coming weeks.
While we are still waiting for the full announcement, reports suggest that the Government is considering further changes aimed at reducing net overseas migration and encouraging more temporary residents to leave Australia when their visas come to an end.
At this stage, however, nothing has been formally announced, so it is important not to speculate about exactly what the final changes will look like.
For migrants, this means we are entering a period where being strategic, informed and prepared is becoming increasingly important.
We will be watching the Minister’s upcoming speech closely and, once the Government confirms any changes, we will explain what they mean for you and your migration options.
For now, don’t make decisions based on headlines alone. If changes are announced that affect your visa or pathway, we will keep you informed.
The content on this article offers general advice only and should not be taken as individual advice for your personal circumstances. Information provided is subject to change, and before proceeding with an application, seek professional personalized advice. We cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions. Given the dynamic nature of Australian immigration laws, it is best to contact us before making decisions. Alternatively, check the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) website for up-to-date information.
