
Attention Subclass 188 Visa Holders: Here’s How to Extend Your Stay
A strategic solution for business owners and investors needing more time to qualify for permanent residency If you currently hold a Subclass 188 visa in
Trust & Confidence. Itβs what has made thousands of individuals, families and corporations turn to us to bring their Australian dreams to life.
We pursue the exceptional and employ a uniquely universal approach, combining an incredibly deep knowledge of Australian immigration laws with an incredibly strategic understanding of our clientsβ challenges and requirements.
As trusted immigration lawyers in Melbourne, we combine deep expertise in Australian immigration law with a strategic understanding of each clientβs unique challenges and goals β from visa applications and sponsorships to complex migration matters.
Our approach generates results – and confidence. Client Experience? Our reviews speak for themselves. Your Australian dream is closer than you think!
Augustine & Co. Migration Lawyers in Melbourne have a proven track record of success, even with the most complex immigration matters.
Our clients consistently rate us 5-stars for our professionalism, quality representation, value, and responsiveness.
Our team of immigration lawyers answer all of our clientsβ questions transparently and make sure they are never left in the dark.
Whether you’re taking your first steps towards Australia or navigating complex immigration challenges, our Melbourne immigration lawyers provide expert guidance tailored to your unique situation.
Australian Family & Partner Visa options allow foreign de facto partners or spouses, children, and immediate family members of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens to reunite and live in Australia.
The General Skilled Migration program is a points & invite based visa pathway for skilled individuals or families looking to migrate to Australia to fill skills gaps in the Australian economy.
The Business and Investor immigration pathway allows entrepreneurs and professional investors to own and manage a business in Australia, conduct business and investment activities or undertake an entrepreneurial activity in Australia.
Australia offers several visa options for businesses to address labour shortages by sponsoring skilled workers where employers are unable to source an appropriately skilled Australian worker.
Have you had a visa refused or cancelled by the Department? You may be able to have the decision reviewed at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) or the Federal Circuit Court.
Regional sponsored migration visas allow skilled workers and their families to move to Australia permanently and live and work in designated regional areas.
Nothing speaks louder than results. Here are just a few powerful examples of how our Melbourne immigration lawyers have helped clients achieve their Australian dreams, even in the most challenging and complex cases
Augustine & Co.’s latest insights on legal and migration news, case studies, and more
A strategic solution for business owners and investors needing more time to qualify for permanent residency If you currently hold a Subclass 188 visa in
Australia continues to provide rewarding pathways for skilled migrants who choose to live and contribute to regional communities. One such opportunity is the Subclass 191
Introduction Australiaβs skilled migration system continues to evolve in response to national workforce demands. Among the most vital pathways is the transition from the Subclass
π§ New Financial Year. Same Mission. Sharper Vision.
At Augustine & Co., we start FY25β26 with what matters most β clear strategy, honest advice, and real results.
This year brings key migration updates now in effect:
πΉ VAC increases across major visa subclasses
πΉ Higher income thresholds for employer-sponsored visas
πΉ State nominations paused pending allocations
πΉ No changes to skilled occupation lists
πΉ AITSL to ACECQA switch for Early Childhood Teacher assessments
πΉ SC191 clarification: visa condition 8579 compliance matters β not a fixed residency period
Whether itβs skilled migration, partner visas or complex appeals β we donβt follow trends. We shape pathways.
Letβs make this year count.
#AugustineAndCo #MigrationLawyersAustralia #VisaUpdates2025 #NewFinancialYear #SkilledMigration #Subclass186 #Subclass482 #Subclass491 #Subclass191 #PartnerVisaExperts #StudentVisaAustralia #TSMIT #VisaApplicationCharges #StateNomination #AITSL #ACECQA #AustralianImmigration #VisaStrategy
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Citizenship Application Fees Increasing from 1 July 2025
Effective 1 July 2025, Australian citizenship application fees will increase due to annual indexation aligned with the Consumer Price Index. Key updates include:
β’ Citizenship by Conferral (General Eligibility): Increasing from $560 to $575
β’ Citizenship by Descent: Rising from $360 to $370 for the first sibling; subsequent siblings remain at $150
β’ Citizenship by Conferral (No Test Required): Adjusting from $345 to $350
β’ Evidence of Australian Citizenship: Increasing from $275 to $280
Concession fees and exemptions remain available for eligible applicants.
If youβre planning to apply for Australian citizenship, consider submitting your application before 1 July 2025 to take advantage of the current fee structure.
#AustralianCitizenship #CitizenshipFees #ImmigrationUpdate #Australia #Augustineandco
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Key Updates on Employer-Sponsored Visas:
ποΈ Processing times for SC 482 SID visas have significantly increased from previous medians:
βͺ Specialist Skills from 7 days to 39 days
βͺ Core Skills from 21 days to 47 days
πΌ SC 482 & SC 494 visa holders: You are not required to cease work with prospective sponsors while awaiting nomination approval, even after standard condition periods lapse (Conditions 8607(5) & 8608(5)).
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SC 186 visa update: Applicants no longer need two continuous years with the same employer. Employment periods between nomination lodgement and approval now count toward meeting employment requirements under clause 186.227.
π SC 407 Training Visa lodgements surged by 360%, but refusals are high. Providing substantial evidence is now critical to success.
#EmployerSponsoredVisa #Subclass482 #Subclass494 #Subclass186 #TrainingVisa #Subclass407 #ImmigrationUpdates #AustraliaVisa #VisaProcessing #AugustineAndCo #VisaAdvice #WorkVisaAustralia #ProfessionalGuidance #VisaClarification #immigrationlaw #immigrationlawyers
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π’ Skilled Visa Program Update | 2024β25 π¦πΊ
The latest numbers are in β
πΉ Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent)
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22,973 invitations issued β already exceeding the annual cap of 16,900.
π Strong demand, but no guarantee of future rounds this program year.
πΉ Subclass 190 (State Nominated)
π 9,580 nominations so far β with over 23,000 places still available.
π States are moving slowly. Plenty of opportunities remain.
πΉ Subclass 491 (Skilled Regional)
π Only 5,143 nominations out of 33,000 places.
π The most underutilised visa β but could pick up sharply in coming months.
π‘ Planning your skilled migration journey? Nowβs the time to act.
π© Get in touch for a professional assessment and expert assistance.
#AugustineAndCo #AustralianImmigration #SkilledMigration #Subclass189 #Subclass190 #Subclass491 #VisaUpdate #MigrationLawyers #Australia2025 #StateNomination #WorkInAustralia #immigrationlaw
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π Queenslandβs immigration landscape is evolving rapidly ahead of Brisbane hosting the 2032 Olympics.β
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Discover how this event is creating new skilled migration pathways and reshaping opportunities across Queensland.β
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π Link in bio for the full details.β
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#BrisbaneOlympics #SkilledMigration #QueenslandImmigration #Subclass190 #Subclass491 #EmployerNominationScheme #QueenslandJobs #AugustineAndCo
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Federal Budget 2025: Minimal Migration Announcements, but Key Commitments
Despite expectations, the Government did not reveal 2025β26 permanent migration program planning levels.
However, relevant measures include:
β’ Net overseas migration projected at 225,000 from 2027;
β’ Stable funding for Administrative Review Tribunal and migration-related legal matters;
β’ Ongoing funding for the resettlement of non-citizens with no right to remain in Australia;
β’ $925.2M allocated for a permanent Leaving Violence Programβavailable to all victims, including temporary visa holders;
At Augustine & Co., we continue to monitor budget implications for our clients and the broader migration landscape.
#FederalBudget2025 #MigrationLaw #ImmigrationUpdate #LegalInsights #AugustineAndCo
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Annual Indexation of Skilled Visa Income Thresholds β Effective 1 July 2025
From 1 July, skilled visa income thresholds will be adjusted in line with national wage growth.
This change reflects a continued focus on fair employment standards and a skilled migration system that supports, not undercuts, the Australian workforce.
At Augustine & Co., we act for corporations and individuals alikeβnavigating these updates within broader workforce and migration strategies.
#SkilledMigration #VisaUpdates #CSIT #SSIT #TSMIT #Subclass482 #Subclass186 #Subclass494 #Subclass187 #EmployerSponsorship #AustralianImmigration #MigrationLaw #AugustineAndCo #skillsindemand #SID
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π Wishing you & yours a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, & a Prosperous New Year 2025! π
From all of us at Augustine & Co., thank you for your trust and partnership throughout 2024.
Our office will be closed from 23 December 2024 and reopen on 7th January 2025. All email enquiries will be responded to in order of priority from 7 Jan onwards.
We wish you a joyous holiday season filled with celebration and meaningful moments. We look forward to continuing our journey together in the new year.
Warm regards,
The Team at Augustine & Co. Immigration Lawyers
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Look for OMARA registration with specialised experience in your visa type, transparent fee structures, and strong client testimonials. At Augustine & Co., we offer initial strategic consultations to help you understand if we’re the right fit for your needs.
Your consultation will include eligibility assessment, pathway evaluation, timeline discussion, cost estimation, and a clear next-steps plan. We’ll also identify any potential challenges and how to address them strategically.
Processing times vary significantly by visa type and individual circumstances. Our Melbourne immigration lawyers provide realistic timeframes based on current Department trends and your specific situation.
Absolutely. We specialise in visa refusal appeals and have a 90% success rate at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. We also handle Ministerial Intervention requests for cases where appeals aren’t available
A migration agent and an immigration lawyer may both be OMARA registered, but there are important distinctions in their qualifications and expertise.
Migration agents are trained and licensed to provide advice and assistance with the immigration process, including helping individuals apply for visas, submit documents, and navigate basic immigration matters. However, their scope is limited to non-legal advice.
Immigration lawyers, on the other hand, have additional legal qualifications, which enable them to represent clients in court, handle complex legal matters, and provide more comprehensive immigration law advice. Their expertise is especially valuable for managing business visas, appeals, compliance issues, and any legal disputes. Furthermore, immigration lawyers are highly skilled in handling more complex cases like permanent residency applications and partner visas, where their experience and strategic approach can significantly improve outcomes.
In essence, immigration lawyers are better equipped for complex, high-stakes immigration matters, offering a broader and more strategic range of services than migration agents
We offer both options. Many clients prefer our secure video consultations and digital document management system. However, our Melbourne CBD office is available for those who prefer face-to-face meetings.
Costs vary by visa complexity and service level required. We provide transparent, fixed-fee quotes during your initial consultation with no hidden costs.
Bring passport, qualifications, employment records, relationship evidence (if applicable), and any previous visa applications or correspondence with Home Affairs. We’ll provide a comprehensive checklist after your initial consultation.
We have expertise in all visa categories but particularly excel in skilled migration (subclass 189 and 190), partner visas (subclass 820, 801, 309 and 100), and complex cases including refusals and appeals. Our Melbourne team has specific expertise in state nomination and skilled regional visa processes too.
Our combination of proven results, technology-led service delivery, transparent communication, and specialised expertise in complex cases sets us apart. We’re not just processing applications β we’re strategically planning your long-term immigration success
Get in touch with the team at Augustine & Co. with your preliminary enquiries.Β Β