The Department of Home Affairs is enhancing security for ImmiAccount, Australia’s online portal for visa and immigration services, by requiring users to set up multifactor authentication. The requirement goes into effect June 18, 2025.

Key Points:

  • New and existing users of ImmiAccount will be required to set up multifactor authentication when creating an account or logging in to their account starting June 18.
  • To prepare for the change, ImmiAccount users are recommended to install an authenticator app on their mobile device or personal computer and verify the email address linked to their ImmiAccount.
  • ImmiAccount will provide instructions on how to set up multifactor authentication starting June 18.
  • Individuals can visit this site for more information.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

While Parent visa applications must still be submitted via paper form, applicants are now able to import applications into the online ImmiAccount service.

Key Points:

  • Applicants can import their Parent visa application into ImmiAccount once the Department of Home Affairs has acknowledged receipt.
  • Importing an application into ImmiAccount gives applicants access to a range of online services that make it easier to manage their application, including the ability to:
    • Upload supporting documents
    • Update personal details
    • View the application status
  • The services are available for all new and existing applications, except for Parent (subclass 103) visa applications lodged before November 2018.
  • A step-by-step guide to importing paper applications into ImmiAccount is available here.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. 

Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com. 

The Australian government announced that effective July 1, skilled visa income thresholds will increase by 4.6% to align with changes in the Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings.

Key Points:

  • Indexation changes will be as follows:
    • The Core Skills Income Threshold will increase from AU$73,150 to AU$76,515.
    • The Specialist Skills Income Threshold will increase from AU$135,000 to AU$141,210.
    • The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold will increase from AU$73,150 to AU$76,515.
  • New nomination applications after July 1 must meet the new thresholds or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher.
  • The change does not apply to existing visa holders and nominations lodged before July 1.

Additional Information: The thresholds are indexed annually to ensure parity with Australian workers’ wages.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Australian government updated their visa processing times webpage to highlight the median processing times for key programs.

Key Points:

  • The government stated that in most instances they have reduced the time it takes to finalize visa applications and that visa processing times have already improved across most visa programs, particularly across temporary visa programs.
  • Officials provided the following median visa processing times for key visa categories:
Visa Category Median visa processing time
Skilled (Permanent) 11 months
Partner (First Stage) 13 months
Skilled (Temporary) 61 days
Student 30 days
Visitor Less than 1 Day

Additional Information: The new Skills in Demand visa, which BAL reported replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa on Dec. 7, 2024, is currently processing 90% of applications for the specialist skills stream within 39 days and the core skills stream within 47 days, according to the government guide. In most categories, the government said they are focused on reducing processing times and will continue to prioritize the older and more complex applications.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Australian government introduced the National Innovation visa (NIV) (subclass 858), officially replacing the Global Talent visa and the Business Innovation and Investment visa.

Key Points:

  • The NIV is a permanent visa for exceptionally talented migrants that allows for work, study and stay for five years.
  • Successful applicants receive permanent residency, granting access to Australia’s healthcare, education and family sponsorship programs.
  • The visa is divided into Tier One and Tier Two priority sectors, depending on expertise level.
  • Candidates submit an Expression of Interest and must be invited to apply based on merit and alignment with priority sectors.

Additional Information: The invitation-only NIV program is designed to facilitate the entry of exceptional talent, prioritizing globally recognized achievements and contributions to innovation. The new visa is described as welcoming to professionals across diverse fields, including entrepreneurs, researchers and creatives.

As BAL originally reported, the government’s migration strategy announced in December 2023 outlined key actions and new policy commitments to overhaul the Australian migration system. The creation of the NIV, along with the new specialist Skills in Demand visa, are both efforts within this strategy designed to better target high-priority and in-critical-demand occupations, simplify application processes and provide clearer pathways to permanent residency.

BAL Analysis: The NIV aligns with Australia’s strategic goals to target priority sectors, attract top global talent and foster innovation. BAL will continue to monitor developments and will provide more information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Australian government announced the new Skills in Demand visa will replace the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa on Dec. 7.

Key Points:

  • In the announcement, officials also released the new Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) that will apply to the Core Skills stream within the new Skills in Demand visa.
  • The new CSOL supports the rollout of the Skills in Demand visa and represents a single consolidated list that provides access to employer-sponsored skilled migration across 456 occupations. It is shaped by labor market analysis and stakeholder consultations by Jobs and Skills Australia.
  • The new CSOL will also apply to the Direct Entry stream of the permanent Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa and fulfill the government’s commitment to replace occupation lists in the temporary skilled visa program that are considered complex, out of date and inflexible.

Additional Information: As BAL originally reported, the Australian government’s migration strategy announced in December 2023 outlined key actions and new policy commitments to overhaul the Australian migration system, including the creation of a new specialist Skills in Demand visa that would become Australia’s main temporary skilled work visa.

Further details are expected to be announced shortly, but the new Skills in Demand visa will replace the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa with new structural changes. These changes are expected to include three new visa streams, including a Specialist Skills stream, Core Skills stream and Essential Skills stream. The new visa system may also better target high-priority and in-critical-demand occupations, simplify application processes and provide clearer pathways to permanent residency.

BAL Analysis: Further clarification from the Australian government is expected shortly regarding the exact changes and when they will take effect. BAL will continue to monitor developments and will provide more information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Australian government announced a new scheme for graduates and early career professionals from India’s top universities.

Key Points:

  • The new Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) visa allows eligible Indian nationals to live and work in Australia for up to two years.
  • The application process will begin with a visa preapplication ballot process, and those selected will then apply for the new temporary work (international relations) (subclass 403) visa.
  • Officials confirmed there will be 3,000 temporary visa places each year.

Additional Information: Participants will be able to bring dependents. Eligible fields of study include agricultural technology, artificial intelligence, information and communications technology, engineering, financial technology, mining and renewable energy. More information on the MATES initiative can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The first ballot for the new visa stream opens for registrations in December. Officials stated that MATES continues to build on Australia’s and India’s strong people-to-people ties. It will benefit Indian nationals to gain employment and valuable experience in their areas of expertise as well as benefit Australian industry sectors and businesses by giving access to talented graduates with in-demand knowledge and skills.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Australian government’s ballot initiative for the Work and Holiday program for mainland China, India and Vietnam has commenced for program year 2024-2025.

Key Points:

  • The government will implement a visa pre-application ballot process in the 2024-2025 program year for these high-demand countries.
  • As of Oct. 1, separate visa ballots have opened for China, India and Vietnam.
  • The registration fee is 25 Australian dollars (about US$17) for eligible passport holders to enter the ballot process and be randomly selected to apply for a Work and Holiday visa.
  • The government set an annual cap on initial subclass 462 visas for the program year:
    • China — 5,000
    • India — 1,000
    • Vietnam — 1,500

Additional Information: As BAL previously reported, previous registrations lodged for the program in 2023 cannot be used for selection in the new program, and the pre-application process will apply only to first Work and Holiday subclass 462 visa applicants from China, Vietnam and India. Foreign nationals from these countries who have already been granted a first Work and Holiday visa can continue applying for a second or third Work and Holiday visa online. Information on the pre-visa application process is published on the department website.

BAL Analysis: The new initiative is specifically designed to address the number of Work and Holiday visa registrations, which significantly exceed the number of places available to the participant countries each year.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Australian government announced changes for the subclass 400 temporary work (short stay specialist) visa related to longer term stays and return visits.

Key Points:

  • The Department of Home Affairs will now scrutinize subclass 400 visa applications more closely to ensure the pathway is not used as an unauthorized alternative to the subclass 482 temporary skill shortage visa.
  • Under the changes, visa applications with durations of six months are expected to be considered exceptional (though not discontinued) and officials will more closely scrutinize the visa applications where a worker must stay for more than three months in a 12-month period.
  • Additionally, the flexibility of multiple applications over 12 months has been discontinued.
  • Subclass 400 visa holders will be allowed to stay for three months over a 12-month period after arrival and will not be allowed to return and revisit multiple times over that same 12-month span.
  • Applications where the total stay does not exceed six months over a 12-month period were previously approved under the former policy.

Additional Information: The subclass 400 visa is generally granted for up to six months depending on the circumstances for a stay period longer than three months. A strong business case must be provided with the application for short-term work in a highly specialized role and the work or activity must not be ongoing.

BAL Analysis: Officials stated the changes are designed to ensure Australian citizens and permanent residents are not disadvantaged in the job market. Employers should be aware of the implementation of new changes in their recruiting efforts.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Australian government announced a new National Planning Level for international student programs in 2025.

Key Points:

  • Effective Jan. 1, 2025, a total of 270,000 new international student commencements for the 2025 calendar year will be allotted under the new National Planning Level limits.
  • The commencements are divided between higher education and vocational education and training.
  • Vocational education and training sector providers will have 95,000 slots and the higher education sector will have 175,000, including:
    • Public universities — 145,000
    • Private universities and non-university higher education providers — 30,000

Additional Information: Current international students will not be affected by these changes, and the allotments do not include enrollments or offers. The following categories of individuals will be excluded: international students enrolled at an Australian provider studying an Australian transnational education or twinning program, students from the Pacific and Timor-Leste, and “standalone” ELICOS students, among others. The complete list of exempted student cohorts not impacted can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The new 2025 student commencement numbers will be set at around 2023 levels — the government aims to decrease the number of foreign students allowed to enter Australia to pre-pandemic levels. The government will allot slots in the vocational education and training sector to provide more training opportunities for international students alongside Australian students.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.