Australia makes community-sponsored refugee program permanent
Community refugee sponsorship program made permanent across Australia
Skilled-migration points test to favour younger, higher-paid applicants from July
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Labor Makes Community-Led Refugee Sponsorship Program Permanent
The Albanese government has ended a four-year trial and made the community-sponsored CRISP refugee program permanent, allocating 1,500 humanitarian places a year. An independent review found high housing and employment outcomes, especially in regional areas, giving businesses a new source of work-ready talent while boosting social cohesion.
Australians could soon travel to Bali visa-free under new proposal
Indonesia’s tourism ministry has confirmed it is actively considering restoring 30-day visa-free entry for Australian citizens, scrapping the current A$40 Visa-on-Arrival fee. The move – aimed at accelerating Bali’s visitor recovery – would benefit 1.5 million Australian leisure and business travellers a year and trim both cost and airport processing times. Travel managers should prepare to update policy once the exemption is formally approved.
Government Signals ‘More Selective’ Skilled Migration as New Salary Thresholds Loom
A 12 June advisory notes that Australia will increase the minimum salaries for employer-sponsored visas on 1 July 2026 (CSIT A$73,150; SSIT A$118,900) and that Home Affairs will tighten labour-market testing and SkillSelect ranking to make skilled migration ‘more selective’. Employers must review salary budgets and lodge nominations before the higher thresholds take effect.
Qantas sets July freight launch at Western Sydney hub as shares dip on oil worries
Qantas Freight will commence 24-hour operations at Western Sydney International Airport on 27 July 2026, preceding Jetstar’s first passenger flight in October. The news comes as Qantas shares fell on fuel-price concerns, but analysts say the extra cargo and network capacity from the new hub should bolster long-term earnings.
Immigration surge outpaces housing supply three-to-one, study finds
A 12 June article warns that new home completions are running at only one-third of net overseas migration, intensifying Australia’s housing squeeze. The shortage drives up rents and complicates settlement for skilled migrants and students, forcing employers to rethink relocation budgets and timelines.
Australia to Launch 12-Month Digital Nomad Visa for 10 Asian Countries
Canberra has approved a one-year Digital Nomad visa for citizens of ten key Asian markets, aiming to attract 50,000 remote workers a year to regional Australia. Applicants must show remote income of at least A$45,000 and hold private health cover; processing is forecast at 15 days. The scheme is designed to boost tourism spend outside the big cities and sharpen Australia’s competitiveness against Portugal and Spain for location-independent talent.
Australia launches 12-month Digital Nomad Visa for 10 Asian nations
From 1 August 2026, citizens of 10 key Asian markets will be able to live and work in Australia for up to a year under a new Digital Nomad Visa. The scheme targets regional economic development and gives multinationals a low-friction option for seconding remote workers. Employers gain flexibility but must still watch tax-residency thresholds and compliance.
Western Sydney International confirms 25 October passenger debut with Jetstar and Qantas
Jetstar will launch the first passenger service from Western Sydney International Airport on 25 October 2026, with Qantas joining in March 2027. The 24-hour airport gives businesses in Western Sydney a faster domestic gateway and is set to attract international airlines, freight operators and thousands of new jobs.
Detention-centre officers stage rolling national strikes over ‘US-style’ labour practices
Immigration detention officers launched two-hour rolling strikes on 11–12 June, protesting low pay and dangerous rosters under new contractor Secure Journeys. The stoppages force Border Force to reallocate managers and risk delays to detainee movements, which could cascade into visa-processing schedules relevant to corporate immigration cases.