Migration Tasmania opened its 2026–27 State Nomination Programme on 17 August 2026, with 2,050 places (1,250 for subclass 190; 800 for subclass 491) and weekly invitation rounds commencing 20 August. Key changes include revised ROI priority attributes, a new TSE Gold requirement of at least 30 hours per week in a single position, a higher nomination fee of $387 (plus GST), and a full suspension of the subclass 491 Overseas Skilled Occupation Profiles offshore pathway for the programme year.

From 29 June 2026, VETASSESS introduced updates to its Professional Skills Recognition (PSR) Application Portal, including online renewal and reassessment options for DAMA applicants and the replacement of manual declarations with electronic signatures. The changes streamline the assessment process for both migration agents and applicants lodging professional skills assessments under DAMA and standard skilled migration pathways.

The Commonwealth Government confirmed a six-month extension of the Goldfields Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA), keeping it in effect until 31 December 2026 rather than transitioning to the state-wide WA DAMA on 1 July 2026 as originally planned. The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder continues as the Designated Area Representative, and Goldfields employers retain access to at least 500 places per financial year under the incoming WA DAMA from 1 January 2027.

The Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026 took effect on 1 July 2026, increasing the first instalment of visa application charges by 25% across most subclasses, raising the Core Skilled Income Threshold (CSIT) for subclass 482 and 186 to $79,423, and indexing the TSMIT for subclass 494 regional visas. Citizenship application fees were also adjusted in line with CPI, while concessional and nil-fee categories remain unchanged.

Migration Queensland increased its State Nominated Migration Programme (SNMP) application fee to $573 for all candidates invited to apply from 1 July 2026. The 2025–26 programme year is now closed after all available nomination places were filled, and Migration Queensland is awaiting advice from the Australian Government on 2026–27 programme settings and allocations.

ANMAC has published the Nurse Practitioner Accreditation Standards 2026, following approval from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). The updated standards set the benchmark for nurse practitioner programmes of study and affect overseas-qualified nurse practitioners seeking migration skills assessments, as ANMAC-accredited programmes must align with the new standards to remain eligible for NMBA registration pathways.

The NSW Government confirmed that both the subclass 190 Skilled Nominated and subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional nomination programmes are closed for the 2025–26 programme year, with all 2,100 subclass 190 and 1,500 subclass 491 places allocated. NSW is reviewing programme criteria for 2026–27; submitted applications will continue to be assessed once new nomination places are allocated by the Australian Government.

Migration Queensland closed Registrations of Interest for the 2025–26 SNMP after all available nomination places were filled following a high volume of quality submissions. The programme is now awaiting 2026–27 allocation advice from the Australian Government, and invited applicants who have already submitted applications will continue to be assessed once new places are allocated.

The Migration Legislation Amendment (Annual Market Salary Rate) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/038) commenced on 25 March 2026, applying to all pending and new nomination applications for subclass 482, 494, 186 and 187 visas. The instrument allows employers greater flexibility in determining the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) where a Fair Work instrument, state industrial instrument or transitional instrument applies, permitting use of equivalent Australian worker employment documents or relevant market information as alternative methodologies.

Migration South Australia confirmed that from 1 July 2025, occupations listed on specific Industry Labour Agreements (ILAs) can no longer be accessed under the South Australian DAMA if the occupation is also available on an ILA. For example, aged care providers must now use the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement (ACILA) or the PALM scheme rather than the SA DAMA for affected occupations. Employers must verify occupation eligibility before proceeding with a DAMA endorsement application.

The Migration Legislation Amendment (Assessing Authorities) Instrument 2026 amended LIN 19/051 (general skilled migration assessing authorities) and LIN 19/260 (subclass 494 assessing authorities), with the changes reflected in the instruments as at 28 March 2026. The amendments include the transfer of the Surveyor occupation from the Geospatial Council of Australia (which went into liquidation) to the Institution of Surveyors NSW (ISNSW), and the assignment of Data Scientist (ANZSCO 224999) to ACS rather than VETASSESS.

Migration WA confirmed that the State Nominated Migration Programme (SNMP) is paused for the start of the 2026–27 programme year pending confirmation of the formal allocation from the Department of Home Affairs. A small interim allocation was issued to clear remaining 2024–25 applications, but new invitations will not be issued until the full 2026–27 allocation is confirmed by the Commonwealth Government.

The Australian Government confirmed the 2026–27 permanent Migration Programme planning level remains at 185,000 places, retaining the 70% Skilled and 30% Family split. Of the skilled stream, 129,590 places are directed to onshore migrants, with the remaining 55,410 offshore places focused on high-skilled migrants. Net Overseas Migration is forecast to fall to 245,000 in 2026–27 and 225,000 in 2027–28.