Home Affairs activates Ministerial Direction 115, tightening offshore student-visa processing
Ballot opens for 2025-26 MATES visa, giving 3,000 young Indians two-year work rights in Australia
Sydney Airport launches global tender for $6 billion, five-year upgrade program
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Australia activates Ministerial Direction 115, overhauling offshore student-visa queue
Ministerial Direction 115 took effect today, reshuffling offshore Subclass 500 student-visa priorities. Providers that keep enrolments within their 2026 planning caps will see faster approvals, while over-quota institutions move to the slow lane. The rule aims to curb surging net migration, relieve housing stress and drive growth to regional campuses—issues critical for employers sponsoring dependants and graduate hires.
Ballot opens for Australia’s 2025-26 MATES visa, offering 3,000 places to young Indian professionals
Registrations are now open for Australia’s 2025-26 MATES program, which will issue 3,000 two-year open-work visas to Indian graduates via a ballot that closes 14 December. The scheme lets employers access STEM talent without sponsorship obligations and supports bilateral skills exchange under the India-Australia mobility pact.