Australian Immigration Daily News

Australia's Registered Migration Agent regulator has finalised 135 complaints in six months, combining firm sanctions for serious misconduct with education and proportionate intervention in less serious matters.

New data released by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) provides a positive picture of an active regulator taking a measured and increasingly transparent approach to professional standards.

OMARA's Migration Agent Activity Report for 1 July to 31 December 2025 shows that the regulator finalised 135 complaints during the six-month reporting period.

The Department of Home Affairs provides dedicated information and support for people experiencing domestic and family violence through its website. These pages are regularly reviewed and updated and translated into different languages: Domestic and Family Violence Information 

The website includes a downloadable information sheet that RMAs may provide to clients, where appropriate. This resource was developed in consultation with the International Organization for Migration and is attached below.

The website also hosts the Temporary visa holder domestic and family violence contact form, which is the Department's preferred point of contact for clients and RMAs seeking information or support regarding visa status or other DFV-related immigration matters.

The Australian Government has introduced the Migration (Specification of Commonwealth Priorities for Subclass 202 (Global Special Humanitarian) Visas) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/036), which establishes the Commonwealth's priorities for assessing applications under the Subclass 202 (Global Special Humanitarian) visa within the Community Support Program (CSP).

The instrument aligns with the CSP's objective of supporting humanitarian entrants who are well placed to establish themselves in Australia and achieve financial independence.

The Commonwealth priorities include:

The Australian Government has introduced the Migration (Annual Applicant Limits for Subclass 202 (Global Special Humanitarian) Visas) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/035), establishing annual limits on the number of applicants that each Approved Proposing Organisation (APO) may propose under the Community Support Program (CSP).

The instrument specifies that:

• Each APO will be subject to an annual applicant allocation for the financial year commencing 1 July 2026.
• Both primary and secondary applicants are counted towards an APO's allocation.
• Where the applicable limit would be exceeded, the Subclass 202 visa application will be invalid and cannot be considered.
• The instrument also clarifies the methodology for counting applicants, including circumstances where responsibility for a proposal is transferred between APOs, ensuring applicants are not counted twice.

The explanatory statement notes that the reforms are intended to provide a more transparent and predictable framework for managing Community Support Program places while requiring Approved Proposing Organisations to carefully plan and administer their annual allocations.

The Migration (Nil VAC Arrangements and Other Matters) Amendment (Rugby League World Cup 2026) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/082) amends the existing Migration (Nil VAC Arrangements and Other Matters) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/074) to facilitate Australia's hosting of the Rugby League World Cup 2026. It establishes a nil first instalment visa application charge (VAC) for eligible applicants seeking a Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity) visa under the Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream.

The instrument specifies the Rugby League World Cup 2026 as an Australian Government Endorsed Event and identifies the classes of persons eligible for the nil VAC. These include members of competing teams, official coaching and support staff, match officials, broadcast rights holders, non-rights holder media personnel, VIPs and other persons participating in the tournament in an official capacity, provided they have been accredited by the Australian Rugby League Commission.

The measure gives effect to the Australian Government's immigration support commitment for the Rugby League World Cup 2026 by removing the first instalment visa application charge for eligible participants. The instrument commences on 15 July 2026, applies to visa applications lodged on or after that date, and is repealed on 16 November 2026, following the conclusion of the tournament.