Dual UK-Australian citizens scramble as new passport rules bite days before rollout
Canberra admits it has few legal levers to stop 34 ISIS-linked women and children returning from Syria
Coalition bill would criminalise helping ISIS-linked Australians make their own way home
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Iran-Australian community cites rising threats and calls for faster protection-visa decisions
Australian-Iranian activists say they are facing a wave of death threats and surveillance, with some scared to attend rallies or speak to media. Lawyers want a fast-track humanitarian pathway, arguing that 18-month processing times leave applicants in limbo. Businesses employing Iranian nationals on bridging visas should review work-right checks and security protocols.
Escalating Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict leaves refugees in limbo as Australian humanitarian-visa queue stalls
Pakistan’s air strikes on 22 February have intensified pressure on Afghan refugees living there on expiring permits. Many are awaiting Australian humanitarian visas but risk being deported before decisions are made. Businesses and universities that rely on Afghan talent should prepare evacuation and sponsorship contingencies.
Populist surge puts Australia’s migration debate under a harsher spotlight
An opinion piece in the Guardian links One Nation’s polling surge to rising anxieties over migration, housing and living costs. The commentary suggests Australia could follow the UK down a path of populist visa crackdowns, potentially tightening skilled-migration channels that many companies rely on.
AU$2,000 Student-visa fee sends Australia’s English-language colleges to 20-year enrolment low
New Home Affairs data released on 21 February 2026 show the AU$2,000 Student-visa application fee introduced last July has driven a 39 percent slump in English-language (ELICOS) enrolments and a 14 percent overall fall in student-visa lodgements. Providers warn of thousands of job losses and are lobbying for a tiered or refundable fee structure. Multinationals will face higher training costs and may need offshore language solutions until policy settings change.
Congo-born resident charged over curfew breach as Australia tightens post-arrival monitoring
AFP officers charged a 34-year-old Congo-born man on 21 February 2026 for breaching a curfew condition attached to his visa, underscoring Australia’s tougher post-arrival compliance regime. New electronic monitoring means curfew breaches can quickly trigger criminal proceedings, and employers that roster sponsored workers outside authorised hours risk penalties. Mobility teams should update compliance checklists accordingly.
Section 501 strike: New Zealander deported after repeat offending in New South Wales
The Administrative Appeals Tribunal on 21 February 2026 confirmed the deportation of a New Zealand national under Migration Act section 501 after repeated criminal convictions, illustrating Australia’s uncompromising character-test policy. With more than 2,200 Kiwis deported since 2014, the move fuels bilateral tension and underscores the need for employers to monitor assignees’ criminal-history risk.
South Australia enters caretaker mode, pausing fresh migration-news updates
South Australia entered its pre-election caretaker period on 21 February 2026, freezing public updates on state-nomination news until after the 21 March poll. While processing continues, applicants won’t see fresh invitation-round information for about a month, creating uncertainty for skilled-migration plans linked to Adelaide and regional SA.