Australia has officially launched the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-Professionals Scheme (MATES) - a specialized visa program designed for Indian graduates and early-career professionals with knowledge and skills in targeted fields to live, work, and gain international experience in Australia for up to two years.

NSW Business and Skilled Migration

The NSW Government has announced important interim details for the 2025–26 Skilled Migration Program. These updates will help skilled migrants, employers, and agents prepare for upcoming invitation rounds and nomination opportunities.

From 30 September 2025, the Australian Department of Home Affairs has expanded the use of the Australian Immi App to ten additional countries. This enhancement allows thousands of visa applicants who have previously provided their fingerprint biometrics to access a faster, more affordable and more convenient way to meet their visa requirements.

This development is particularly valuable for travellers seeking to visit or migrate to Australia, as it streamlines the biometric process — a key step in most visa application

The Migration (Specification of Class of Persons) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/091) commenced on 1 October 2025, repealing and replacing the earlier IMMI 15/026.

On 2 September 2025, the Australian Government confirmed that the 2025–26 permanent Migration Program will remain at 185,000 places, the same level as 2024–25. This decision reflects the Government’s focus on maintaining a skills-based migration system that supports Australia’s economy while also providing pathways for family reunification.

 Everything You Need to Know:

Bridging Visa B (Subclass 020) is a temporary visa that allows certain visa applicants in Australia to travel overseas and return while awaiting a decision on their main (substantive) visa application. It is an essential option if you need to leave Australia for a short period without jeopardising your pending visa.

From 7 August 2025, the Australian Department of Home Affairs introduced changes to accepted English language tests and the scores required for visa applications.

If you are applying for an Australian visa, your application may require you to demonstrate a specific level of English — Functional, Vocational, Competent, Proficient, or Superior. The scores you need, and the tests that are accepted, will depend on:

• The visa subclass you apply for

• When you took your test

• Whether your results are still within their validity period

Why this occupation matters

Retail is one of Australia’s largest employers, and a positive Skills Assessment as a Retail Manager (General) is often the first gateway to both temporary and permanent visa pathways. VETASSESS classifies the role in Group C and expects applicants to demonstrate diploma-level knowledge and significant, hands-on management experience. The information below draws directly from the February 2021 VETASSESS infosheet for this occupation and is correct at that date; requirements can change, so always check the latest guidelines.

Why a skills assessment matters

Before a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or Managing Director (MD) can lodge most skilled-migration or employer-sponsored visa applications, they must secure a positive skills assessment from the Institute of Managers and Leaders (IML) – the official assessing authority for ANZSCO 111111. IML’s decision confirms that your qualifications and experience meet Australian standards and that you genuinely perform the duties of a senior executive. The assessment draws on two published frameworks:

·       the ANZSCO task descriptors; and

·       the Country Education Profiles (CEP) for academic comparability.

What it means for you:

On 4 August 2025, the Albanese Government confirmed a National Planning Level (NPL) of 295,000 new international student places for calendar year 2026 – 25,000 more than the 2025 limit, yet still 8 per cent below the immediate post-COVID peak. The announcement provides welcome certainty for universities, colleges, and—most importantly—prospective students weighing up study options in Australia. ministers.education.gov.au.

Important update:  NSW Government is now accepting Registrations of Interest (ROIs) for the National Innovation Visa (NIV). Don't miss this opportunity to fast-track your future in NSW. 

Insufficient Relationship Evidence

One of the most critical errors in partner visa applications is providing insufficient or weak evidence of the relationship's genuineness. Many applicants underestimate the depth of documentation required, submitting only basic evidence like photographs or a marriage certificate. The Department of Home Affairs requires comprehensive evidence across four key areas: financial, social, household, and commitment aspects.

A de facto relationship for Australian immigration purposes requires couples to demonstrate mutual commitment to a shared life, excluding all others, while living together without being legally married. The relationship must be genuine and continuing, with parties not related by family. Same-sex and opposite-sex couples are equally eligible for de facto partner recognition.

Published: July 2025 – The Department of Home Affairs has quietly switched on a new “paper‑import” feature that lets selected family‑visa applicants pull their hard‑copy files into ImmiAccount and manage them online. The change took effect on 23 July 2025.

Australia remains one of the most sought-after destinations globally, attracting millions of visitors each year for tourism, business, and family visits. The Subclass 600 Visitor Visa provides an accessible and flexible option for individuals looking to enter Australia for short-term stays. Whether you are looking to explore Australia’s landscapes, visit family or friends, or attend a business event, this visa offers a convenient solution. This comprehensive guide provides a detailed overview of the Subclass 600 Visitor Visa, including its eligibility criteria, fees, processing times, and other important factors for prospective applicants from around the world.

Understanding the Subclass 820 Visa: The Subclass 820 Partner visa is a temporary onshore partner visa that allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia. It is the first step in Australia’s two-stage partner migration process. Applicants must be inside Australia at the time of application and visa decision, reflecting its onshore nature. Upon grant, the 820 visa lets the holder live, work and study in Australia while waiting for the permanent Partner visa (Subclass 801) to be processed. During this period, 820 visa holders can access Medicare and enjoy full work rights as they transition to permanent residency.

The Post‑Higher Education Work (PHEW) stream of the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa (formerly known as the Post-Study Work stream) is designed for international graduates who have obtained an Australian higher education degree (Bachelor’s or above). It allows eligible graduates to remain in Australia temporarily to live, work and study after completing their course. This stream typically grants a stay of 2 to 3 years (depending on the level of qualification and country of passport), giving graduates an opportunity to gain work experience or pursue further studies in Australia. (Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders are an exception, with stays of up to 5 years under this visa).

Migrating to Australia is a life-changing decision — one often driven by the desire to be close to loved ones. In recognition of this, the Australian Government has introduced various family reunification visas to bring families back together under one roof. One such pathway is the Remaining Relative Visa (Subclass 115). This visa is specifically designed for individuals who have been left behind, with all or most of their immediate family members already settled in Australia as citizens or permanent residents. The Subclass 115 visa offers a pathway to those who have no other close relatives living outside Australia, allowing them to live, work, and thrive in the country with their family.

However, the process of securing this visa is not straightforward. It involves a set of strict eligibility conditions, long waiting periods due to annual migration caps, and substantial financial and legal commitments.

Dreaming of gap-year travel, short-term work, and study in Australia? The Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa lets Indians aged 18-30 live Down Under for up to 12 months, with the option to earn a second or even third visa after eligible regional work. Demand is sky-high: last year more than 98 000 Indians vied for only 1 000 places, so Canberra now runs a ballot to keep things fair. If you plan to join the 2025-26 draw, read on for everything you need to know.

As of July 1, 2025 Australia’s immigration system has recently undergone substantial revisions, introducing several important changes that will affect employers and applicants. These changes include significant increases in visa application charges, higher income thresholds for skilled visas, and potential delays in processing times for certain visa subclasses. With these adjustments, the Australian government aims to better align its immigration policies with current economic conditions and workforce needs.