The new guidelines demonstrate a more robust system to review, categorize and decide travel exemption applications.

From December 1, fully vaccinated eligible visa holders can travel to Australia without applying for a travel exemption.

Summary of availability for each test in these states to assist in securing a booking for a test.

The Pacific Engagement Visa is a new permanent resident visa for certain Pacific countries and Timor-Leste.

The Skilled Occupations List has been released & the program will open in late January or February 2021.

This visa enables temporary residents to remain during the Covid-19 pandemic to work in critical areas of the economy.

Compliance actions translate into retention outcomes when you treat them as part of the employee experience.

From 1 July 2026, Australian visa application charges and salary thresholds for employer-sponsored workers are set to increase through annual indexation. While the visa fee increase is expected to be around 3%, the Core Skills Income Threshold will rise from $76,515 to $79,499, creating timing and budgeting considerations for employers preparing sponsorship applications. Should employers rush to lodge before the deadline, or does incomplete documentation pose greater risks than higher costs?

The system now rewards organisations that treat international talent as a strategic asset rather than a temporary fix. Current state of play discussed here.

Businesses that intentionally underpay employees' wages or entitlements will become liable for a criminal offence.

A labour agreement is a formal, binding agreement between an Australian employer (or industry body or regional authority) and the Commonwealth.

Obtaining Australian citizenship is not an overly complicated process, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.

The SID visa is the long-awaited replacement for the TSS (482) visa, designed to streamline skilled migration and better align with Australia's labour market needs.

Comparison of the 400 & 482 visa with a broad overview of processing times, maximum length of stay & document requirements.

The 482 Visa is a temporary skilled work visa, while the 186 Visa is a permanent employer-nominated work visa.

Key steps & options for tech startups to sponsor skilled workers, secure visas & understand compliance requirements.

Immigration is now included in a new Department of Home Affairs, with security, counter terrorism, and law enforcement.

Sponsoring overseas workers through the Subclass 482 visa creates ongoing legal obligations that extend far beyond the initial visa approval. For Australian HR leaders and in-house legal teams managing sponsored workers, compliance failures can expose the business to civil penalties up to $436,800 per breach, cancellation of sponsorship approval, and reputational damage that affects future recruitment.

The Minister for Immigration updated the order of processing for permanent skilled and temporary work visa applications.

Employers should check visa status for all non-Australian workers both before and during employment.