Australian Immigration – June 2026

Australian Immigration – June 2026

Australian Immigration – June 2026

As June draws to a close and another financial year comes to an end, it is the perfect time to reflect, plan ahead, and ensure you are prepared for the migration changes taking effect from 1 July 2026.

In this month’s update, we cover the upcoming increases to employer-sponsored income thresholds, expected changes to Department of Home Affairs application fees, and the latest ACT skilled migration invitation results. We also address the growing concerns around visa processing times, including what applicants can realistically expect while waiting for a decision from the Department.

We are also pleased to announce the launch of our new Sponsorship Compliance Audit Service, designed to help businesses stay on top of their ongoing sponsorship obligations and reduce the risk of unexpected compliance issues.

As always, staying informed and planning ahead remains the best way to navigate Australia’s ever-changing migration environment. We hope you enjoy this month’s update and wish all of our clients and partners a successful start to the new financial year.
📌 In this Edition

  • CSSIT, SSIT & FWHIT Reminder – Changes Effective 1 July 2026
  • Department of Home Affairs Fees Increase – Changes Effective 1 July 2026
  • ACT Skilled Migration Update
  • Standard Business Sponsorship Obligations & File Audits
  • Processing Times for Lodged Applications

CSIT, SSIT & FWHIT Reminder – Changes Effective 1 July 2026

As a reminder, the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT), Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) and Fair Work High Income Threshold (FWHIT) are increasing from 1 July 2026 in line with annual indexation requirements.

These updated thresholds will apply to relevant employer-sponsored visa applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026, including the:

  • Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
  • Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)

💼 Updated Income Thresholds

  • CSIT: increasing from $76,515 to $79,499
  • SSIT: increasing from $141,210 to $146,717
  • FWHIT: increasing from $183,100 to $190,100

📌 What This Means for Employers & Applicants

For businesses planning to sponsor skilled workers, and applicants preparing employer-sponsored pathways, timing may become increasingly important as we approach the end of the financial year.

Applications lodged before 1 July 2026 must satisfy the current thresholds, while applications lodged on or after this date will need to meet the new indexed amounts.

It is also important to remember that nominated salaries must continue to meet market salary requirements in addition to the minimum threshold requirements.

If you are planning an employer-sponsored application in the coming months, now is a good time to review salary arrangements and prepare documentation early.

Department of Home Affairs Fees Increase – Changes Effective 1 July 2026

From 1 July 2026, the Department of Home Affairs will be increasing the Visa Application Charge (VAC) fees. This increase comes in line with the Australian Consumer Index (CPI) and occurs at the start of each new financial year.

At this stage, the updated fee schedule has not yet been released, and the exact increases remain unknown. We expect the Department to publish the new charges from 1 July 2026.

Clients considering lodging a visa application are encouraged to seek advice and, where possible, finalise their applications before 1 July to avoid potential additional costs.

ACT Skilled Migration Update

The ACT Government conducted a skilled migration nomination invitation round on 11 June 2026, issuing a total of 77 Subclass 190 nominations and 5 Subclass 491 nominations.

Invitation Breakdown

Doctorate Streamlined Pathway

  • Subclass 190: 8 invitations
  • Subclass 491: 5 invitations

Canberra Residents

Small Business Owners

  • Subclass 190: 3 invitations (minimum Matrix score: 110)
  • Subclass 491: 10 invitations

Critical Skill Occupations

  • Subclass 190: 66 invitations
  • Subclass 491: 0 invitations

Overseas Applicants

Critical Skill Occupations

  • Subclass 190: 0 invitations
  • Subclass 491: 0 invitations

Remaining ACT Nomination Allocation

As of 12 June 2026, the ACT had 82 nomination places remaining in its 2025–26 allocation, comprising:

  • 74 Subclass 190 nomination places
  • 8 Subclass 491 nomination places

The latest round continues to demonstrate the ACT’s focus on attracting highly skilled candidates already contributing to the Canberra economy, particularly through critical skill occupations and streamlined pathways for doctoral graduates.

Standard Business Sponsorship Obligations & File Audits

Businesses who hold or utilise a Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) approval have ongoing obligations that must be met throughout the sponsorship period. These obligations are designed to ensure compliance with Australian migration laws and protect both sponsored employees and sponsoring employers.

Many businesses are unaware that sponsorship obligations extend well beyond simply sponsoring an employee. Requirements can include maintaining accurate records, notifying the Department of certain changes, ensuring equivalent terms and conditions of employment, monitoring salary requirements, and retaining evidence relating to recruitment, employment arrangements, and workplace practices.

Failure to comply with sponsorship obligations can result in serious consequences for businesses, including sponsorship cancellation, financial penalties, and restrictions on future sponsorship applications.

To assist our business clients, we are pleased to announce that our team of Registered Migration Agents will now be offering a Sponsorship Compliance Audit Service.

Our audit process is designed to provide businesses with peace of mind by assessing current sponsorship arrangements, reviewing internal processes and documentation, identifying any areas of concern, and advising on steps required to maintain ongoing compliance. Where necessary, we will request additional documentation or information to ensure all obligations are being properly met both now and into the future.

This service is ideal for businesses who:

  • Currently sponsor overseas workers
  • Have multiple sponsored employees
  • Have experienced business structure or staffing changes
  • Want to proactively manage compliance risks
  • Are preparing for future sponsorship or nomination applications

If your business would like further information about our Sponsorship Compliance Audit Service, please contact our office to discuss how we can assist.

Processing Times for Lodged Visa Applications

We have received a large number of enquiries recently from applicants concerned about the processing times of their lodged visa applications.

While the Department of Home Affairs publishes estimated processing times for most visa subclasses, it is important to understand that these timeframes are a guide only. They are based on recently finalised applications and can change at any time depending on application volumes, available resources, government priorities, and annual planning levels.

Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly common for applications to remain undecided beyond the published processing times. While this can be frustrating, exceeding the standard processing timeframe does not necessarily indicate that there is an issue with the application.

Many applicants choose to lodge complaints or enquiries with the Department once their application has exceeded the published processing times. In most cases, the response received is a generic update advising that visa processing is being affected by planning levels and visa grant allocations for the current financial year.

It is also important not to read too much into how quickly the Department responds to these complaints. A fast response does not mean that your application has been reviewed, prioritised, or is about to be decided. In most cases, these replies are standard responses and provide no indication of where an application sits in the processing queue or when a decision may be made.

While we understand the desire to seek updates, lodging multiple complaints or follow-up enquiries will not generally accelerate processing or change the Department’s priorities.

As always, we continue to monitor all lodged applications and will contact you immediately if we receive any updates or requests from the Department. We appreciate your patience and understanding as processing times continue to fluctuate across many visa categories.
Final Thoughts – From Us to You

As we enter the 2026–27 financial year, a number of important migration changes are set to take effect, including increased employer-sponsored income thresholds and updated Department of Home Affairs application fees.

For both employers and visa applicants, the months ahead will continue to require careful planning, particularly as processing times remain unpredictable and compliance obligations for sponsoring businesses remain under increasing scrutiny.

Whether you are preparing an employer-sponsored application, considering your migration options, or looking to ensure your business remains compliant with sponsorship requirements, early preparation and informed decision-making remain key.

If you would like advice regarding your visa options, employer-sponsored pathways, sponsorship compliance obligations, or future migration planning, our team is here to assist.
💡 How We Can Help

We know the migration process can feel overwhelming, especially when policies shift and programs evolve.

At First Class Migration Australia, our experienced team is here to guide you through the process with up-to-date advice, tailored support, and a deep understanding of the Australian immigration system.

📩Got questions? Need help? Reach out at:

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Ready to get started? Contact First Class Migration today to begin your visa application process with the support of experts who truly care about your future in Australia.