Beijing slashes Chinese visa fees in Australia through end-2026
Australian passport price rises to AU$422 from 1 January 2026
Transit-visa denial costs Indian couple ₹1 lakh, exposes layover risks for Australia-bound travellers
Latest News
Australian Defence Vessel Reliant departs Townsville to strengthen Pacific border security
ADV Reliant has left Townsville on a three-month swing through five Pacific islands to install customs and immigration facilities, deliver patrol-boat spares and train local officers. The mission strengthens regional border security and will streamline future passenger processing for Australian businesses operating in the Pacific.
Permanent migration cap stays at 185,000 for 2025-26 amid New-Year policy tweaks
Canberra has held the 2025-26 permanent migration cap at 185,000 places, maintaining a strong focus on skilled entrants. The decision, announced with other 1 January policy adjustments, provides certainty for employers but reignites debate over housing and wage impacts.
Adelaide Airport posts 32% jump in inbound seats as new long-haul routes return South Australia to the global map
New data released on 30 December show Adelaide Airport has recorded a 20 % rise in international arrivals and a 32 % surge in seat capacity, buoyed by United’s San Francisco route and the return of multiple Asian carriers. The growth improves export logistics and gives corporates based in South Australia shorter one-stop connections to North America, Europe and Fiji.
Qantas settles ACCC lawsuit, agrees to A$100 m penalty and A$20 m customer pay-out over flight-cancellation saga
On 30 December, Qantas agreed to pay A$100 million in penalties and set up a A$20 million remediation fund after the ACCC found it sold seats on flights already cancelled. More than 86,000 passengers—including many corporate travellers—will be eligible for cash compensation, prompting travel managers to audit historical bookings and raising the prospect of tougher real-time notification rules.
Last-day rush for Pacific Engagement Visa as support service confirms holiday closure
Home Affairs has confirmed that 30 December 2025 is the cut-off for Pacific Engagement Visa applications lodged by ballot winners. The support service is on holiday shutdown, but staff will triage urgent queries to ensure submissions are in before midnight—critical for employers counting on permanent Pacific recruits in 2026.