July 2026 wrap-up

• • Throughout the month, we’ve seen further grants for our clients across the Skills in Demand (‘SID’) (subclass 482) and Resident Return (subclass 155) visa categories, as well as additional Standard Business Sponsorship approvals and successful Australian citizenship outcomes. Our SID visa grants were particularly diverse this month, and included applicants nominated under the occupations of Office Manager, Child Care Worker, Veterinary Nurse, and Telecommunications Network Engineer. We are always pleased to see clients achieve milestones like this in their respective immigration journeys.

• • As anticipated, visa application charges increased from 1 July, with the increases being greater than we have generally seen in prior years. Visa application charges for Partner visas, Resident Return visas and Bridging visa Bs in particular increased significantly. The annual adjustment again highlights the importance of factoring potential fee increases into application planning, particularly where lodgement is approaching the end of the financial year. For applicants and families facing already substantial application costs, even a short delay in lodgement across the 1 July threshold can result in a considerably higher overall expense. Where an application is expected to be lodged around this time of year, early preparation can be particularly important in ensuring that avoidable delays do not result in additional costs.

• • Australia’s family violence provisions have come under renewed scrutiny following concerns that migrant victim-survivors of family violence may face significant difficulties accessing protections intended to allow certain visa applicants to remain eligible for a visa after leaving an abusive relationship. As reported by the ABC this month, applicants seeking to rely on the family violence provisions may first be required to establish that their relationship was genuine before their claims of family violence are assessed. This requires evidence relating to matters such as shared finances, living arrangements and the social aspects of the relationship. However, lawyers and advocates have highlighted that precisely this type of evidence may be difficult or even impossible for some victim-survivors to provide, particularly where financial abuse or coercive control has prevented them from accessing joint bank accounts, leases and other documents ordinarily relied upon as evidence of a relationship. Concerns have also been raised about the limited availability of the provisions across Australia’s temporary visa system. Some temporary visa holders – including Student visa holders and subclass 482 visa holders – are unable to access the protections despite experiencing family violence. The Minister for Home Affairs, The Hon Tony Burke MP, has pointed to measures taken by the Federal Government in response to family violence in the migration context, including expanding access to assistance and cancelling the visas of multiple people on the basis of credible allegations of domestic and family violence, including coercive control. Navigating Australia’s complex immigration system can be stressful at the best of times, but these challenges can be significantly compounded for visa holders and applicants experiencing family violence. Understanding the protections that may be available, and obtaining timely and appropriate advice, is especially important in these circumstances. For more information on Australia’s family violence provisions, please contact us to arrange a confidential initial consultation with Kathryn Viegas.

• • From 25 July, changes to the processing priorities for a number of Skilled and Family visa applications took effect under three new Ministerial Directions. The changes form part of the Government’s broader efforts to place greater emphasis on applicants already in Australia and manage levels of net overseas migration. Ministerial Direction 117 (replacing Ministerial Direction 102) introduces revised processing priorities for Family visa applications, including greater priority for applications lodged while the applicant was in Australia. Ministerial Direction 119 (replacing Ministerial Direction 105) establishes new priorities across a range of Skilled visa categories, generally giving greater priority to onshore applicants, with particular priority afforded to applicants who support Australia’s law enforcement or defence interests. This is a significant change from previous directions. Ministerial Direction 120 establishes revised processing priorities for National Innovation (subclass 858) visa applications and certain outstanding applications under the former Global Talent and Distinguished Talent programs. For advice on how these changes may affect your current or prospective visa application, reach out to our team to arrange a consultation.

• • From 20 July, changes to New Zealand’s Pathway Student Visa (‘PSV’) came into effect, providing international students with greater flexibility in planning and progressing their studies. The reforms allow secondary school students greater freedom when transitioning to tertiary education by enabling them to change their field of study with their education provider’s approval without necessarily requiring a new Student visa. The PSV has also been expanded to cover a broader range of study pathways, including those leading to or between levels 1 and 4 of the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (‘NZQCF’), such as English language, foundation and vocational certificate programmes. In addition, eligible first-time PSV holders progressing to NZQCF levels 1 to 8 may now undertake up to 30 weeks of English language study before commencing their next qualification, an increase from the previous 20-week limit. For tailored advice on the changes, please contact us to arrange a consultation with Victoria Stevenson.

That’s the Nomos wrap-up for July. See you next month!

*All information is general information only, as at the date of publication, and should not be interpreted as legal advice. For an accurate and current assessment of your circumstances and visa options, please contact us to receive this advice.