Middle-East conflict triggers worst freight disruption for Australian shippers since COVID-19
Core Skill income thresholds for employer-sponsored 482 / 186 visas set to rise from 1 July 2026
Australia quietly doubles Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa fee to A$4,600
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DFAT issues sanctions-risk advisory on large fund transfers by recent Iranian migrants
DFAT’s Australian Sanctions Office issued an advisory on 3 March 2026 warning banks and remitters about heightened sanctions-breach risks where recent Iranian migrants transfer large sums into Australia. Red-flag behaviours include layered payments, opaque ownership structures and crypto off-ramping. Mobility and finance teams should prepare for stricter bank checks on legitimate relocation payments involving staff with Iranian links.
Western Australia issues 3 March state-nomination invites for trade occupations
WA’s 3 March 2026 State Nomination round invited skilled-trade applicants for Subclass 190 and 491 visas at points scores as low as 65, offering a relatively quick permanent-residency pathway for carpenters, electricians, plumbers and other priority occupations. The move helps ease labour shortages on major WA projects and gives employers a cost-effective alternative to sponsorship.
Qantas offers fee-free changes after Gulf airspace shutdown hits codeshare itineraries
After Gulf states abruptly closed segments of their airspace, Qantas introduced a flexible rebooking policy for tickets touching the UAE, Qatar or Israel between 1 and 3 March 2026. Customers on Qantas/Emirates or Qantas/Qatar codeshares can change dates or routes without fees, but must check new transit-visa requirements. The incident highlights the need for rapid itinerary and immigration checks when geopolitical events disrupt partner networks.