Australian Migration Update 2026: 8 Changes Affecting Students, Workers and Employers

Australian Migration Update 2026: 8 Changes Affecting Students, Workers and Employers

Suman Dua MARN 1800859
Published on: 10/09/2026

Australia's visa queue was reordered on 25 July 2026. Employer sponsored places rose to 58,040, the subclass 491 regional allocation was cut by 57 per cent, and Bridging Visa B now needs four weeks minimum. Here are the eight changes that matter.

Australian migration update 2026Bridging Visa B processing timestudent visa CoE expiringDAMA processing times 20262026-27 migration program planning levelsemployer sponsored visa places 2026-27subclass 491 regional allocation cutonshore visa priority AustraliaMinisterial Direction 117Ministerial Direction 119
Ministerial Direction 119: Australia Just Reordered the Visa Queue

Ministerial Direction 119: Australia Just Reordered the Visa Queue

Suman Dua MARN 1800859
Published on: 20/08/2026

From 25 July 2026 three new directions changed the order visas are processed. Onshore moved up, offshore moved back, and lodged files were reshuffled. Talk to us.

visa processing priorities 2026Ministerial Direction 117Ministerial Direction 120Skills in Demand 482 processingonshore visa priority Australiapartner visa processing orderFNQ DAMA endorsement feesponsorship cost recovery