New Financial Year, New Visa Rules: Are You Still Eligible?
July signals not just a new month but the start of a new financial year (2025–2026), and with it comes significant updates in the Australian immigration space. Whether you're applying for a partner visa, exploring state-nominated skilled migration, or waiting on visa allocations, here’s what you need to know.
Key Immigration Changes for the 2025–26 Financial Year
The new financial year, which began on 1 July 2025 and runs through 30 June 2026, brings several impactful updates for visa applicants, employers, and migrants across Australia.
Visa application charges have been increased across a wide range of visa subclasses.
The minimum salary threshold for employer-sponsored visas, such as the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand Visa, has risen. This means employers will need to offer a higher base salary to meet sponsorship obligations.
Positive developments in South Australia’s DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreement) now allow permanent residency after just 2 years on a Subclass 482 visa (previously 3 years), making the regional migration path more attractive and efficient.
Where Are the 2025–26 Migration Allocations?
As of late July, the Federal Government has yet to release the migration planning numbers and visa allocations for the 2025–26 financial year. This delay has left many prospective applicants and state governments in a holding pattern.
Without official allocations, states and territories remain closed to new Expressions of Interest (EOIs). This bottleneck means no nominations can be issued until the federal announcement is made.
For comparison, the 2024–25 migration program had 185,000 places, announced in May 2024. This year, we are already into the new financial year, and we are still waiting.
What Should You Do While You Wait?
While EOI submissions are on hold and visa allocations remain pending, now is the perfect time to review your supporting documents:
Check your English test validity (IELTS, PTE, etc.)
Ensure your Skills Assessment is current
Prepare evidence and documents for rapid submission when programs reopen
Being proactive ensures you can act immediately once state nominations or federal allocations are announced.
Key Changes to Partner Visa Regulations:
1. Unified Cessation Provisions for Subclass 309 and 820
Both visa subclasses now share aligned rights if your relationship ends due to:
Death of the sponsoring partner
Family or domestic violence
Child custody, maintenance, or access responsibilities
2. Onshore and Offshore Flexibility
Applicants can now lodge either Subclass 309 or 820 from within or outside Australia, a welcome change for those navigating complex living situations.
3. Eased Requirements for Family Domestic Violence Cases
Applicants impacted by FDV under Subclass 309 no longer need to be in Australia at the time of decision, only at the time of application.
4. Tighter Background Checks
There’s a stronger emphasis on reviewing the character history of both applicants and sponsors, aligning with the government’s broader goal of protecting vulnerable migrants.
From fee increases and regional PR opportunities to major Partner Visa reforms, the 2025–26 financial year is already a big one for Australian immigration. For trusted help with your Partner Visa or any other Australian immigration matter, reach out to ThinkVisa today. We're here to guide you through every step.
