June at Nomos
As we prepare to enter a new financial/migration year, June has offered further insight into the direction of immigration policy and migration trends across Australia and New Zealand. A combination of regulatory updates, residence pathway reforms, and newly released government data has continued to shape the environment in which migrants, employers, and migration professionals operate. Below are some of the key developments from the past month.
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- June has delivered another positive month of outcomes for our clients across a range of visa, sponsorship, and citizenship matters. Over the past month, we were pleased to see further grants across the Skills in Demand (‘SID’) (subclass 482) and General Skilled Migration (subclass 189) visa categories, along with additional Standard Business Sponsorship approvals and successful Australian citizenship outcomes. These results are always rewarding to see, particularly as clients continue to navigate an immigration system marked by evolving policy settings and ongoing processing pressures.
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- Employer sponsors in Australia should be aware of upcoming increases to key salary thresholds that will take effect 1 July 2026. As part of the Federal Government’s annual indexation process, the Core Skills Income Threshold (‘CSIT’) and Specialist Skills Income Threshold (‘SSIT’) will both increase to reflect changes in Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (‘AWOTE’). These thresholds play a pivotal role in determining eligibility for employer-sponsored visa pathways, including the Skills in Demand (‘SID’) visa program. The annual adjustments are intended to ensure that Australia’s skilled migration framework remains aligned with broader labour market conditions and wage growth. The changes also form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the integrity of the skilled migration system by ensuring that sponsored workers are employed in genuinely skilled positions and receive salaries that are consistent with market expectations. For employers, the increase means that any new nominations lodged on or after 1 July must meet the updated threshold requirements, regardless of when recruitment commenced. While the increases are unlikely to significantly affect most higher-paid occupations, they may have a greater impact on employers operating in sectors where salaries are closer to the minimum thresholds. The start of a new financial year is also a good time to do a general ‘health check’ to ensure that your business is complying with all the applicable sponsorship obligations for existing staff. For guidance on employer sponsorship obligations, please contact us to arrange a review of your business’ practices.
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- Immigration New Zealand (‘INZ’) has confirmed the final details of changes to the Skilled Migrant Category (‘SMC’) Resident Visa, which take effect on 24 August 2026. The reforms place greater emphasis on New Zealand work experience and specialised technical skills, shifting the focus beyond formal qualifications. The most significant change is the introduction of two new residence pathways: the Skilled Work Experience pathway and the Trades and Technician pathway. These will sit alongside the existing Points-based pathway, providing additional routes to residence based on skilled work experience. The reforms address longstanding gaps in New Zealand’s skilled migration settings, particularly for experienced tradespeople and technicians who previously had limited pathways to residence despite working in high-demand occupations. By recognising practical skills and New Zealand work experience, the changes are intended to help employers attract and retain the skilled workers needed to support long-term economic growth. For detailed advice on how the new settings may affect your New Zealand residence pathways and the potential impact of these changes, please reach out to us to arrange a consultation with Victoria Stevenson of our firm.
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- National attention has recently been drawn to the case of Christin Das, a nurse in regional Victoria, whose family’s application for a permanent Australian visa was refused. The refusal followed a determination by a Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (‘MOC’) that Ms Das’ young son, who has a developmental condition, would likely result in a significant cost to the Australian community should the family be granted permanent residency. Ms Das and her husband – a chef – both occupy occupations that are critical to Australia’s economy and community. As Ms Das made a final plea to the Minister for Home Affairs to intervene on public interest grounds, the case sparked renewed public discussion about Australia’s visa health requirements. While individual cases like this often attract considerable public sympathy, they also serve as an important reminder that health requirements remain a fundamental component of Australia’s migration framework. For many visa subclasses, all applicants included in an application – not just the primary applicant – must satisfy the relevant health criteria. These requirements are intended to minimise significant costs to Australia’s healthcare and community service systems while safeguarding access to those services for Australian citizens and permanent residents. Given the potentially significant consequences of an adverse health assessment, applicants must carefully consider these requirements before lodging a visa application, particularly where a family member has an existing medical condition or disability. Seeking professional advice at an early stage can help applicants understand the applicable health criteria and develop the most appropriate migration strategy for their circumstances. If you require advice on navigating the complexities of Australia’s health requirements, we urge you to contact us to arrange a consultation with Kathryn Viegas, who has over 20 years of experience in dealing with health waivers.
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- Data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (‘ABS’) in June highlighted the continued strength of international travel and migration-related movements into and out of Australia. According to the latest Overseas Arrivals and Departures statistics for April 2026 (the most recent data set released to the public), millions of international border crossings continue to occur each year as Australia remains a highly sought-after destination for tourists, international students, skilled workers, and temporary visa holders alike. Such data provides a useful snapshot of broader mobility trends and reflects the ongoing recovery and stabilisation of international travel following the significant disruptions experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. While overseas arrivals and departures statistics do not directly measure migration outcomes, they can provide valuable insight into broader migration patterns and the movement of people across Australia’s borders. These trends are closely monitored by policymakers, economists, and migration professionals as they contribute to discussions surrounding workforce planning, housing demand, infrastructure requirements, and future migration settings. The continued volume of international travel also underscores the important role migration plays in supporting Australia’s economy and addressing labour market needs across a range of industries. As migration settings continue to evolve, employers and prospective migrants alike should remain attentive to policy developments and emerging trends that may affect future visa opportunities.
That’s the Nomos wrap-up for June. 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.
