Visa Lounge Australia

13/02/2026

12/12/2025

Far North DAMA – and

The Cairns Chamber of Commerce has advised that it has recently received a number of enquiries regarding whether Labour Market Testing (LMT) is required for the ENS 186 visa option.

These questions have arisen because FNQ DAMA labour agreements only require evidence of LMT for the SID 482 and SESR 494 visa options, yet in some instances the Department of Home Affairs has requested evidence of LMT at the ENS nomination stage.

Following communication between the Cairns Chamber of Commerce and the Department's Labour Agreement Section, the following updated advice has now been provided:

While LMT is not a legislative requirement for occupations or positions seeking the ENS 186 option, it remains policy that both the Designated Area Representative (DAR) and the Department of Home Affairs may request evidence of labour market testing.

This may be sought to determine whether the employer has made genuine efforts to recruit Australians, whether the position is genuinely needed and consistent with DAMA objectives to address regional skill shortages, and whether the request aligns with program integrity and compliance with Labour Agreement conditions.

Source: Migration Institute of Australia

For any assistance with DAMA applications, please fill out the below contact form or contact directly Visa Lounge Australia on [email protected] or 0734730504.

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07/11/2025

**State Updates **

**NSW Skilled migration allocations

The NSW Government has confirmed that it has received its skilled migration allocation for the 2025-26 program year.

NSW has been allocated 3600 places, divided as follows:

2100 places for the Skilled Nominated (Sc 190) visa
1500 places for the Skilled Work Regional (Sc 491) visa

**ACT Skilled migration allocations

The ACT Government has confirmed that it has received its skilled migration allocation for the 2025-26 program year.

The ACT has been allocated 1600 places, divided as follows:

800 places for the Skilled Nominated (Sc 190) visa
800 places for the Skilled Work regional (Sc 491) visa

The ACT Government is in the process of scheduling its next invitation round, this information will be displayed on the ACT website once it is finalised.

**WA interim skilled migration allocations

The WA Government has not yet announced its final skilled migration allocation for the 2025-26 program year but has advised that it has been provided with an additional interim allocation which will be used to conduct a November invitation round.

The number of places provided as part of the interim allocation has not been released.

**Tasmania skilled migration allocation

The Tasmanian Government has confirmed its final allocation for the 2025-26 program year.

Tasmania has been allocated 1850 places, divided as follows:

1200 places for the Skilled Nominated (Sc 190) visa
650 places for the Skilled Work regional (Sc 491) visa

Migration Tasmania has commenced weekly nomination invitation rounds.

Migration Tasmania will publish weekly updates on the number of ROIs invited, lowest scores, nomination places available and Registrations of Interest (ROIs) on hand on its website.

The final allocation for Tasmania is expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

**South Australia interim skilled migration allocation

The South Australian government has not yet announced its final migration allocation for the 2025-26 program year but has advised that it has been provided with an additional interim allocation. The number of places provided to South Australia as part of the interim allocation has not been released.

The South Australian Government will continue to invite applicant's that contribute to the state's workforce requirements, including the ROIs that were submitted in the 2024-25 program year.

**Victoria, Queensland and Northern Territory skilled migration allocations not updated

Victoria, Queensland and the Northern Territory have not yet released details of their final or interim skilled migration allocations.

23/10/2025

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15/09/2025

Read our newest article on the updated 482 English language requirements. Contact us on 07 34730504 or [email protected] if you need assistance with your sponsorship applications.

Discover the updated 482 English language requirements, acceptable tests and scores. Stay informed for a successful visa application.

11/09/2025

New English Language Test Providers and Scores for SID 482 visa commencing on 13 September 2025

The following additional language test providers have been added:

* Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General)
* LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUAGECERT Academic);
* Michigan English Test (MET)

To improve clarity the legislation now refers to both IELTS General Training and Academic, Cambridge English Advanced test (CAE) is now Cambridge Advanced Test (C1 advanced.

The new requirements commence on 13 September 2025 and apply to a Sc 482 visa application lodged on or after 13 September 2025.

The instrument has transitional or saving provisions where the English language test was conducted before 13 September 2025.

Therefore, there are two sets of required English language test scores and relevant providers depending on whether the English test was conducted before 13 September 2025 or on or after 13 September 2025.

Visa Lounge Australia
[email protected]
07 3473 0504

05/08/2025

The Albanese Government is today announcing a National Planning Level of 295,000 international student places for 2026, providing stability and certainty for the international education sector.

The 2026 National Planning Level manages growth in international education in a sustainable way, with 25,000 additional places compared to 2025.

All active international education providers will receive at least their current allocation next year.

The Albanese Government is today announcing a National Planning Level of 295,000 international student places for 2026, providing stability and certainty for the international education sector.The 2026 National Planning Level manages growth in international education in a sustainable way, with 25,00...

16/07/2025

Skilled and Business Migration SA has announced that South Australia’s two Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) have been extended until 30 June 2026.

Here is what has been announced:

The current list of occupations eligible to be nominated under the SA DAMAs remains unchanged.

The following concessions are also still available under the SA DAMAs:

- age concession of up to 55 years;
- 10% reduction to the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT); and
- English and work experience concessions.

The pathway to permanent residency for Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa holders has been reduced to two years.

These applicants can now apply for a Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa after holding the Subclass 482 SID visa for a period of two years.

From 1 July 2025, occupations listed in specific Industry Labour can no longer be utilised under the South Australian DAMA program if the occupation is also available in an Industry Labour Agreement.

As an example, this will affect Aged Care providers, who will be unable to access certain occupations under the South Australian DAMA program.

Instead, they will need to apply under the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement (ACILA) or alternative programs, such as the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.

The South Australian Government plans to negotiate a new five-year statewide DAMA with the Commonwealth Government in 2025–26.

27/06/2025

VETASSESS has now been confirmed as the Skills Assessing Authority for the occupations listed below.

VETASSESS have advised that they should have these occupations added to their online menu within the next two weeks, to be able to lodge skills assessment applications.

The FNQ DAMA Occupation and Concessions List in the Chamber’s website has just been updated to reflect this.

The last few remaining new occupations to have Skills Assessing Authorities confirmed will be announced as soon as known.

Note: Skills assessments for individuals are not required in order to make a request for endorsement to the Cairns Chamber of Commerce to access the FNQ DAMA, nor to make a request for an FNQ DAMA Labour Agreement.

05/06/2025

NSW Business and Skilled Migration has announced that it has reached its nomination allocation for the Subclass 190 Skilled (Nominated) visa for the 2024–25 program year.

As a result, no further invitations will be issued for the Subclass 190 visa until a new allocation is provided to NSW by the Australian Government at the start of the 2025–26 program year.

It also expects to issue invitations for the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa – Pathway 2 before the end of this week.

NSW Business and Skilled Migration has advised that to be considered, please ensure that your Expression of Interest (EOI) is accurate and up-to-date.

02/06/2025

Skilled & Business Migration SA has announced that Registration of Interest (ROI) applications for onshore applicants have closed for the 2024-2025 program year.

Any ROIs that have been started but not yet submitted will be deleted.

All submitted ROIs will be processed by 30 June 2025. Applicants who receive an invitation to apply for SA state nomination are advised to submit their state nomination application as soon as possible.

Applicants who do not receive an invitation to apply for SA state nomination in the 2024-25 program year can submit another ROI when applications reopen for the 2025-26 year.

Offshore applicants can continue to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for consideration and, if successful, will be directly invited to apply for South Australian state nomination.

You can access this announcement here:

South Australia’s skilled migration Registration of Interest (ROI) applications for onshore applicants have closed for the 2024-2025 program year. Please note that ROIs in the online system that have been started but not yet been submitted will be deleted. All submitted ROIs will be processed by 3...

27/05/2025

Queensland closed its 2024-25 skilled State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP) on May 27 2025.

Registrations of Interest (ROIs) for the onshore, graduates, offshore and regional small business owners pathways are now closed.

Migration Queensland will continue to assess the applications currently under assessment until all nominations are completed. Queensland ROIs for second-stage business visas (subclass 888) nominations remain open.

Migration Queensland will publish details of the 2025-26 program when available.