Australian Immigration Daily News

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

and

The Migration (Specification of Class of Persons) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/091) will commence on 1 October 2025, repealing and replacing IMMI 15/026

This legislative instrument, made under paragraphs 050.613A(1)(b) and 051.611A(1)(c) of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations 1994, applies to Subclass 050 (Bridging (General)) and Subclass 051 (Bridging (Protection Visa Applicant)) visas.

It specifies that persons granted a Bridging Visa E under section 195A of the Migration Act 1958 are a class of persons who may be permitted to work while holding that visa. As a result, conditions 8101 (no work) and 8116 (restricted work) will not be imposed for this group.

The Australian Border Force (Secrecy and Disclosure) Rule 2025 remakes and updates the 2015 Rule, which was due to sunset on 1 October 2025, to ensure continuity of lawful disclosure of Immigration and Border Protection (IBP) information under the Australian Border Force Act 2015.

The Rule:

• Retains existing provisions allowing disclosure of IBP information for the detection of persons who may pose risks to Australia or foreign countries, and for the investigation of misconduct or integrity issues.

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