Australian Immigration Daily News

Significant changes to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements for Registered Migration Agents (RMAs) will take effect from 1 April 2026 under the Migration Agents (CPD Activities, Approval of CPD Providers and CPD Provider Standards) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/001).

The updated framework introduces clearer structure and stricter compliance requirements for annual re-registration. RMAs must now complete a total of 10 CPD points within the 12 months prior to applying for re-registration, including:

• At least 5 Category A CPD points (compulsory)

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The Migration (Specified Courses and Exams for Registration as a Migration Agent) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/002) has been introduced and will commence on 1 April 2026, replacing the previous Migration (IMMI 18/003: Specified courses and exams for registration as a migration agent) Instrument 2018.

This legislative instrument specifies the approved courses, prescribed examinations, minimum examination scores and completion timeframes required for individuals seeking registration as a Registered Migration Agent (RMA) under the Migration Agents Regulations 2026.

Key elements of the instrument include:

The Migration Agents (CPD Activities, Approval of CPD Providers and CPD Provider Standards) Instrument 2026 was made by the Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs on 11 March 2026 and commences on 1 April 2026. The instrument repeals and replaces the Migration Agents (IMMI 17/047) Instrument 2017.

The instrument is made under the Migration Agents Regulations 2026 and sets out the framework governing:

• Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities for registered migration agents

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Migration Amendment (Training Visas - Sponsorship Requirements) Regulations 2026

The Australian Government has introduced the Migration Amendment (Training Visas—Sponsorship Requirements) Regulations 2026, which amend the Migration Regulations 1994 and update the validity requirements for the Subclass 407 (Training) visa.

Under the amendments, an applicant will only be able to make a valid application for a Subclass 407 visa if they have an approved Temporary Activities Sponsor. In addition, where the sponsor is not a Commonwealth agency, there must also be an approved nomination for a program of occupational training before the visa application can be lodged.

The Criminal Code (Prohibited Hate Group—Hizb ut-Tahrir) Regulations 2026 designate the organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir as a prohibited hate group under subsection 114A.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995. The regulations were made under section 5 of the Act, which empowers the Governor-General to prescribe matters necessary to give effect to the Criminal Code.

The designation was made after the AFP Minister determined, on reasonable grounds and based on advice from relevant agencies, that Hizb ut-Tahrir has advocated conduct constituting hate crimes and that formally listing the organisation is reasonably necessary to protect the Australian community from social, psychological and physical harm. Evidence considered included instances where the organisation publicly praised attacks that would constitute hate crimes if carried out in Australia, including violence targeting Jewish people.

By specifying Hizb ut-Tahrir as a prohibited hate group, the regulations activate offence provisions in Division 114B of the Criminal Code, making it a criminal offence to engage in certain conduct connected with the organisation. These offences include directing the activities of the group, membership, recruiting individuals, providing training, supplying or receiving funds, and otherwise providing support to the organisation. The purpose of these measures is to prevent the group from operating in Australia and to limit the spread of its ideology.