logo

Do you want to migrate to Australia?

At Australian Immigration Associates we specialise in Australian migration law. We have helped people from all corners of the globe with immigration advice and lodgement of visa applications.

We research and prepare Australian visa applications and provide legal advice for companies and individuals.

Our understanding of Australian migration law and Australian immigration policy allows us to be leaders in this forever changing and complex legal industry.

Do you meet the requirements to make a valid visa application to enter or remain in Australia?

We do not wish to see you make a visa application that is not valid or have your application refused.

Online Enquiry

Latest News

(see all)


28/10/2026

The first 189 round of 2026-27 went ahead on 15 October, though official results are still not out. Victoria has introduced its own points test for state nomination. NSW has published its 190 selection framework and skills list. The first Skilled Independent (subclass 189) round of 2026-27 was held on 15 October. The previous round was 4 June 2026, with 10,000 invitations. As at 20 October, Home Affairs had not published the invitation total or occupation cut-offs.
16/10/2026

Subclass 190 nomination program now open NSW nomination program for the subclass 190 is now open.
18/08/2026

The next invitation round for the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa is expected to be held by 30 September 2026.
04/08/2026

Ministerial Direction 119: Sets New Priority Order for Skilled Visa Applications The Department of Home Affairs has introduced Ministerial Direction 119, under section 499 of the Migration Act 1958, setting the new processing priorities for nomination and visa applications across a range of Skilled visa subclasses. The direction commenced from 25 July 2026 and replaces Ministerial Direction 105 and, for the first time, brings the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) program under a formal prioritisation framework, applying to all on-hand applications. Direction 119 applies to nomination applications for the following visa subclasses: Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand / Temporary Skill Shortage) Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) It also applies to visa applications across a broader list of skilled visa classes, including subclasses 186, 187, 189, 190, 191, 482 (TSS and SID), 489, 491, 494, 888 and 887. How Priority Is Determined Prioritisation is based on two factors: the applicant’s occupation and their location at the time of application. Occupations supporting law enforcement and defence interests receive the highest priority, followed by construction, healthcare, and teaching occupations. Applicants already in Australia are prioritised over those applying from outside Australia. Order of Processing Priority – For both nominations and visa applications, the Direction sets a five-tier priority order (highest to lowest) Law enforcement or defence-related applications – applicant in Australia Law enforcement or defence-related applications – applicant outside Australia Construction, healthcare, or teaching applications – applicant in Australia All other applications – applicant in Australia All other applications – applicant outside Australia The Direction applies both to new applications and to applications made before its commencement that have not yet been finally determined.
04/08/2026

Ministerial Direction 117: Sets New Processing Priorities for Family Visas The Department of Home Affairs has introduced Ministerial Direction 117 on 25 July 2026, replacing Ministerial Direction 102. It establishes new processing priorities for Family visa applications, while Ministerial Direction 103 continues to govern Family visa applications that are subject to capping and queueing. Ministerial Direction No. 117 gives highest priority to Family visa applications made while the primary applicant was in Australia, for a visa that can be granted while they remain in Australia. Lower priority applies to applications where the primary applicant is outside Australia at the time of application or must be outside Australia at the time of grant. Within these categories, applications are processed in the following order: Order of Processing Priority (Within Each Category) Family migration applications that have been subject to ministerial intervention Applications by a partner or dependent child Applications by an orphan relative Applications by a contributory parent or contributory aged parent Applications by a carer Applications by a parent, aged parent, remaining relative, or aged dependant relative Capped and queued applications Direction 103 specifies that Contributory Parent, Parent, and Other Family (Carer, Remaining Relative and Aged Dependent Relative) visa applications which are subject to capping and queuing that are processed in queue date order. Priority processing in special circumstances Direction 117 allows an application to be prioritised where there are special circumstances of a compassionate nature and compelling reasons to depart from the standard order. Processing times vary depending on individual case circumstances. Applicants can refer to the Department’s Processing Times Guide for Child and Partner visa processing times, and the Partner Visa FAQs for information on seeking priority processing. Queue release dates for Parent and Other Family visas are also published separately on the Department’s website.

Testimonials

(see all)