Australian Immigration Daily News

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 The instrument commences on 15 July 2026, applies to visa applications lodged on or after that date, and is repealed on 16 November 2026, following the conclusion of the tournament. 

There has been an important operational change to the way Registered Migration Agents can complete their annual CPD requirements online.

From 1 July 2026, there is now a maximum of 6 online CPD points that can be completed within any continuous 24-hour period.

This applies to all online CPD combined, including:

The Australian Government has introduced the Migration (Arrangements for Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) Visa) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/072), which commenced on 1 July 2026. The instrument repeals and replaces the previous 2021 instrument to align with amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994 relating to the administration of the Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visa program.

The instrument preserves the existing administrative framework for the Subclass 462 visa, including the approved application forms, lodgement requirements, eligible passport-issuing countries, country-specific age limits, exemptions from government support requirements for certain applicants, and prescribed educational qualification requirements.

The amendments are consequential to broader reforms to the Working Holiday Maker Program, with the age criterion for Subclass 462 applicants being relocated from the visa grant provisions to the visa application provisions of the Migration Regulations. The instrument does not introduce substantive changes to eligibility requirements but ensures the continued operation of the existing legislative framework.

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.