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🇦🇺 VICTORIA INTRODUCES A NEW POINTS SYSTEM FOR SKILLED VISA NOMINATIONS!Planning to apply for a Victorian skilled visa? ...
18/10/2026

🇦🇺 VICTORIA INTRODUCES A NEW POINTS SYSTEM FOR SKILLED VISA NOMINATIONS!

Planning to apply for a Victorian skilled visa? The new Victorian Points Test (VPT) for the 2026–27 nomination program could affect how applicants are ranked for Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 visas.

📊 The VPT considers seven key factors:
✅ Age
✅ English language proficiency
✅ Skilled work experience
✅ Educational qualifications
✅ Occupation skill level
✅ Eligible partner skills
✅ Skilled employment earnings in Victoria

💡 What could this mean for you?

Your age, English proficiency, qualifications and work experience may all influence your VPT score. However, a higher score does not guarantee an invitation. Victoria may select competitive applicants across eligible occupations and give additional consideration to designated priority industries.

📌 Important: The Victorian Points Test is separate from the federal SkillSelect points test. Understanding both systems is essential when preparing your skilled migration strategy.

🎯 Want to explore your Victorian skilled migration options?

Message Maison Chen Law Group to discuss your circumstances, understand the relevant requirements and prepare for your next steps.

📧 [email protected]
🌐 mclg.com.au
📞 +61 3 7065 1628

Follow Maison Chen Law Group for the latest Australian visa and migration updates.

General information only, not legal or migration advice. Eligibility, nomination criteria and selection priorities may change. A particular score does not guarantee state nomination or a visa invitation.

🇦🇺 ACT SKILLED MIGRATION UPDATE: 261 SUBCLASS 190 INVITATIONS ISSUED!The ACT Government has released the results of its ...
18/10/2026

🇦🇺 ACT SKILLED MIGRATION UPDATE: 261 SUBCLASS 190 INVITATIONS ISSUED!

The ACT Government has released the results of its Canberra Matrix invitation round held on 12 October 2026, with 261 invitations issued for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190). No subclass 491 invitations were issued in this round.

📊 Here are the key results:
✅ 54 invitations — Doctorate Streamlined Pathway
✅ 18 invitations — Canberra resident small business owners
✅ 126 invitations — Canberra resident critical skill occupations
✅ 63 invitations — Overseas critical skill occupations

📌 What about the scores? Selection depends on your applicant category, occupation, ranking and available nomination places. Meeting a previously published minimum score does not guarantee an invitation.

📅 The next tentative invitation rounds are scheduled for the weeks starting 25 January, 22 March and 24 May 2027. Dates may change, and the ACT’s final 2026–27 nomination allocation has not yet been announced.

💡 Planning to apply for an ACT 190 or 491 visa? Make sure your SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) and Canberra Matrix claims are accurate, current and supported by evidence.

📩 Want to explore your Australian skilled migration options? Message Maison Chen Law Group to discuss your circumstances and possible next steps.

📧 [email protected]
🌐 mclg.com.au
📞 +61 3 7065 1628

Follow Maison Chen Law Group for more Australian visa updates.

General information only; not migration or legal advice. Invitation rounds, selection criteria and nomination allocations may change. An invitation or nomination is not guaranteed.

Planning to apply for Victoria's 190 or 491 visa? Here's what the new fees mean for you. 💰On 13 October 2026, the Victor...
17/10/2026

Planning to apply for Victoria's 190 or 491 visa? Here's what the new fees mean for you. 💰

On 13 October 2026, the Victorian Government announced updates to its Skilled Visa Nomination Program for 2026-27. The 2026-27 program opening date has not yet been announced.

NEW VICTORIAN FEES (INCLUDING GST)
- Registration of Interest (ROI): $66
- Subclass 190 nomination application: $198
- Subclass 491 nomination application: $198

IMPORTANT DETAILS
- GST applies if the applicant is in Australia at the time of payment.
- Applicants outside Australia pay $60 for an ROI and $180 for a nomination application, excluding GST.
- Nomination application fees are payable only after receiving an invitation and submitting an application.
- These are Victorian Government fees, separate from Department of Home Affairs visa application charges.

WILL YOU PAY AGAIN IF YOU UPDATE YOUR ROI?
Victoria has clarified that there is one ROI fee per program year. If you submit an ROI and later withdraw it, you can submit another ROI during the same program year without paying the ROI fee again. However, the fee applies to the relevant program year, the nomination application fee is separate, and an ROI does not guarantee an invitation.

UPDATED INVITATION SELECTION GUIDANCE
Victoria has published more information about how applicants will be ranked for nomination invitations, including the Victorian Points Test, priority industries and additional industry factors. Meeting minimum visa requirements does not guarantee nomination, so applicants are encouraged to review the Victorian Points Test before submitting an ROI.

SUBMITTED AN ROI IN A PREVIOUS YEAR?
You will need to submit a new ROI for 2026-27. Previous ROIs will not automatically carry over to the new program year.

What should you do?
1. Review your SkillSelect EOI.
2. Check that your points and employment details are accurate.
3. Review Victoria's updated selection criteria.
4. Submit a new ROI through the Live in Melbourne portal when the program opens.

Want to prepare your Victorian skilled migration application? Follow Maison Chen Law Group for Australian visa updates and message us for professional guidance.

General information only, not legal advice. Fees, selection criteria, program dates and eligibility requirements may vary and are subject to change.

Looking for work in Australia? 🇦🇺 Three of the country's best-known employers are recruiting.Coles, Woolworths and Bunni...
17/10/2026

Looking for work in Australia? 🇦🇺 Three of the country's best-known employers are recruiting.

Coles, Woolworths and Bunnings have opportunities across their retail and operations networks, from entry-level roles to team leadership.

COLES
Supermarkets, customer fulfilment and distribution. Roles include supermarket team member, customer service assistant, online personal shopper, checkout operator, grocery replenishment assistant, bakery team member and team leader.

WOOLWORTHS
Grocery retail, online orders and store operations. Roles include store team member, online personal shopper, nightfill team member, fresh produce assistant, checkout assistant, trolley collection worker and department supervisor.

BUNNINGS
Hardware retail, trade centres and logistics. Roles include retail team member, customer service assistant, garden centre assistant, stock replenishment assistant, hardware sales assistant, trade centre assistant and store supervisor.

INDICATIVE HOURLY SALARY
- Most team member and assistant roles: $27.81 to $28.89
- Bakery team member, garden centre assistant and hardware sales assistant: up to $29.45
- Trade centre assistant: up to $30.66
- Team leader, department supervisor and store supervisor: $29.45 to $33.99

These figures are indicative only. Check each listing for the actual salary.

WHERE TO FIND THE JOBS
1. Coles: colescareers.com.au
2. Woolworths: careers.woolworthsgroup.com.au
3. Bunnings: bunnings.com.au/jobs

Tip: filter vacancies by state, location and employment type.

HOW TO APPLY
Step 1: Search for suitable vacancies on each company's official careers website.
Step 2: Prepare an Australian-style resume highlighting your relevant experience, skills and qualifications.
Step 3: Review the employment requirements, including licences, availability, skills and Australian work rights.
Step 4: Submit your online application and upload the required documents.
Step 5: Prepare for an interview. If shortlisted, you may also need to complete an assessment or reference check.

IMPORTANT
Applicants must meet each employer's requirements and have appropriate Australian work rights. These opportunities do not automatically include visa sponsorship.

Whether you're already living in Australia or exploring overseas opportunities, understanding your employment eligibility and visa options matters.

Looking for a pathway to work in Australia? Follow and message Maison Chen Law Group for guidance on your Australian visa options.

General information only, not legal advice. Salaries, job availability, work rights requirements and eligibility may vary and are subject to change.

Waiting on a Working Holiday visa? Here's why it may be taking longer. ✈️ABC News reported that delays in first-year Wor...
16/10/2026

Waiting on a Working Holiday visa? Here's why it may be taking longer. ✈️

ABC News reported that delays in first-year Working Holiday Maker visa processing have disrupted plans for some overseas applicants.

WHAT APPLICANTS HAVE EXPERIENCED
- Delayed travel arrangements
- Lost employment or placement opportunities
- Uncertainty about arrival dates
- Additional financial pressure

The report highlighted au pair applicants whose planned placements with Australian families had been affected.

WHAT HOME AFFAIRS SAYS
According to the Department of Home Affairs, processing priorities introduced in July 2026 have affected first-year Working Holiday Maker applications. The Department stated it is managing first-year applications towards an average processing time of approximately three months, and that second and third-year applications are being prioritised.

Three months is an average processing objective, not a guaranteed decision timeframe.

WHICH VISAS ARE RELEVANT?
- Subclass 417, Working Holiday visa: available to eligible passport holders from specified countries and jurisdictions.
- Subclass 462, Work and Holiday visa: available to eligible applicants from specified countries, subject to additional requirements.

Both allow eligible young adults to travel and undertake permitted work in Australia. Eligibility and processing arrangements vary.

WHAT TO DO WHILE YOU WAIT
1. Check your ImmiAccount for updates and requests for documents.
2. Respond to requests promptly with complete and accurate information.
3. Avoid non-refundable commitments. Home Affairs recommends waiting for a visa grant before booking travel or making firm work commitments.
4. Allow additional planning time in case of processing delays.
5. Check official processing guidance. Published processing times are indicative and may change.

Planning a Working Holiday in Australia? Make sure you understand the requirements before making commitments. 🇦🇺

Have questions about your Australian visa options? Follow and message Maison Chen Law Group for guidance.

General information only, not legal advice. Processing times, eligibility requirements and outcomes may vary and are subject to change.

Is your visa adviser giving you advice or false hope? 🤔Australia is looking at tougher oversight of migration profession...
16/10/2026

Is your visa adviser giving you advice or false hope? 🤔

Australia is looking at tougher oversight of migration professionals. Here's what applicants should know.

What's being proposed
The Australian Government has outlined plans to strengthen oversight of migration professionals involved in applications with little or no reasonable prospect of success. The proposals target conduct including:
- Lodging claims without a genuine factual or legal basis
- Providing false or misleading information
- Charging excessive fees for unsuitable services
- Encouraging applicants to pursue baseless visa claims

The focus is on professional conduct, not banning legitimate visa applications or reviews.

What changes are being considered?
According to ABC News, the government is considering:
- Stronger migration agent rules: prohibiting registered agents from assisting with applications they know, or reasonably should know, lack a factual or legal basis.
- Greater scrutiny of migration lawyers: options to address regulatory gaps involving legal practitioners handling migration matters.
- Action against unlawful operators: a dedicated taskforce is investigating people allegedly offering migration assistance without appropriate authorisation.

These proposed regulatory changes are not all in force.

Why it matters to applicants
Poor or misleading advice can lead to unnecessary expenses, incorrect or unsupported visa claims, missed deadlines, refusals and complications for future applications, and false expectations about remaining in Australia. A difficult case is not automatically a baseless case, and genuine applicants continue to have applicable legal and review rights.

How to protect yourself
1. Check their credentials. Confirm they're a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner authorised to provide immigration assistance.
2. Ask about eligibility. Understand the requirements and potential difficulties.
3. Request clear information about fees. Review the scope of services and costs.
4. Avoid guaranteed visa promises. No adviser can guarantee that Home Affairs will grant a visa.
5. Keep accurate records. Make sure the information and evidence in your application are genuine.

A migration strategy should be based on genuine eligibility and reliable evidence. ✅

Need assistance with an Australian visa application? Follow and message Maison Chen Law Group for professional guidance.

General information only, not legal advice. Proposed regulatory changes, requirements and outcomes may vary and are subject to change.

The slides don't give a date for the ABC News report, so the caption says only "according to ABC News" with no date. Add one if you want it. I also kept the proposals labelled as proposals, since the last slide says they're not all in force.

16/10/2026

Tips for VIC nomination!
For those who want to get in contact with us, send us an email at [email protected] or call us on +61370651628

DISCLAIMER: This disclaimer applies to all social media posts from Maison Chen Law Group and its associated entities. Content in these posts does not constitute immigration or legal advice, is not intended as a substitute for such advice and must not be relied upon as such. The material is designed to provide an informative guideline (current at the time of publication and subject to changes) for general informational purposes only. Please consult an Australian MARA registered agent or Australian Lawyer for professional advice before you make any type of application.

Planning to bring your parents to Australia? Read this first. 👨‍👩‍👧Australia's announced Visitor visa restrictions are w...
15/10/2026

Planning to bring your parents to Australia? Read this first. 👨‍👩‍👧

Australia's announced Visitor visa restrictions are worrying migrant families with ageing parents overseas. Here's what the carousel covers.

What's behind the worry
SBS News reported that families are concerned about the government's plan to expand the use of the No Further Stay condition. They fear it could make it harder for parents to apply for another visa while visiting Australia. The announcement does not mean every Visitor visa currently carries this condition.

What is the No Further Stay condition?
Condition 8503 generally prevents a visa holder from applying for another substantive visa while in Australia, apart from limited exceptions. If it's attached:
- You generally can't apply for another substantive visa onshore.
- You may need to leave Australia to lodge another eligible application.
- A waiver may be available only in limited circumstances.

The condition is already part of Australia's migration system. The announcement concerns its wider application.

Why parents are particularly affected
Parent visa queues are already long. According to SBS News, estimated processing times include:
- Contributory Parent visas: approximately 18 years
- Certain non-contributory Parent visas: more than 40 years

Some families have relied on eligible onshore pathways while waiting, and broader restrictions could reduce those options for future applicants. These figures are estimates reported in October 2026, not guaranteed individual processing times.

What to check before applying
1. Visitor visa conditions: check whether condition 8503 applies.
2. Parent visa eligibility: different subclasses have different application and location requirements.
3. Visa validity and stay period: a Visitor visa doesn't automatically give permission to remain while another visa is processed.
4. Announced versus current rules: confirm whether any new restriction has formally commenced before making immigration plans.

Unsure which visa options may be available to your family? Follow and message Maison Chen Law Group for guidance.

General information only, not legal advice. Visa conditions, processing times and eligibility requirements may vary and are subject to change.

Can an abusive partner cancel your visa?No. A partner or sponsor can't personally cancel your visa. Under Australian mig...
15/10/2026

Can an abusive partner cancel your visa?

No. A partner or sponsor can't personally cancel your visa. Under Australian migration law, cancellation decisions are made by the Minister or an authorised delegate. A sponsor may be able to withdraw sponsorship from a pending application, but that doesn't necessarily mean the application will be refused.

Family violence protections
Eligible Partner visa applicants may still qualify for a permanent visa if their relationship ends because of family violence. These provisions may apply to applicants connected with:
- Subclass 820, Temporary Partner visa
- Subclass 309, Provisional Partner visa
- Subclass 300, Prospective Marriage visa

Specific eligibility, location and evidence requirements apply. Experiencing family violence does not automatically mean you must leave Australia.

In the news
On 12 October 2026, ABC News reported concerns from legal and domestic violence advocates about the potential impact of stricter migration policies on vulnerable migrants. Advocates warned that immigration-related uncertainty can be used by perpetrators as a form of control. These are concerns raised by advocates, not proof that the proposed policies have already taken effect.

If you're experiencing family violence
1. Prioritise your safety. Seek emergency help if you're in immediate danger.
2. Keep your passport and immigration records secure, where it's safe to do so.
3. Seek confidential migration advice to understand your visa status and available protections.
4. Contact support services. 1800RESPECT offers free, confidential support on 1800 737 732. Call 000 in an emergency.

Your safety matters, regardless of your visa status. 💜

Need confidential guidance about your visa options? Follow and message Maison Chen Law Group.

General information only, not legal advice. Eligibility, evidence requirements and outcomes may vary and are subject to change.

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