Staffing Crisis at Airservices Australia Triggers Nationwide Flight Disruptions
Australian Passport Office Urges Travellers to Lodge Applications Six Weeks Ahead
Omnibus Bill Expands Visa Cancellation Powers Amid New Hate-Speech and Gun Laws
Latest News
New $230 “Work Licence” Fee Takes Effect for Visa Extensions
A new AUD $230 levy payable from 15 January 2026 applies whenever temporary migrants extend or renew visas with work rights. The fee increases costs for employers and assignees and reinforces compliance enforcement. Mobility teams should update cost projections and briefing materials immediately.
Home Affairs Clarifies Health‐Check Rules for Visa Applicants
A medical-assessment regulation that took effect on 15 January 2026 standardises which visa applicants need health checks and which tests apply. The change improves transparency but may lengthen processing for applicants with complex medical or travel histories, so mobility managers should build extra lead time into assignment plans.
DFAT Raises Qatar Travel Advice to ‘High Degree of Caution’
On 15 January 2026 DFAT raised Qatar’s advisory level to ‘High Degree of Caution,’ citing unpredictable regional security and potential air-travel disruptions. Companies routing staff through Doha should review itineraries and duty-of-care measures.
Iran Airspace Closure Forces Qantas and Other Carriers to Reroute
A temporary Iranian airspace shutdown on 14-15 January forced Qantas and other airlines to reroute, adding time and cost to Australia–Europe flights. Although the airspace has reopened, most carriers continue to detour until tensions ease.
Air-Traffic-Controller Shortage Cancels Dozens of Sydney Flights
A staffing shortfall at Airservices Australia forced flow controls at Sydney Airport on 15 January, cancelling 25+ flights and delaying many more. The disruption hit business travellers and fly-in-fly-out rotations just as the post-holiday travel surge begins.