Victoria shuts its 2025-26 state-nominated skilled-visa program after record demand
Tourism Ministers back fuel-security measures to protect traveller confidence
AHPRA recalibrates English-test score grid for overseas nurses from 23 April 2026
Latest News
Australia and Canada Sign Open Skies Pact, Unlocking Unlimited Flights
A newly-signed open skies agreement scraps all capacity limits on flights between Australia and Canada. Qantas and, potentially, Jetstar can now add services beyond the current daily Sydney–Vancouver rotation, while Air Canada receives reciprocal rights. The move is expected to increase competition, lower fares and improve connectivity for business travellers and mobile talent moving between the two resource-rich economies.
Canberra Moves to Authorise Temporary Travel Bans for Selected Visa Cohorts
A new bill before federal Parliament would allow the immigration minister to block entry for up to six months for specific groups of temporary-visa holders from designated countries, citing security and overstay risks. While framed as a national-interest safeguard, the proposal could disrupt student, tourism and short-term business mobility, demanding close monitoring by corporate mobility managers.
Middle-East Conflict Cuts a Quarter of Australia’s International Flights
Data published 30 April show that Gulf airspace closures and surging fuel prices have led to the cancellation of roughly one in four international flights from Australia. Major Middle-East and Southeast-Asian carriers have slashed capacity, pushing up fares and forcing travellers onto longer, multi-stop itineraries. Corporates should revise budgets, secure seats earlier and explore alternative hubs.
Qantas to Retire Final Domestic A380s on Sydney–Perth Route
Qantas will withdraw its remaining Airbus A380s from the Sydney–Perth run on 26 October 2026, replacing them with smaller 787-9s and A330-200s. The change lowers premium-class seat supply on a route heavily used by corporate flyers and frees Dreamliners for long-haul expansion. Travel buyers should expect fiercer competition for business-class inventory and review alternative carrier options.
Government Issues Labour-Market Snapshot for Migrants
A new Jobs and Skills Australia report published 30 April summarises labour-market conditions for migrants. It predicts slower population growth, highlights state-level skill shortages and notes persistent gender disparities in migrant unemployment. The findings will inform upcoming skilled-occupation-list changes and provide valuable benchmarking data for employers planning overseas hires.