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 The instrument commences on 15 July 2026, applies to visa applications lodged on or after that date, and is repealed on 16 November 2026, following the conclusion of the tournament. 

Source:  Migration-NIL-Vac-Amendment-RLWC-2026-instrument.pdf and Migration-NIL-Vac-Amendment-RLWC-2026-instrument----explanatory-statement.pdf