Key Updates in March 2026
- Processing is slower and less predictable across multiple visa classes; priority and escalation requests are largely unavailable.
- Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa fees increased on 1 March 2026, significantly raising costs for graduates and their families; no prior public notice was issued.
- Core Skills and Specialist Skills income thresholds (relevant to Subclass 482 and 186 programs) will rise from 1 July 2026 under annual indexation.
- Employers should reassess workforce plans, remuneration structures and timing of lodgements for the remainder of FY25–26 and into FY26–27
Current processing environment: what we are seeing now
Published timeframes are not reliably reflecting practical experience. The following are indicative only and continue to shift:
Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand)
Accredited sponsors:
- Specialist Skill: ~1-5 weeks
- Core Skills: ~1-5 months
Non-accredited sponsors:
- Specialist Skills: ~1 week-2 months
- Core Skills: ~5-7 months
Permanent residence (subclass 186):
- Many cases now extend to 20 months or longer
Subclass 400 (Temporary Work – Short Stay Specialist):
- Applications are processed offshore, with notable regional divergence
- Europe/the Americas often finalised faster, while other regions are taking longer.
Extended processing is leading to expiry of time sensitive documents – such as police clearances and health examinations – mid‑process, with re‑requests regularly issued by case officers. These conditions reflect sustained lodgement volumes, integrity screening settings, and uneven workloads across domestic and overseas teams, with additional pressure typically building toward the end of the financial year.
Bridging Visa B (BVB): delays and travel risks
BVB processing is stretching longer than expected. Decisions are frequently made close to, or after, the applicant’s intended travel dates. This is being felt acutely among applicants linked to employer‑sponsored visas.
Critical reminders for anyone with upcoming travel:
- A Bridging Visa A does not permit travel
- A BVB must be granted before departing Australia. Departing on a BVA causes it to cease and may disrupt the ability to return and continue onshore processing.
- Lodging early is essential, but grant before travel is not guaranteed.
Visa applicants are urged to be mindful of these delays. Aim to lodge 4-6 weeks (or earlier) before intended travel. In peak periods, consider an even longer runway.
For sponsored workers with pending onshore applications, schedule business travel conservatively and build contingency for BVB grant timing.
Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa: fee increase effective 1 March 2026
New Visa Application Charges (standard applicants):
- Primary applicant: $4,600
- Secondary applicant (18+): $2,300
- Secondary applicant (under 18): $1,160
Concessional fees: Some applicants who hold passports from specified Pacific countries:
eligible passport means a valid passport issued by one of the following countries:
- Federated States of Micronesia;
- Fiji;
- Kiribati;
- Nauru;
- Palau;
- Papua New Guinea;
- Republic of the Marshall Islands;
- Samoa;
- Solomon Islands;
- Timor‑Leste;
- Tonga;
- Tuvalu;
- Vanuatu
Post‑study work rights, core eligibility requirements and the Subclass 485 pathway remain in place.
This material increase was implemented without prior public notice. Migration Affairs records concern with the absence of notice and the scale of the adjustment, given the impact on students and recent graduates.
Income thresholds from 1 July 2026: CSIT and SSIT (482/186)
Under regulation 5.42A of the Migration Regulations, thresholds are indexed annually using ABS AWOTE data.
New indexed amounts (for applications lodged on/after 1 July 2026):
- Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT): $79,499 (up from $76,515)
- Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT): $146,717 (up from $141,210)
Important implications:
- Employers: Post‑1 July nominations must meet/exceed these thresholds and market salary. Review contracts and remuneration modelling intended for lodgement on/after 1 July.
- Applicants: Proposed guaranteed earnings must meet the relevant threshold at lodgement.
The rise in CSIT to $79,499 will challenge roles where market pay and award rates sit below this level (e.g., hospitality and related services).
Planning considerations for March–June 2026 and beyond
Given the likelihood of continued variability – and potential additional pressure as 30 June approaches – planning should include contingencies for BVB timing where international travel is anticipated and for expiry‑prone documents such as police checks, health examinations and English test results. Accredited sponsorship remains advantageous for many Subclass 482 cohorts, though it does not guarantee priority in all cases.
International students and recent graduates should incorporate the increased Subclass 485 costs into post‑study plans and complete evidentiary preparation early to avoid re‑work.
How Migration Affairs can assist
Migration Affairs provides strategic guidance tailored to changing migration settings, supports preparation and lodgement of applications, monitors progress and status, offers advice on timing and travel considerations, and keeps stakeholders informed of relevant developments.
Contact us today:
📧 info@migrationaffairs.com.au
🌐 migrationaffairs.com.au/contact
📞 +61 2 8226 8777
Changes to the migration program can occur without notice. The above information is not intended to be legal advice and is correct as of the date of writing this article.
Contact Migrations Affairs to speak with our immigration experts for tailored advice on the circumstances and eligibility.
