Updates on Ministerial Directions for Protection Visa Applicants
New Ministerial Instructions – 4 September 2025 On 4 September 2025, the Hon Tony Burke MP, Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, and Minister for Cyber Security, issued updated instructions to the Department of Home Affairs regarding the exercise of Ministerial Intervention (MI) public interest powers under sections 46A and 48B of […]
Updates on Ministerial Directions – S351 and 501 (J)
Minister’s Personal Procedural Decisions on Existing MI Requests On 4 September 2025, the Hon Tony Burke MP, Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, and Minister for Cyber Security, made Personal Procedural Decisions (PPDs) concerning requests for Ministerial Intervention (MI) under sections 351 and 501J of the Migration Act 1958. Under these PPDs, […]
Migration Queensland Opens Up Their 2025/26 Skilled Visa Program
Skilled Visa OpportunitiesQueensland actively seeks skilled professionals from around the world to address key workforce shortages and contribute to our state’s diverse economy and thriving communities. If you meet the requirements outlined in the streams below, you may be eligible to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for Queensland nomination. Migration Queensland nominates candidates for […]
Will Australian Companies be Able to Capitalise on Potential Changes to the USA’s H-1B Visa Program?
Introduction On Friday 19 September 2025 President Trump announced proposed reforms to the USA’s H-1B visa program, notably with the imposition of a USD100,000 (approximately AUD152,000) fee on skilled worker visa applications. This has caused commotion in international business and migration sectors. These developments prompt reflection for Australian employers: could the fallout from the USA’s […]
Do Your Sponsored Workers Really Need Post-Qualification Experience for a 186 Visa?
One of the most common questions employers face when sponsoring staff under Subclass 186 Direct Entry stream is whether the required three years of work experience must be post-qualification. The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Understanding how the Migration Regulations, Departmental policy, and the ANZSCO framework interact is essential for […]
Ensuring your nominee has the relevant work experience
When Australian employers consider sponsoring a skilled overseas worker under the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa or similar employer-sponsored pathways, one of the most important, and sometimes overlooked, criteria are the “at least 1 year of full-time relevant experience within the past 5 years” requirement. This is a time of application criterion. That means […]
English Language Requirements for Australian Visas
[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”] [et_pb_row admin_label=”row”] [et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”] The Department of Home Affairs requires certain visa applicants to demonstrate English language proficiency. This helps manage immigration risk and ensures visa holders can fully engage in Australian society. Evidence of English ability must come from approved tests conducted at secure testing centres. Tests may be computer-based or […]
Key Changes to Ministerial Intervention Applications
Key changes to Ministerial Intervention requests NEED MORE INFORMATION? CMT will be running a special CPD to cover the new requirements – Registration is now open – visit the link below NEW Ministerial Intervention Guidelines with Ross Ahmadzai – 29th September 2025 – 12pm AEST (1 CPD) | Crystal Migration Training
Update From Migration Queensland
Important announcement On 2 September 2025, the Australian Government announced the total number of places in its 2025-26 Migration Program. But it is still finalising state and territory allocations. Queensland will not open the 2025-26 State Nominated Migration Program until our final program allocation is confirmed. You can however submit your Registration of Interest (ROI) […]
TRA Update – Removing Tax File Number from your application
Why you must remove personal details such as Tax File Numbers (TFNs) from TRA Skills Assessment documents Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) has updated its Applicant Guidelines to: Do not provide information that is not requiredPersonal or sensitive information that is not relevant to a TRA skills assessment must be removed before documents are lodged. For […]