Graduate visa fee doubles overnight – except for Pacific neighbours
Training Visa (407) overhaul brings sequential lodgement and 45 % refusal rate
Government coordinates flights as Middle East conflict strands Australian travellers
Latest News
Australia Tightens Training Visa 407: Sponsorship and Nomination Must Be Approved Before Lodgement
A legislative instrument registered on 10 March 2026 requires sponsors to obtain both Temporary-Activities Sponsorship approval and an approved Training Nomination before a Subclass 407 Training visa can be lodged. The change ends concurrent filings, aims to curb “permanent-temporariness”, and lengthens lead-times for corporate trainee programmes. Employers must adjust mobility timelines or consider alternative visa strategies.
‘Arrival Control Determination’ Bill Clears Second Reading, Giving Canberra Emergency Powers to Bar Offshore Travellers
On 10 March 2026 the lower house passed the second reading of the Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Bill. The Bill empowers the Immigration Minister to issue a six-month “Arrival Control Determination” that blocks specified offshore temporary-visa holders from travelling to Australia during crises. Exemptions exist, but businesses face potential disruption if employees are overseas when a determination is issued.
Gulf Air-Space Crisis Leaves 100,000+ Australians Stranded; Government Urges Citizens to Take Any Available Seat
On 10 March 2026 authorities confirmed that over 100,000 Australians remain stuck in the Middle East after Gulf air-space closures cancelled 27,000 flights. DFAT-backed commercial flights are running but leaving half-full; the government is urging stranded citizens to board any available seat. The disruption is affecting corporate travel budgets, insurance coverage and continuity plans for staff transiting through Dubai and Doha.
Australia Grants Asylum to Iranian Women’s Soccer Players After Anthem Protest at Women’s Asian Cup
Five Iranian women footballers who refused to sing the national anthem at the Women’s Asian Cup have received Australian humanitarian visas, the Home Affairs Minister confirmed on 10 March 2026. Tehran has condemned the move, calling the players ‘traitors’. The case underscores how sporting events can trigger rapid asylum claims and adds a new diplomatic wrinkle to Australia-Iran relations.