Australian Immigration Daily News

The Migration Amendment (Student Visa Reform) Regulations 2026 amend the Migration Regulations 1994 to restrict further onshore Student visa applications and the inclusion of family members.

The amendments apply to visa applications made on or after 2 October 2026.

Further Student visa applications

Migration Alliance invites Registered Migration Agents and migration lawyers to attend the online National Migration Conference 2026: Home Affairs and OMARA Updates on Wednesday, 18 November 2026.

The program features a 2026 migration law and policy update from immigration lawyer Arnela Tolic, followed by updates from the Department of Home Affairs and the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA).

Date: Wednesday, 18 November 2026
Time: 10:30 am–12:00 pm AEDT (Sydney time)
Location: Online (Teams)
CPD: 1 Category B CPD point for RMAs; 1 CPD/CLE point for lawyers

The Australian Government has registered the Migration (Arrangements for Visitor (Class FA) Visa Applications) Amendment Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/060).

The instrument commences on 29 September 2026 and updates the approved travel agents for Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa applications in the Approved Destination Status (ADS) stream.

Approved Destination Status Stream

The ADS stream facilitates organised group travel from the People’s Republic of China to Australia.

The Australian Government has registered the Migration (Arrangements for eVisitor Visa Applications) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/061).

The instrument commences on 29 September 2026 and specifies the approved form and lodgement requirements for valid Subclass 651 (eVisitor) visa applications within the Visitor (Class TV) visa class.

Application Requirements

Under LIN 26/061, a valid Subclass 651 visa application must:

The Australian Government has introduced the Migration (Arrangements for Maritime Crew Visa Applications) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/025), which will commence on 1 November 2026.

The new instrument repeals and replaces IMMI 16/115 and specifies the approved form, place and manner for making a valid application for a Maritime Crew (Temporary) (Class ZM) visa.

Online Lodgement Arrangements

Applicants will continue to lodge online using Form 1273 (Internet), in accordance with the Department of Home Affairs’ electronic application procedures.