
Subclass 190 vs. 491: The 2026 Strategic Audit
Which State Nomination Pathway Actually Delivers PR? In 2026, the Australian migration landscape has moved beyond “being eligible.” It is now a game of surgical
Trust and confidence are why thousands of individuals, families and businesses choose Augustine & Co. to help bring their Australian dreams to life.
Every situation is different, and our role is to make your immigration journey as smooth and stress-free as possible. From visa applications and sponsorships through to complex immigration matters, our Melbourne immigration lawyers provide clear guidance, tailored strategies and the reassurance you need at every step.
With Augustine & Co., you gain more than legal advice. You gain a trusted partner who is committed to your success. We take the time to listen, understand your goals and reduce the pressure that can come with the process. Every step we take is designed to protect your future and give you the strongest chance of a positive outcome.
Our clients’ results and reviews speak for themselves. Your Australian dream may be closer than you think, and we are here to help you achieve it.
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 clients’ 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 migration 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 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

Which State Nomination Pathway Actually Delivers PR? In 2026, the Australian migration landscape has moved beyond “being eligible.” It is now a game of surgical

He had been granted a Class GG subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa and had completed an Australian Travel Declaration as to a medical exemption from a Covid-19 vaccination. This medical exemption had been supplied to the Department of Immigration by Tennis Australia . . .

He had been granted a Class GG subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa and had completed an Australian Travel Declaration as to a medical exemption from a Covid-19 vaccination. This medical exemption had been supplied to the Department of Immigration by Tennis Australia . . .
🚨 Major Update!
Planning to apply for the Subclass 407 Training visa? There is an important new rule you need to know.
Applicants can now lodge a Subclass 407 Visa application only after the employer’s Sponsorship and Nomination have been approved. This means, onshore applicants whose visas are nearing expiry can no longer apply for the Visa and remain in Australia while waiting for the Sponsorship and Nomination to be approved.
Understanding this change is crucial to avoid delays or complications with your visa application.
👉 Thinking of applying?
If you are considering this visa or believe you may be impacted by the changes, book a tailored consultation with our immigration lawyers and migration consultants to plan your next steps.
Link in our bio.
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Australian State Nomination Updates – Feb 2026
Invitation rounds are well underway across South Australia, ACT, and Tasmania for Subclass 190 & 491 visas, with more rounds scheduled in the coming months!
At Augustine & Co. Immigration Lawyers, we specialise in Australian skilled migration visa pathways. With years of experience guiding clients through complex visa processes, we provide tailored advice to help you maximise your chances of success and stay up-to-date with the latest program changes.
👉 Thinking of applying or waiting for an invite?
Book a tailored consultation with our immigration lawyers and migration consultants to plan your next steps. Link in our bio.
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A new year brings new decisions — and for many, immigration challenges where the path ahead is not immediately clear.
At Augustine & Co. Immigration Lawyers, we approach immigration law as a strategic discipline, not a procedural exercise. We are frequently engaged in complex, high-stakes matters that require careful judgement, depth of analysis, and an understanding of how law, discretion, and risk intersect — cases few are willing to take on.
Across complex family and partner visa matters to permanent residency, corporate migration, citizenship, and matters involving prior refusals or heightened risks, our focus is on clarity, foresight, and carefully calibrated decision-making — not assumptions or shortcuts.
Trusted globally for strategic advice in Australian immigration law, particularly where the stakes are high and the path forward is not always clear.
𝙇𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙔𝙊𝙐𝙍 𝘼𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢.
🔗 Schedule a consultation tailored to your case via the link in our bio.
#AustralianImmigrationLaw #ImmigrationLawyers #ComplexVisaCases #VisaStrategy #PermanentResidencyAustralia
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Warmest wishes to our valued clients and partners for a very Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year ahead! ✨✨
Thank you for your continued trust and the opportunity to support you throughout the year.
🎄 Office Closure:
Our office will be closed from 23 December 2025 and will reopen on 5 January 2026.
Urgent or time-sensitive matters may be emailed to [email protected] and will be attended to as a priority upon our return.
We look forward to continuing to serve you in 2026 and beyond.
💡Lighting the way to YOUR Australian dream.
Augustine & Co.
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We are pleased to announce that Augustine & Co. Immigration Lawyers has recently secured Global Talent (subclass 858) visas for a distinguished couple whose achievements reflect excellence in both their professional and sporting pursuits.
Earlier this year, they represented Australia at the Kickboxing World Cup in Thailand, each competing in two divisions and each securing gold medals 🥇🥇.
• Ronan fought in the –84kg and –89kg categories, competing against athletes from India, Nepal, and Iraq.
• Lauren fought in the –65kg and –70kg categories, competing against athletes from Thailand, Vietnam, and Denmark.
With their sights now set on the World Kickboxing Championships in Abu Dhabi this November, their success embodies the very essence of the Global Talent program — recognising individuals of exceptional calibre who contribute to Australia’s future.
⚖️ It is important to note that the Global Talent visa has now closed to new applications. From 6 December 2024, it has been replaced by the National Innovation visa (subclass 858), which continues to provide a pathway for individuals of exceptional international standing.
At Augustine & Co., we reaffirm our position as a trusted leader in Australian immigration law — delivering clarity, advocacy, and results across the most complex and competitive visa programs.
#AugustineAndCo #ImmigrationLaw #GlobalTalentVisa #NationalInnovationVisa #niv #visagranted #worldchampions #worldchampionships #kickboxingaustralia
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🚨 National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) Update
State nominations are officially open in NSW, South Australia & Victoria for FY2025–26.
If you’re a globally accomplished professional — researcher, innovator, entrepreneur, or creative — this could be your direct pathway to permanent residency in Australia.
Each state has unique nomination streams, but all demand excellence, impact, and global recognition.
📍 NSW – 5 clear pathways | EOI-based | Independent validation
📍 SA – Open globally | 5 talent streams | Offshore & onshore welcome
📍 VIC – For those already engaged or referred by state departments
At Augustine & Co. Immigration Lawyers, we provide strategic legal advice to help you build a strong EOI and state nomination case.
👉 Book a consult today: https://augustineandco.com/book-a-consult/
📩 [email protected]
#AugustineAndCo #Subclass858 #NationalInnovationVisa #GlobalTalentAustralia #SkilledMigration #NSWNomination #VictoriaVisa #SouthAustraliaNomination #EOIProcess #PermanentResidencyAustralia #ImmigrationLawyersAustralia #AustraliaPR #InnovatorsInAustralia #LightingTheWayToYourAustralianDream
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🧭 New Financial Year. Same Mission. Sharper Vision.
At Augustine & Co., we start FY25–26 with what matters most — clear strategy, honest advice, and real results.
This year brings key migration updates now in effect:
🔹 VAC increases across major visa subclasses
🔹 Higher income thresholds for employer-sponsored visas
🔹 State nominations paused pending allocations
🔹 No changes to skilled occupation lists
🔹 AITSL to ACECQA switch for Early Childhood Teacher assessments
🔹 SC191 clarification: visa condition 8579 compliance matters — not a fixed residency period
Whether it’s skilled migration, partner visas or complex appeals — we don’t follow trends. We shape pathways.
Let’s 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:
• Citizenship by Conferral (General Eligibility): Increasing from $560 to $575
• Citizenship by Descent: Rising from $360 to $370 for the first sibling; subsequent siblings remain at $150
• Citizenship by Conferral (No Test Required): Adjusting from $345 to $350
• Evidence of Australian Citizenship: Increasing from $275 to $280
Concession fees and exemptions remain available for eligible applicants.
If you’re 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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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
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.
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 – we’re strategically planning your long-term immigration success
Need expert legal guidance? We make it easy to get in touch. Reach out through any of the convenient options below.
Level 11/456 Lonsdale Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia
(Office meetings are by appointment only)
(03) 7020 6514
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM