Australian Immigration Daily News

The Department of Home Affairs and the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) will present at Legal Training Australia’s upcoming National Migration Conference: Home Affairs and OMARA Updates (CN220).

Held online on 18 November 2026, from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm AEDT, the conference will bring together departmental, regulatory and legal updates relevant to registered migration agents and immigration lawyers.

Department of Home Affairs update

At 11:00 am, Camm Gibson, Assistant Director, Business, Industry and Regional Outreach – QLD/NT, Department of Home Affairs, will address:

• The important role registered migration agents play in Australia’s migration system.

• Recently announced migration reforms.

• Departmental action against unlawful immigration assistance and worker exploitation.

• Processing times and decision-ready applications.

• Channels for contacting the Department.

OMARA regulator update

At 11:30 am, Kimberley Turner, Director, OMARA Governance and Coordination, Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority, will present an update covering:

• A snapshot of the migration agent profession.

• OMARA’s new monitoring function.

• What agents can expect if selected for monitoring.

• Developments on the horizon, including the Occupational Competency Standards update and changes to the Code of Conduct.

The presentation offers practitioners an opportunity to hear directly from the regulator about monitoring and upcoming professional standards developments.

2026 migration law and policy update

At 10:35 am, Immigration Lawyer Arnela Tolic will provide an overview of 2026 legislative and policy developments. Topics include Ministerial Directions 117, 121, 122 and 123, Student visa reforms, regional migration settings and changes affecting family, humanitarian, working holiday and other visa pathways.

The conference opens at 10:30 am with a welcome from Allianz Partners and closes at 12:00 pm.

Registration

National Migration Conference: Home Affairs and OMARA Updates
18 November 2026 | 10:30 am–12:00 pm AEDT
Online | Event code: CN220

Register through Legal Training Australia.