More student visa restrictions commence 2 October 2026; Skilled processing priority shake-up (again)

More student visa restrictions commence 2 October 2026; Skilled processing priority shake-up (again)

Further restrictions on student visa applications begin on 2 October 2026, which is a major pillar of recent reforms to Australia’s immigration program, closing a loophole that allowed an applicant to return and obtain a bridging visa to await an outcome. This follows new Ministerial Directions for skilled visa processing priorities.

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New ministerial directions for processing skilled and student visas; Recognised Graduate visa caps before ceasing?

New ministerial directions for processing skilled and student visas; Recognised Graduate visa caps before ceasing?

A ministerial direction for skilled visas prioritising regional areas and a ministerial direction for student visas prioritising offshore applications came into effect recently. The number of 476 visas to be granted this financial year will be 3,735 and this may be the last time this visa will be available.

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PMSOL abolished: healthcare and teaching occupations take over

PMSOL abolished: healthcare and teaching occupations take over

A creature of COVID, the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) was abolished last week and replaced with more back-to-business processing priorities except for healthcare and teaching occupations which now take the highest priority.

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