Victoria's 2026–27 nomination: new fees and a new points test (VPT) for 190 and 491.Calculate my VPT → Student visas: new rules from 2 October 2026.Student visa changes →
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Official updates

Official changes to Australian visa rules, newest first. Every update links to the official source, with the date we last checked it.

October 2026

22 October 2026 In effect

Applying for another Student visa: Home Affairs updates its guidance

If you changed education provider after your Student visa was granted, or you need more than 12 months to finish and your provider has given you more time, you don't meet the course completion exemption. You must be outside Australia when you lodge and when the new visa is granted. Applying from outside does not stop you coming back to finish your course. A new visa is not guaranteed.

What it means: Check your dates and your provider before you plan anything. If you need to apply from outside Australia, time the trip so the grant happens while you're away.

🏛️ Official source: Department of Home Affairs Last checked 22 October 2026
🔁 Student visa extension & offshore re-application🎒 Student visa
22 October 2026 Open now

South Australia opens 2026–27 skilled migration registrations

South Australia is open for registrations of interest from people already living and working in South Australia whose visas expire by 31 January 2027. People overseas keep lodging a SkillSelect expression of interest and don't need a registration of interest. Every applicant needs a current SkillSelect EOI. Priority sectors are building and construction, defence, education, engineering, health and manufacturing.

What it means: If you live and work in South Australia and your visa ends by 31 January 2027, check the requirements for your stream now.

🏛️ Official source: Migration SA (Government of South Australia) Last checked 22 October 2026
📌 State nomination📍 Skilled Nominated🌿 Skilled Work Regional
13 October 2026 Opening soon

Victoria: new points test (VPT) and fees for 2026–27

Victoria will rank every 190 and 491 Registration of Interest with a published seven-factor Victorian Points Test (maximum 950, no pass mark). New fees apply: $60 for an ROI and $180 for a nomination application ($66 and $198 with GST if you're in Australia). Registrations from earlier program years must be resubmitted when the 2026–27 program opens.

What it means: Check your VPT score now, improve what you can (English is the biggest lever), and be ready to register on day one.

🏛️ Official source: Live in Melbourne (Victorian Government) Last checked 13 October 2026
📌 State nomination📍 Skilled Nominated🌿 Skilled Work Regional
12 October 2026 Rounds running

ACT holds a Canberra Matrix invitation round

The ACT held a Canberra Matrix invitation round on 12 October 2026. It says its 2026–27 nomination allocation has not yet been confirmed by the Australian Government. A 190 or 491 nomination costs A$325 (A$357.50 with GST), and a Matrix submission costs A$25.

What it means: If Canberra is your plan, keep your Matrix up to date. Applicants are ranked by score, and the cut-off changes each round.

🏛️ Official source: ACT Government Last checked 22 October 2026
📌 State nomination📍 Skilled Nominated🌿 Skilled Work Regional
2 October 2026 In effect

Student visa reform

New rules for Student (subclass 500) and Student Guardian (subclass 590) visas started on 2 October 2026. They change who can apply for, and be granted, a Student visa while in Australia, and whether family members can be included. Most temporary visa holders, including 485, 482, visitor and working holiday visa holders, can no longer apply for a Student visa from inside Australia. Most current students also apply from outside Australia now, unless an exemption applies.

What it means: If you're studying or on a 485, start your skilled pathway plan earlier.

🏛️ Official source: Department of Home Affairs Last checked 22 October 2026
⏳ Temporary Graduate🎓 Skills assessment🎒 Student visa

September 2026

19 September 2026 In effect

New skilled visa processing priorities (Ministerial Directions 121 and 122)

Directions 121 (temporary skilled, including the 482) and 122 (provisional and permanent skilled, including 186, 189, 190, 191, 491 and 494) started on 19 September 2026. Priority sectors are processed first: construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources. Applications made by people in Australia come next. For the 482, the Specialist Skills stream sits between the two.

What it means: Lodging from inside Australia, in a priority sector, can mean a faster decision. It doesn't change whether you qualify.

🏛️ Official source: Department of Home Affairs Last checked 22 October 2026
🎯 Skilled Independent🏠 Employer Nomination💼 Skills in Demand
17 September 2026 Announced

Migration changes being rolled out over the next 12 months

Home Affairs lists changes that have begun and will roll out progressively over the next 12 months. They include a No Further Stay condition for all visitor visas, stopping visa hopping and restricting secondary applicants on most student visas, stronger compliance, a crackdown on rogue agents, and changes to the Working Holiday Maker program. The page gives no start date for each change.

What it means: Current rules still apply until each change starts. If you're planning a partner visa, plan it before your partner travels on a visitor visa.

🏛️ Official source: Department of Home Affairs Last checked 22 October 2026
💞 Partner visa🎒 Student visa⏳ Temporary Graduate

July 2026

25 July 2026 In effect

Family visa processing priorities (Ministerial Direction 117)

Direction 117 replaced Direction 102 on 25 July 2026. It gives the highest priority to family visa applications made while the primary applicant was in Australia, for a visa that can be granted in Australia.

What it means: For many couples already in Australia, an onshore partner application can be decided sooner.

🏛️ Official source: Department of Home Affairs Last checked 22 October 2026
💞 Partner visa
1 July 2026 In effect

New visa charges and a new Core Skills threshold

New visa application charges apply from 1 July 2026, for example A$2,500 for most Student visas, A$4,015 for the 482, A$6,140 for the 186, 190 and 491, and A$11,710 for a partner visa (main applicant). The Core Skills Income Threshold rose to A$79,423.

What it means: Every government charge on this site was updated. Check older quotes.

🏛️ Official source: Department of Home Affairs 🏛️ Migration SA: Core Skills Income Threshold Last checked 22 October 2026
💼 Skills in Demand💞 Partner visa🏠 Employer Nomination

Every update links to an official government source. Announced changes without a start date don't apply yet. This is general information, not advice about your situation.

Official documents

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Get every official update by email Official visa changes in plain English, every Tuesday morning. From Omar Nafiz and Pathway Education.

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