South Australia invites 344 skilled migrants in first round of 2025-26 program
Qantas unveils trans-Tasman surge with first A220 international flight and new Brisbane–Queenstown service
Holiday staffing lull slows Australian visa decisions until mid-January, advisers warn
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UK national to be deported from Australia over alleged ties to neo-Nazi ‘White Australia’ network
A UK citizen will be deported after his visa was cancelled for alleged links to the far-right ‘White Australia’ group, underlining Canberra’s tougher post-Bondi stance on extremist affiliations. Sponsors should strengthen background checks as character cancellations rise.
Catastrophic bushfire risk forces mass regional evacuations and cancels V/Line rail services across Victoria
Extreme fire danger on 8 January prompted evacuations of Great Ocean Road holiday parks and the cancellation of nine V/Line regional rail lines. Travellers face significant disruptions, highlighting the need for real-time contingency planning during Australia’s summer bushfire season.
Holiday staffing lull slows Australian visa decisions until mid-January
The Department of Home Affairs is operating with skeleton staff until roughly 15 January, slowing decision-making across all visa subclasses. Sector analysts estimate grant notices are down 70 % since mid-December. Employers should expect onboarding delays for transferees, while individual applicants are advised to ensure files are ‘decision-ready’ so they move quickly once officers return.
Nationwide heatwave triggers travel advisories and business-continuity plans
Record temperatures across four states have pushed rail, tram and airport operators to enact heat-mitigation measures, causing slower services and potential flight delays. Businesses are updating duty-of-care guidance, while authorities warn that power cuts and bushfires could further hamper travel in coming days.
Bali proposes bank-statement rule for tourists, prompting Smartraveller warning to Australians
Bali plans to require all visitors – including more than a million Australians each year – to present three months of bank statements on arrival. The rule, intended to weed out ‘low-spending’ tourists, has prompted Smartraveller to remind Australians that non-compliance can lead to deportation. Companies should prepare staff for added documentation and potential boarding-gate checks.
Freight-train derailment on East–West corridor snarls national supply chains
A derailment north of Port Pirie has closed the East–West rail corridor until at least 10 January, diverting container freight to road and coastal shipping and disrupting passenger rail itineraries. The outage adds pressure to supply chains already stretched by holiday demand and extreme heat.