Australian Immigration Daily News

The Migration (2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup – Class of Persons for Nil VAC) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/116) establishes special visa arrangements for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup to be held in Australia from 1–21 March 2026.

This instrument:

• Specifies the Women's Asian Cup as an Australian Government endorsed event (AGEE) under the Subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa framework; and

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As announced by Austroads on 21 October 2024, changes are being introduced to the Recognised Country Scheme for Experienced Driver Recognition status for car and motorcycle licences.   

The 31 October 2025 deadline for Experienced Driver Recognition status to cease has now been extended to 31 January 2026 for the recognised countries and jurisdictions in List B in NSW. Other states and territories will end the EDR category prior to this.   

The extension of this date will allow drivers from these currently recognised countries and jurisdictions additional time to transfer their overseas licence to a NSW driving licence.  

This Department’s latest Admin Paper provides a detailed snapshot of how Australia’s migration and citizenship system performed in 2024–25, a year of strong policy reform and stabilisation after pandemic-era disruption.

Highlights

- 9.48 million visa applications were lodged, up 1.7 % from 2023-24, with 9.45 million finalised and a 7.3 % refusal rate
- Temporary visas in effect rose 3.5 % to 2.78 million, driven by strong demand for skilled and working-holiday programs
- Net Overseas Migration (NOM) eased to 316,000 to March 2025, down from the post-COVID peak of 556,000, with forecasts trending to 225,000 by 2028–29
- Student-visa reforms (genuine-student test, higher English and financial thresholds, and the end of COVID concessions) led to a 26 % drop in lodgements
- Skills in Demand (SID) and National Innovation visas launched 7 Dec 2024, replacing the TSS program and targeting critical workforce needs
- Working-Holiday Maker visas surged 37 %, while bridging visa holders rose 24 %, reflecting ongoing program churn
- The Migration Program (2024–25) delivered its full quota of 185,000 places, 71 % Skilled and 28 % Family
- Top source countries: India, China, Philippines, UK, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka

Policy Themes

- Downward pressure on NOM through closure of pandemic visas and “permanent temporariness” pathways.
- Emphasis on integrity and quality in international education.
- Targeted, faster processing for skilled migration tied to genuine labour shortages.
- Expansion of regional and labour-agreement pathways (Aged Care ILA, PALM, MATES scheme).
- Continued focus on protecting migrant workers and community safety under the Character and Integrity programs.

Looking Ahead

2025-26 planning levels remain at 185,000 places (132,200 Skilled / 52,500 Family). Longer-term reforms include regional migration settings, essential-skills pathways, and integration of Jobs & Skills Australia advice into visa planning

Australia’s migration system is entering a new phase of balance, attracting global talent, protecting integrity, and supporting national prosperity.

Source:  The-Administration-of-the-Immigration-and-Citizenship-Programs---15th-edition-Oct-2025.pdf

The Department of Home Affairs has released a new legislative instrument under regulation 5.34E of the Migration Regulations 1994, updating the framework for the disclosure of identifying information to specified international organisations in accordance with paragraph 336F(1)(e) of the Migration Act 1958.

This instrument replaces the previous 2016 version (IMMI 16/068), ensuring continued lawful information sharing between Australia and international bodies for humanitarian, legal, and administrative purposes.

Key updates include:

Please find attached important updates regarding Ministerial Intervention under sections 351, 501J, 46A and 48B of the Migration Act 1958.

Letter---Ministerial-Intervention---section-351-and-501J.pdf

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