October 2026
30 October 2026 Consultation open
Proposed student visa changes: Genuine Student and money rules under consultation
Home Affairs is consulting on a new Genuine Student assessment and stricter financial evidence, including about 6 months of deposit history for Evidence Level 3 applicants and funds held in an Australian account. These are proposals only. Submissions close 12 pm AEDT, Monday 23 November 2026.
What it means: Nothing has changed yet. If you plan to apply in 2027, check your money and study story now, while there is time to fix gaps.
26 October 2026 Open now
Victoria opens 2026–27 subclass 190 registrations
Victoria's 2026–27 skilled visa nomination program is open for Registrations of Interest for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), with 900 nomination places. Registrations for the subclass 491 are not being accepted yet, because Victoria's 491 places have not been finalised.
What it means: If Victoria is your 190 plan, update your SkillSelect EOI and submit a new ROI now. Registrations from earlier years don't carry over. 491 applicants need to wait.
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.
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.
15 October 2026 In effect
NSW updates its Skills List for the subclass 190
NSW says its Skills List has been updated for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) only. A further update on the NSW Regional Skills List for the subclass 491 will be provided when more information is available. NSW nomination is by invitation from SkillSelect, with no published round dates.
What it means: If you're aiming for NSW, check your occupation against the updated 190 list and keep your EOI current. NSW 491 applications are closed for the current program year.
15 October 2026 Results published
SkillSelect round 15 Oct 2026: 20,000 subclass 189 invitations
Home Affairs ran a Skilled Independent (subclass 189) round on 15 Oct 2026, inviting 20,000 people across 159 occupations. Compared with 4 Jun 2026, 78 occupations needed fewer points and 9 needed more.
What it means: Check the lowest score and the tie-break date for your occupation. These are past results, not a forecast for the next round.
14 October 2026 Rounds running
Western Australia's October invitation round
Western Australia invited 836 people for the subclass 190 and 391 for the subclass 491 on 14 October 2026, across its General (WASMOL Schedule 1 and 2) and Graduate streams. It expects to issue invitations each month. The state nomination application fee is A$200.
What it means: WA invites from SkillSelect EOIs. You need to be under 45 with at least 65 points, and most 190 applicants need a WA job contract.
13 October 2026 In effect
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The official pages and documents we use, straight from the source.
