Australian Immigration Daily News

The Australian Government has introduced the Migration (Arrangements for Subclass 417 (Working Holiday) Visa) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/048), which commenced on 1 July 2026. The instrument repeals and replaces the previous 2022 arrangements to align with amendments made to the Migration Regulations 1994 concerning the administration of the Working Holiday visa program.

The principal amendment increases the maximum age for Working Holiday visa applicants from 30 to 35 years for passport holders from Cyprus, Finland, Germany and the Republic of Korea, reflecting updated bilateral agreements between Australia and those partner countries.

The instrument also preserves the existing administrative framework for the Subclass 417 visa, including the approved application form, the manner and place of application, eligible passport requirements and country-specific age settings.

The Australian Government has introduced the Migration Amendment (Working Holiday Maker Age Criteria) Regulations 2026, which commence on 1 July 2026 and make technical amendments to the administration of the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program.

The amendments do not alter the existing age eligibility requirements for the Subclass 417 (Working Holiday) or Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visas. Rather, they relocate the age criteria from the visa grant provisions to the visa application provisions of the Migration Regulations.

As a result, applicants must satisfy the relevant age requirements at the time of lodging a valid visa application. Applicants who do not meet the prescribed age criteria will no longer be able to lodge a valid application, rather than having their application refused after lodgement. This change provides greater certainty for applicants and avoids the payment of a visa application charge where the age requirements are not met.

The Australian Government has introduced the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026, implementing a range of changes to citizenship fees, visa application charges and skilled migration income thresholds, effective 1 July 2026.

The amendments include:

• Citizenship application fees have been adjusted in line with CPI to reflect the cost of administering the Australian citizenship program, while concessional and nil-fee categories remain unchanged.
• The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) has increased to $79,423 and will now be automatically indexed annually through the Migration Regulations, ensuring ongoing alignment with the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT).
• Visa Application Charges (VACs)have increased across most visa subclasses, including:
  • a 25% increase to the first instalment of the VAC for most visas;
  • an increase in the base application charge for Student (Subclass 500) and Student Guardian (Subclass 590) visas from $2,000 to $2,500;
  • continued concessional arrangements for eligible applicants from Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste; and
  • ongoing CPI indexation for other visa application charges.

These amendments give effect to the Government's 2026–27 Budget measures and are intended to support the sustainability of Australia's migration and citizenship programs while maintaining existing policy settings in key areas.

From 1 July 2026, application fees in the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) will increase.

The new fees include:

• Standard application: $1,195
• Small business taxation application: $641
• Certain taxation applications: $119
• Guidance and Appeals Panel applications: $1,195
• Concessional application fee: No change – remains $100

Migration & Protection Matters

• Migration review application: $3,727Protection review application: $2293
  • A 50% fee reduction may be available in cases of financial hardship.

These updated fees apply to applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026.

Migration (Daily Maintenance Amount for Persons in Detention) Determination 2026 – Explanatory Statement

This legislative instrument updates the daily detention cost amount used under section 262 of the Migration Act 1958 for certain people who are legally liable to reimburse the Commonwealth for immigration detention costs.

The instrument commences on 1 July 2026 and repeals the previous 2024 determination (LIN 24/017).