
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. Itโs 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 clientsโ challenges and requirements.
As trusted immigration lawyers, we combine deep expertise in Australian immigration law with a strategic understanding of every clientโs unique challenges and goals – 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 have a track record of success with even the most complex immigration issues.
Our clients consistently rate us 5-stars for our professionalism, quality representation, value, and responsiveness.
Our team of immigration lawyers answer all of our clientsโ questions transparently and make sure they are never left in the dark.
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.
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 Australiaโs skilled migration system continues to evolve in response to national workforce demands. Among the most vital pathways is the transition from the Subclass
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:
โข Citizenship by Conferral (General Eligibility): Increasing from $560 to $575
โข Citizenship by Descent: Rising from $360 to $370 for the first sibling; subsequent siblings remain at $150
โข Citizenship by Conferral (No Test Required): Adjusting from $345 to $350
โข Evidence of Australian Citizenship: Increasing from $275 to $280
Concession fees and exemptions remain available for eligible applicants.
If youโre 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:
๐๏ธ Processing times for SC 482 SID visas have significantly increased from previous medians:
โช Specialist Skills from 7 days to 39 days
โช Core Skills from 21 days to 47 days
๐ผ 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.
๐ 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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๐ข Skilled Visa Program Update | 2024โ25 ๐ฆ๐บ
The latest numbers are in โ
๐น Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent)
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22,973 invitations issued โ already exceeding the annual cap of 16,900.
๐ Strong demand, but no guarantee of future rounds this program year.
๐น Subclass 190 (State Nominated)
๐ 9,580 nominations so far โ with over 23,000 places still available.
๐ States are moving slowly. Plenty of opportunities remain.
๐น Subclass 491 (Skilled Regional)
๐ Only 5,143 nominations out of 33,000 places.
๐ The most underutilised visa โ but could pick up sharply in coming months.
๐ก Planning your skilled migration journey? Nowโs the time to act.
๐ฉ 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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๐ Queenslandโs immigration landscape is evolving rapidly ahead of Brisbane hosting the 2032 Olympics.โ
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Discover how this event is creating new skilled migration pathways and reshaping opportunities across Queensland.โ
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๐ Link in bio for the full details.โ
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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 2025โ26 permanent migration program planning levels.
However, relevant measures include:
โข Net overseas migration projected at 225,000 from 2027;
โข Stable funding for Administrative Review Tribunal and migration-related legal matters;
โข Ongoing funding for the resettlement of non-citizens with no right to remain in Australia;
โข $925.2M allocated for a permanent Leaving Violence Programโavailable 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 โ 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 alikeโnavigating 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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๐ Wishing you & yours a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, & a Prosperous New Year 2025! ๐
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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Key updates to the Subclass 485 Graduate Visa came into effect on 14 December 2024.
Stay informed on eligibility, application charges, and study requirements to navigate these changes smoothly.
#Subclass485 #GraduateVisaUpdates #VisaChanges #AustralianImmigration #StudyInAustralia #Augustineandco
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Get in touch with the team at Augustine & Co. with your preliminary enquiries.ย ย