Australia opens first Subclass 462 Work-and-Holiday ballot for India, expanding youth mobility links
Record Subclass 189 Invitation Round Signals Government Push to Clear Skilled-Migrant Backlog
Latest Subclass 189 invitation round boosts confidence among skilled-migration hopefuls
Latest News
Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) Visa Ballot Opens for India, China and Vietnam
Home Affairs has opened the 4-25 June 2026 ballot for Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visas for China, India and Vietnam. A StudyNash guide published 13 June explains the lottery process, costs and timelines—critical because India’s quota is capped at just 1,000 places. Employers in tourism and agriculture should track the draw, while Luxembourg nationals benefit from scrapped ‘Letter of Support’ paperwork.
India–Australia Work-and-Holiday Visa Ballot Enters Final Fortnight
Registrations for the first India-only Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa ballot close on 25 June 2026. Only entrants selected in the 3,000-place draw will be allowed to lodge applications. Employers should prepare for an influx of short-term Indian workers, especially in regional and seasonal sectors.
Australia makes community-sponsored refugee program permanent
The Albanese Government has ended the trial phase of the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Program, locking in community-sponsored resettlement as a permanent part of Australia’s humanitarian intake. Data show strong employment and housing outcomes, and officials say the model counters anti-immigration rhetoric while easing pressure on government services. Businesses gain a new, work-ready talent channel but may need to adapt onboarding support.
Community refugee sponsorship program made permanent across Australia
The Albanese government has confirmed that the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Program – a volunteer-led model that resettles UN-referred refugees – will become a permanent feature of Australia’s humanitarian intake. Evaluations show strong housing and employment outcomes, offering employers a new talent pool while boosting community cohesion.
Skilled-migration points test to favour younger, higher-paid applicants from July
Home Affairs has published details of a stricter skilled-migration regime that will lift salary thresholds on 1 July 2026 and award more points to younger, higher-paid and regionally-nominated applicants. Businesses face higher sponsorship costs, while would-be migrants over 40 will find pathways narrower.
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.