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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.

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Latest News

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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.
04/08/2026

Ministerial Direction 120: Sets New Processing Order for Class BX Visas The Department of Home Affairs has introduced Ministerial Direction 120, replacing the previous Direction 112 (dated 6 December 2024), setting a new order for considering and disposing of Class BX visa applications, covering the National Innovation visa, and legacy Global Talent and Distinguished Talent visas and providing guidance on assessing “exceptional and outstanding achievement” for Subclass 858 visa applicants. The direction does not change the legislative requirements for a Class BX visa; applicants must still meet the criteria set out in the Migration Regulations 1994 to be granted a visa. It applies to: All decision makers considering and disposing of Class BX visa applications National Innovation visa applications made on or after commencement, as well as those made but not yet finalised Global Talent and Distinguished Talent visa applications made but not yet finalised. It does not apply to applications remitted by the AAT or ART for reconsideration, applications where the AAT/ART has substituted a new decision, applications that wouldn’t otherwise meet visa criteria, certain family unit applications, or matters before the ART. The order of the Priority is as follows: Visa applications made by exceptional applicants who are global experts and recipients of top of field international level awards Visa applications where the applicant is nominated by an expert Australian government agency or state or territory government agency on the approved form 1000 Visa applications with exceptional and outstanding achievements in tier 1 priority sectors: critical technologies, renewables and low emission technologies, health industries Visa applications with exceptional and outstanding achievements in tier 2 priority sectors: agri-food and ag-tech, defence capabilities and space, education, financial services and fintech, infrastructure and transport and resources All other visa applications The Direction also provides guidance for decision makers assessing the exceptional and outstanding achievement criterion for Subclass 858 visas. Rather than treating listed factors as a checklist, decision makers must weigh the applicant’s circumstances as a whole. Relevant indicators may include: Receipt of a top-tier national or international research grant A PhD with strong academic influence, high-impact publications, or a high h-index Keynote appearances at high-profile international conferences Recognised intellectual property, such as international patents Earnings at or above the high-income threshold (as defined under the Fair Work Act 2009) For applicants nominated by government agencies, a broader range of achievements may also be considered, including top-tier sports or arts awards, significant angel investment experience, promising entrepreneurial activity (particularly linked to state or territory start-up incubators), and exceptional community service or contributions.
03/07/2026

Updated Income Thresholds From 1 July 2026, the revised thresholds are: Income Threshold Previous Amount New Amount Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) $76,515 $79,423 Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) $141,210 $146,576 Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) $76,515 $79,423
29/05/2026

The Migration Legislation Amendment (Arrangements for Work and Holiday Visas - Luxembourg) Instrument 2026 commences on 3 June 2026 and introduces a significant procedural change for Luxembourg passport holders applying for a Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visa. Under the amendment, applicants holding a valid passport issued by Luxembourg will be exempt from the requirement to provide a letter of support from their government when lodging a Subclass 462 visa application. The change follows a formal request from the Government of Luxembourg, which was accepted by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship on 2 April 2026.

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