Australian Migration Changes 2026: Your Confident Guide
Australian migration changes 2026 now affect visa costs, skilled processing, salary thresholds and family processing.
The newest major change started on 19 September 2026, with new skilled visa processing directions.
Several other changes began on 1 July 2026, including higher visa charges and income thresholds.
The 2026-27 permanent Migration Program also keeps 185,000 places but shifts its internal emphasis.
Some reforms are only announced. They should not be treated as current law before commencement.
This Millennium Migration update separates what is live now from what is still being rolled out.
Australian migration changes 2026 September update
Sam Lotfollahi · Registered Migration Agent · MARN 0901704
Principal at Millennium Migration · Melbourne and Adelaide · Seventeen years of migration practice.
Published 23 September 2026 · Updated 23 September 2026 · Sources checked 23 September 2026 · 15 min read
Key takeaways on Australian migration changes 2026
- New skilled visa processing priorities took effect on 19 September 2026.
- Most first-instalment visa charges increased by 25% from 1 July 2026.
- The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) and Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) are AUD $79,423; the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) is AUD $146,576.
- Family visa Direction 117 took effect on 25 July 2026.
- The 2026-27 permanent Migration Program remains at 185,000 places.
- The current skilled points threshold remains 65 despite a planned points-test reform.
- Several visitor, student and Working Holiday reforms are still being progressively rolled out.
Do the Australian migration changes 2026 affect your case?
Millennium Migration can check which changes are already live and which ones actually apply to you.
Contents
Australian migration changes 2026 at a glance
This Australian migration changes 2026 table separates commenced measures from announcements that still need implementation.
| Change | Date | Status | Who it affects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Graduate visa charge uplift | 1 March 2026 | In force | Subclass 485 applicants |
| 2026-27 permanent Migration Program settings | 12 May 2026 Budget | Current program | Permanent migration planning |
| Subclass 189 invitation round | 4 June 2026 | Completed round | Points-tested skilled applicants |
| Most first-instalment visa application charges (VACs) increased | 1 July 2026 | In force | Most new visa applicants |
| CSIT, SSIT and TSMIT increased | 1 July 2026 | In force | Employer-sponsored pathways |
| Family visa Direction 117 | 25 July 2026 | In force | Family visa processing order |
| National Innovation Direction 120 | 25 July 2026 | In force | Subclass 858 processing |
| Skilled Directions 121 and 122 | 19 September 2026 | In force | Temporary and permanent skilled processing |
| Permanent points-test redesign | Announced in 2026-27 Budget | Not yet replacing current test | Future 189, 190 and 491 selection |
| Broader visitor, student and WHM reforms | Progressive rollout | Not all fully commenced | Future applicants in those programs |
Important: an announcement is not the same as a commenced legal or operational rule.
Millennium Migration checks the rule that is actually in force on the date a client needs to act.
Timeline of Australian migration changes 2026
Australian migration changes 2026 cover several separate measures rather than one single reform package.
1 March 2026 — Temporary Graduate visa charge increase
The 2026-27 Budget confirms a 100% Temporary Graduate visa charge uplift from 1 March 2026.
Eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste applicants are excluded from that Budget uplift.
4 June 2026 — subclass 189 invitation round
Home Affairs issued 10,000 Skilled Independent visa invitations in the 4 June 2026 round.
This was an invitation event, not a legislative change, but it is an important 2026 skilled migration signal.
1 July 2026 — visa fees and salary thresholds
Most first-instalment visa application charges rose by 25% from 1 July 2026.
Employer-sponsored income thresholds also increased on the same date.
25 July 2026 — family and National Innovation processing directions
Direction 117 replaced the previous family processing direction from 25 July 2026.
Direction 120 also took effect for specified subclass 858 and legacy talent applications.
19 September 2026 — new skilled processing priorities
Directions 121 and 122 replaced Direction 119 for key temporary and permanent skilled visas.
This is the most recent major operational change covered in this 23 September 2026 update.
Check the Department of Home Affairs processing priorities.
How Australian migration changes 2026 reshaped the permanent program
The 2026-27 permanent Migration Program remains at 185,000 places.
The Budget allocates 132,240 places to the Skill stream, which is more than 70% of the program.
It also allocates 129,590 places across Skill and Family to migrants already living in Australia.
The remaining 55,110 offshore places are intended mainly for high-skilled migrants.
A further 300 places sit in Special Eligibility.
| 2026-27 program figure | Planning level | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Total permanent program | 185,000 | A planning level, not a queue ticket for an individual applicant |
| Skill stream | 132,240 | More than 70% of the permanent program |
| Family stream | 52,460 | Includes 41,500 Partner and 3,500 Child planning places |
| Onshore allocation across Skill and Family | 129,590 | Budget emphasis on migrants already living in Australia |
| Offshore allocation | 55,110 | Budget says these will predominantly support high-skilled migration |
| Special Eligibility | 300 | Separate from the Skill and Family streams |
Practitioner note: a planning level does not guarantee a visa place to any individual.
Millennium Migration treats program numbers as system settings, not personal approval probabilities.
The Budget also announced AUD $85.2 million over four years for migrant skills recognition reform.
That includes a modernised Trades Recognition Australia system and stronger oversight of assessors.
Budget Paper No. 2, printed pages 7–9 supports these measures. The Family total is the remainder after Skill and Special Eligibility; our 2026–27 Migration Program guide explains the broader planning context.
Australian migration changes 2026: visa application charges
From 1 July 2026, most first-instalment visa application charges rose by 25%.
The legislation also created different settings for specified cohorts and targeted visa categories.
That means a simple “all visas rose by 25%” statement is not accurate for every applicant.
| Visa example | 2026-27 base charge | Change noted in sources |
|---|---|---|
| Student visa subclass 500 — standard primary applicant | AUD $2,500 | From AUD $2,000 on 1 July 2026 |
| Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) — standard non-concessional base charge | AUD $6,140 | From AUD $4,910 on 1 July 2026 |
| Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) — standard non-concessional base charge | AUD $4,015 | From AUD $3,210; standard charge in the 1 July amendment, with separate concession categories |
| Partner visa main applicant — standard charge, pathway and concession dependent | AUD $11,710 | Current from 1 July 2026; confirm the exact pathway before lodgement |
| Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) — eligible standard first application | AUD $840 | Targeted 2026-27 setting under the amended regulations |
Charges can differ by cohort, family composition, concessions and additional applicant settings.
Always confirm the current Home Affairs pricing table on the day an application is lodged.
Charges shown are base-charge examples, checked against the 1 July 2026 amendment regulations on 23 September 2026. Check the Department of Home Affairs for the current amount. These are not total costs. Additional applicants, any second instalment, nomination and sponsorship charges, the Skilling Australians Fund levy, state charges, health checks, police certificates and English or skills tests can add costs.
Australian migration changes 2026: Student fee concessions
The standard Student visa base charge increased from AUD $2,000 to AUD $2,500.
However, the regulations apply different indexed settings to specified student and regional cohorts.
Different amounts can apply by course and passport cohort. These include English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS), non-award courses, specified Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) passports, and Pacific-regional passports including Timor-Leste. Check the precise category in Schedule 1; these are not interchangeable concessions.
Why Australian migration changes 2026 affect your budget
A higher base charge also increases the financial cost of filing before a case is ready.
It does not change the legal test, but it makes weak or premature applications more expensive.
Australian migration changes 2026: skilled salary thresholds
Australian migration changes 2026 raised employer-sponsored income thresholds on 1 July 2026.
For Core Skills, the income threshold increased from AUD $76,515 to AUD $79,423.
The Specialist Skills Income Threshold increased from AUD $141,210 to AUD $146,576.
Meanwhile, the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold became AUD $79,423.
| Threshold | From 1 July 2026 | Where it matters |
|---|---|---|
| CSIT | AUD $79,423 | Skills in Demand Core Skills and relevant employer-sponsored settings |
| SSIT | AUD $146,576 | Skills in Demand Specialist Skills settings |
| TSMIT | AUD $79,423 | Relevant subclass 494 and legacy regional sponsorship settings |
Do not stop at the threshold: a sponsored salary must also satisfy applicable market salary rules.
Millennium Migration checks the occupation, salary, market evidence and nomination together.
Thresholds checked 23 September 2026 against the 2026 amendments explanatory statement. CSIT/SSIT apply to the relevant employer-sponsored settings; TSMIT applies to the relevant subclass 494 and legacy subclass 187 nominations. Recheck the rules for the nomination date.
Australian migration changes 2026: new skilled processing priorities
Ministerial Directions 121 and 122 took effect on 19 September 2026.
They replaced the skilled processing priorities previously operating under Direction 119.
These directions affect processing order. Visa eligibility criteria still apply.
Direction 121 — temporary skilled visas
The first priority covers specified sectors and Australia's law enforcement and defence interests.
Those sectors include construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources.
The next priority is the Specialist Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa.
Applications lodged while the applicant was in Australia then receive the next listed priority.
Next are offshore primary applicants whose applications are never combined with another person’s application. Other applications follow.
Direction 122 — permanent and provisional skilled visas
Direction 122 applies to a range of permanent and provisional skilled subclasses.
These include major pathways such as subclasses 186, 189, 190, 191, 491 and 494.
The first priority again covers the specified priority sectors and national interest categories.
Applications lodged while the applicant was in Australia come next. They are followed by offshore primary applicants whose applications are never combined with another person’s application, then other applications.
What changed: processing sequence changed for covered skilled applications from 19 September.
What did not: priority processing does not guarantee approval or remove visa criteria.
Australian migration changes 2026: what priorities mean
A lower processing priority is not the same as a refusal risk.
It can affect how quickly a complete application is reached relative to other cases.
Home Affairs also says applications are not always processed strictly in the order they were lodged.
Australian migration changes 2026: family visa processing
Ministerial Direction 117 replaced Direction 102 on 25 July 2026.
It gives highest priority to certain family applications lodged while the primary applicant was in Australia.
The visa must also be one that can be granted while the applicant is in Australia.
Applications are generally assessed in date order within each priority group.
For partner applicants: priority status does not change the evidence required for the visa.
Millennium Migration still focuses on eligibility, relationship evidence and decision-ready documentation.
Home Affairs lists a July 2026 median of 23 months for Partner provisional or temporary cases.
That figure is a category-level processing guide, not a guaranteed timeframe for one application.
Sources: family processing priorities and Home Affairs July 2026 category medians. A category median is not a subclass-specific service promise.
Australian migration changes 2026: the points-test reform
The 2026-27 Budget says the permanent migration points test will be reformed.
The stated aim is to better select younger, more highly educated and higher-skilled migrants.
However, the current SkillSelect threshold remains 65 points as at 23 September 2026.
Home Affairs still states that Skilled Independent (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visas need at least 65 points to receive an invitation. That minimum does not guarantee an invitation.
Do not use a future points table yet. The announced redesign has not replaced the current test.
Any calculator claiming a final new 2026 points table should be checked against current legislation.
Use the current Home Affairs invitation threshold and the skilled visa points test guide to check your evidence. Do not treat an indicative score as an invitation.
The published 4 June 2026 subclass 189 invitation round
The 4 June 2026 SkillSelect round issued 10,000 subclass 189 invitations.
Minimum invited scores varied by occupation in the published table.
That round shows what happened on one date. It does not create a permanent cut-off for future rounds.
Australian migration changes 2026: Student visa developments
Among Australian migration changes 2026, the clearest commenced Student visa change here is the 1 July fee increase.
The standard primary applicant charge rose to AUD $2,500, subject to specific concessions.
Home Affairs has also announced further student integrity measures as part of a progressive rollout.
Those measures include stopping visa hopping and restricting secondary applicants on most Student visas.
Status matters: the broader integrity measures are not all one commenced rule on one date.
Check the live Student visa criteria before changing study, family or onshore application plans.
Which Australian migration changes 2026 are announced but not fully in force?
Several Australian migration changes 2026 have been announced but are still being progressively implemented.
Millennium Migration separates these from rules that have already commenced.
Australian migration changes 2026: points-test redesign
The Budget commits to reform, but the existing 65-point threshold remains current.
Australian migration changes 2026: Working Holiday reform
The Budget proposes broader use of ballots and changes intended to better manage program numbers.
Home Affairs also says year-two and year-three settings will be reformed with regional work requirements.
Australian migration changes 2026: Visitor visa proposal
Home Affairs has announced an intention to introduce No Further Stay conditions across visitor visas. This describes an announced expansion; it does not mean such conditions were previously absent from every visitor visa.
The policy page describes a progressive rollout, so applicants should check the condition actually imposed.
Australian migration changes 2026: further student integrity measures
Home Affairs has announced tighter controls on visa hopping and secondary applicants.
The precise rule in force at lodgement matters more than the headline announcement.
Source: Australian Government migration policy changes, checked 23 September 2026. The announcement describes implementation over the next 12 months; it does not establish one commencement date for every measure.
What should applicants do after the Australian migration changes 2026?
First, identify which change actually touches your visa subclass, nomination or family situation.
Second, separate eligibility rules from processing priorities. They are not the same thing.
Third, recalculate government charges using the live Home Affairs pricing table.
Fourth, employer-sponsored applicants should recheck salary thresholds before nomination lodgement.
Fifth, skilled applicants should keep using the current points test until a replacement legally starts.
| If you are… | Check now | Do not assume |
|---|---|---|
| 189 / 190 / 491 applicant | Current points, occupation list, state rules and invitation evidence | That an announced points reform already applies |
| 482 / 186 / 494 applicant or sponsor | Salary threshold, market salary and new processing priority | That priority processing changes nomination eligibility |
| Partner or family applicant | Direction 117 priority group and complete relationship evidence | That a higher priority guarantees a faster personal decision |
| Student applicant | Current VAC, concession status and current onshore rules | That every announced student measure has commenced |
| Visitor or WHM applicant | Current visa conditions, ballot rules and eligibility page | That future policy announcements are already operative |
Need to know what changed for your visa?
Send Millennium Migration your subclass and current status, and we can identify the live rules to check.
Frequently asked questions on Australian migration changes 2026
Australian migration changes 2026: skilled migration and processing
What are the biggest Australian migration changes in 2026?
Australian migration changes 2026 include higher visa charges, revised salary thresholds and new processing priorities. The September skilled directions are in force, while several broader reforms remain subject to progressive implementation.
When did the new skilled visa processing priorities start?
Ministerial Directions 121 and 122 commenced on 19 September 2026. They replaced the processing priorities under Direction 119 without removing visa eligibility requirements.
Did visa application charges increase in 2026?
Most first-instalment visa application charges increased by 25% from 1 July 2026. Concessions and targeted settings mean that the increase is not identical for every applicant.
Australian migration changes 2026: fees, thresholds and family visas
What is the 2026 Core Skills Income Threshold?
The Core Skills Income Threshold is AUD $79,423 from 1 July 2026, checked 23 September 2026. Employers must also satisfy applicable market salary rules and nomination requirements.
Did the skilled migration points test change in 2026?
The Budget announced a redesign, but the current invitation threshold remains 65 points as at 23 September 2026. A planned replacement should not be used before it legally commences.
What changed for family visa processing in 2026?
Direction 117 replaced Direction 102 on 25 July 2026. It prioritises certain applications lodged while the primary applicant was in Australia for visas grantable in Australia, subject to the further priority categories.
Australian migration changes 2026: students and future reforms
What changed for Student visa fees in 2026?
The standard Student visa base charge increased to AUD $2,500 on 1 July 2026. Different charges can apply to specified course and passport cohorts, so confirm the exact category before paying.
Was there a subclass 189 invitation round in 2026?
Home Affairs’ indexed invitation results record 10,000 subclass 189 invitations on 4 June 2026. That historical round does not establish a future invitation score or guarantee.
Are the visitor and Working Holiday reforms already fully in force?
The Government describes a progressive rollout, so not every announced measure is already operative. Check current conditions, ballot rules and eligibility for your specific visa before changing your plans.
Check what the September 2026 changes mean for you
Australian migration changes 2026 do not affect every applicant in the same way.
Millennium Migration can review the rule, commencement date and evidence that apply to your case.
Contact Millennium Migration for an individual migration review.
Free visa assessment Book a consultationRelated reading from Millennium Migration
2026-27 Migration Program: Essential Breakdown
Skilled Visa Points Test: Complete 2026 Guide
Software Engineer 261313: Skilled Visa Guide
Sponsor Cancel Partner Visa: What Sponsors Can Really Do
About Sam Lotfollahi
Sam Lotfollahi is a Registered Migration Agent and Principal of Millennium Migration.
MARN 0901704 · Seventeen years of migration practice · Offices in Melbourne and Adelaide.
Millennium Migration assists with skilled, employer-sponsored, family and other migration matters.
Sources
Australian Government — Budget Paper No. 2, 2026-27. Checked 23 September 2026.
Department of Home Affairs — skilled visa processing priorities. Checked 23 September 2026.
Department of Home Affairs — family visa processing priorities. Checked 23 September 2026.
Federal Register of Legislation — 2026 migration amendment regulations. Checked 23 September 2026.
Department of Home Affairs — fees and charges for visas. Checked 23 September 2026.
Study Australia — Student visa application charge increase. Checked 23 September 2026.
Department of Home Affairs — SkillSelect expression of interest. Checked 23 September 2026.
Department of Home Affairs — SkillSelect invitation rounds. Checked 23 September 2026.
Department of Home Affairs — Family Migration Program planning. Checked 23 September 2026.
Department of Home Affairs — visa processing times. Checked 23 September 2026.
Fragomen — 1 July 2026 visa fee changes. Named in the supplied draft; no exact article URL supplied. Not relied on for verification.
SBS News — current partner visa charge reporting. Named in the supplied draft; no exact article URL supplied. Not relied on for verification.
General information only, not migration advice. Migration law, policy and fees can change.
Sources were checked on 23 September 2026. Charges and rules depend on the exact visa and applicant category; recheck current requirements before acting. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances.
For advice on your circumstances, consult a Registered Migration Agent or Australian legal practitioner.
Sam Lotfollahi, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 0901704, leads Millennium Migration.
Start with the free visa assessment or book a consultation.