Immigration blog
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Immigration Blog and Latest News

Our staff have the knowledge to deal with all immigration problems, no matter how complex. Keep abreast of immigration updates with our blog posts below.
What is the “Character Test”? Section 501 Character Criteria for Australian visas (updated 26 October 2026)
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What is the “Character Test”? Section 501 Character Criteria for Australian visas (updated 26 October 2026)

Section 501 of the Migration Act 1958 (the Act) is a provision of Australian Immigration law that enables the Department of Home Affairs (Department) to refuse or cancel a visa if the visa applicant (or visa holder) does not pass the “character test”. There are numerous ways with which a person could not pass the “character test”, which broadly speaking…
Immigration blog
26 October, 2026
What Happens After a 186 Nomination Refusal? Options, Timeframes and Next Steps
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What Happens After a 186 Nomination Refusal? Options, Timeframes and Next Steps

If you are sponsoring, or being sponsored for, an Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (Subclass 186) visa, a refused nomination can feel like the end of the road. However, a nomination refusal does not necessarily mean your ENS pathway is over. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to: apply for merits review of the refusal at the Administrative Review…
Immigration blog
23 October, 2026
Employer Sanctions, Penalties and Enforcement
Immigration blog
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Employer Sanctions, Penalties and Enforcement

If your business sponsors overseas workers, the Australian Border Force (ABF) can bar you from sponsoring, cancel your sponsorship approval, issue infringement notices, or take you to court for civil penalties if you breach your sponsorship obligations. Sanctioned businesses are also named publicly on the ABF website. This article explains what this means for employers in practical terms: what can…
Immigration blog
23 October, 2026
The National Innovation Visa (Updated: 22 October 2026)
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The National Innovation Visa (Updated: 22 October 2026)

On 14 May 2024, the Australian Government released the Federal Budget for the 2024/25 year, which included a raft of Immigration-related measures. Notably, it announced that a new National Innovation Visa (NIV) would be released in late-2024, to replace the Global Talent (Subclass 858) visa and the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP). On 6 December 2024, relevant legislation formally introduced…
Immigration blog
22 October, 2026
Student (Subclass 500) Visa Changes (Updated on 20 October 2026)
Immigration blog
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Student (Subclass 500) Visa Changes (Updated on 20 October 2026)

From 2 October 2026, new migration laws have significantly changed who can apply for a Student (Subclass 500) visa in Australia, and who can be included in that application. In short, if you already hold a Student visa and want to apply for another one, you will now generally need to do so from outside Australia, and holders of many…
Immigration blog
20 October, 2026
Commencing 31 October 2026: How Ministerial Direction 123 will change the character assessment
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Commencing 31 October 2026: How Ministerial Direction 123 will change the character assessment

Ministerial Direction No. 123 (Direction 123) is the new set of ‘primary’ and ‘other’ considerations that decision-makers must take into account when deciding whether to refuse or cancel a visa on character grounds, or whether to revoke a mandatory cancellation. It was signed on 18 September 2026 by Minister Tony Burke, commences on 31 October 2026 and revokes Ministerial Direction…
Immigration blog
5 October, 2026