The Department of Home Affairs recently held its quarterly stakeholder meeting with the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) on 4 September 2025. This session provided valuable insights into current visa processing trends, migration program updates, and ongoing policy developments. As Australia’s migration landscape continues to evolve, these discussions are crucial for migration agents, stakeholders, and the public.
Below is a detailed summary to keep stakeholders informed.
1. Visa Processing Update
The meeting opened with an overview of visa processing timeframes across all programs, presented in a concise table:
| Visa Category | Processing Timeframe/Details |
|---|---|
| Permanent Visas | 53.42% finalized within year of lodgement |
| Temporary Visas | 97.65% finalized within year of lodgement |
| Partner Visas | Significant delays due to resourcing and limited places; MIA to escalate appropriate cases |
| Humanitarian Program | Government consulting on 2025-26 planning levels; onshore protection visa numbers reducing slowly |
| WHM Visas (Subclass 462) | Processed within 27 days; significant increase due to UKFTA |
| Visitor Visas | Processed within 1 day despite increase in applications |
| Temporary Skilled Visas | – SS stream: 19 days – CS stream: 90 calendar days – TSS legacy caseload: 5000 on hand, to be cleared by December 2025 |
| State Nominated Visas | Processing times have increased |
| Student Visas | – Offshore: Managed per Ministerial Direction 111 (priority 1: 4 weeks, priority 2: 8 weeks) – Onshore: Processing March to early April lodgements, expected to reduce during the year |
| Labour Agreements | Grown 53.4% in last year; average processing time of 4 months for all agreements |
This table reflects the Department’s ongoing efforts to manage processing demands effectively.
2. Migration Program Planning Levels
The 2025-26 Migration Program will mirror 2024-25, with 185,000 places, introducing the National Innovation Visa to replace Global Talent and Distinguished Talent allocations. The Department’s website has been updated accordingly. The Department is actively engaging with States and Territories on nomination allocations, which have not yet been finalized.
Update on Regional Migration Settings Review
The review is in the policy development phase, with Assistant Minister Hill consulting States and Territories. It confirms regional settings attract migrants successfully but highlights retention, protection, and settlement as areas needing improvement.
3. Skilled Visa Updates
- SkillSelect Visa Invitations: A round on 21 August issued 7,000 invitations (150 for Subclass 491 family-sponsored); quarterly rounds planned, with another expected before year-end.
- Significant Investor Visas (SIV): MIA raised concerns over investment company collapses affecting SIV investors; the Department holds visa holders accountable, with MIA to explore flexibility options.
- Labour Agreements and DAMAs: The Department considers State/Territory-led DAMAs, noting ILAs often offer more concessions, though SA DAMA exceeds ILA for Aged Care. A review addresses overlaps.
- Union Engagement in ILAs: MIA reported union non-engagement (e.g., Victoria); the Department requests examples for further action.
- Processing Timeframes: DAMA/ILA decided in 4 weeks if complete (extra 1-2 months if info requested); 4,285 agreements approved, over 50% DAMAs.
4. Family Visa Updates
- Child Visa Processing Delays: 22-28 months due to allocation and ART remittals; 3,000 places allocated for 2025-26, with lodgements exceeding planning levels; MIA to provide feedback.
- Unlawful Children: The Department is developing a policy/legislative solution; system changes allow baby applications without passports, with details later. MIA to clarify BVA/BVB legislative basis.
5. Temporary Visa Updates
- Student Program and ART: Lodgements down 26.4% (427,000); VAC increased 1 July 2025, with a review of short course impact. Planning level 295,000 for 2026.
- Refusals/remittals linked to hearing evidence; MIA suggests RFIs and faster error processing; the Department is exploring resources and a centralized approach.
6. Bridging Visas
Delays Update: MIA raised BVB delays; lodge 2-4 weeks before departure. A strategy prioritizes partner BVB, aiming for reduction by September end; BVA/BVC within a week. ART acknowledgment delays are being addressed with backdating.
7. National Innovation Visa
8,200 received, 225 invites issued; the Department plans a session for MIA members, with liaison to organize.
8. Pacific Engagement Visa and Falepili Treaty Stream
- Pacific Engagement: 1,000 first year, 278 this year; 129-day average.
- Treaty Stream: 280 total, delayed by infrastructure issues.
9. Update on Action Items
No change in status from the Migration Health Requirement and Significant Cost Threshold review.
10. Other Business
MIA noted repetitive child documentation requests; the Department agrees it’s unnecessary and seeks examples to check for training issues.
This meeting highlights collaborative efforts to refine Australia’s migration framework, with ongoing engagement on nomination allocations shaping future policies.
Stay updated for further developments!