Insights
Reports on NOM reduction reforms mainly concern ordinary Subclass 500 Student visa dependants; other temporary visas and Subclass 590 are expected to be unaffected. Dependant applications already lodged and visas already granted are also expected to be unaffected, although assessment strictness may change.
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A student visa appeal on financial grounds needs evidence of sufficient, lawfully sourced and genuinely accessible funds, alongside continued enrolment. After two refusals and further evidence, ART ruled in this applicant’s favour without a hearing.
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As at 21 August 2026, offshore family migration applications were considered individually only in compelling circumstances; others were largely stalled. Queensland said it had received 1,850 Subclass 190 and 750 Subclass 491 places, with an opening date still to be determined.
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An applicant with a mechanical engineering background received a TRA provisional assessment in August 2026 after a 26-week Fast Track tiling course. The JRP then requires 1,725 hours of paid work, and Subclass 485 holders need to consider their remaining visa validity.
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Tasmania expects weekly invitations for about 37 Subclass 190 ROIs and 26 Subclass 491 ROIs from 20 August 2026. Changes to Massage Therapist and Motor Mechanic requirements depend on the ROI lodgement date; submissions before 1 December 2026 follow the old rules.
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Australia's August 2026 migration policy announcement has been delayed because Cabinet considered the plan insufficiently comprehensive and too weak. Discussions focus on overstayers and reducing net overseas migration, with the policy also expected to involve tighter family migration settings and limits on working holiday visa numbers.
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The Australian Census is compulsory regardless of PR status. If you are in a de facto relationship and no matching marital-status option is available, you can select Never Married. ABS will not share personal information with Home Affairs to cross-check visa applications.
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Waiting for a skilled migration visa grant? At the end of May 2026, the Subclass 189 backlog had fallen to 4.5k, Subclass 190 had risen to 22,000, Subclass 491 had fallen to 16847 and Subclass 191 stood near 25,000. Subclass 191 grants exceeded 1.5k in May 2026.
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Around half the overall Subclass 190 and 491 state nomination allocations remained at the end of February 2026. Usage varies by state; Tasmania also lists pending nominations and estimates available places, so distinguish reported balances from rough estimates when assessing remaining capacity.
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By the end of February 2026, early childhood teaching had over 13k EOIs at 85 points or more and a remaining allocation ceiling below 200. Nursing had around 6k places remaining, constrained by the overall Subclass 189 allocation. Consider occupation allocations alongside scores.
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