South Australia in the UK – October Roadshow!

A great opportunity for UK trades and professionals considering a new life in Australia. This month, the South Australian Government, in partnership with local business and industry, is bringing the Move to South Australia Roadshow to the #UK.

If you’ve been thinking about a #career move that blends professional growth, lifestyle balance, and long-term opportunities for you and your family, South Australia could be your next destination.

The Roadshow will be visiting #London, #Wales, #Birmingham, #Manchester, and #Glasgow, giving you the chance to meet directly with South Australian employers actively seeking skilled professionals, as well as organisations that can guide and support your migration journey.

This is your chance to take the first step towards #living, #working, and thriving in South Australia – don’t miss it!

Event dates and locations

London – Saturday, 11 October
Newport (Wales) – Sunday, 12 October
Birmingham – Tuesday, 14 October
Manchester – Thursday, 16 October
Glasgow – Saturday, 18 October

To learn more contact us or register 

Australia’s 2025–26 Permanent Migration Program to remain at 185,000

Updated: 2 September 2025 (AEST)

The Federal Government has confirmed the 2025–26 Permanent Migration Program will stay at 185,000 places, consistent with 2024–25. Media reports attribute the announcement to the Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke MP, following consultations with states and territories and a continued focus on skilled migration.

The 2025–26 page update is pending. Immigration and citizenship Website

What this means

  • Continuity: With the headline planning level unchanged, we expect continuity in visa processing priorities and program delivery settings seen in 2024–25 (e.g., emphasis on employer-sponsored, regional and state nomination categories). (Inference based on the unchanged headline figure and 2024–25 settings; official 2025–26 composition is TBC.) Immigration and citizenship Website

  • Skilled focus: Government messaging indicates an ongoing focus on skilled migration to address workforce needs.

Key points at a glance

  • Total places: 185,000 (confirmed for 2025–26). News.com.auThe Guardian

  • Minister: The Hon Tony Burke MP, Minister for Home Affairs (portfolio confirmation). Home Affairs Ministers+1

  • Department site status: 2025–26 detail not yet published; 2024–25 remains visible with Skill ~71% / Family ~28% for reference. Immigration and citizenship Website

  • Context: Earlier industry statements Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) had already flagged no apparent reduction from 185,000 for 2025–26. MIA

Practical next steps for applicants and employers

  • Skilled applicants: Keep documents current (skills assessment, English, work evidence). If you’re competitive under employer sponsorship or state nomination, prepare early. (Guidance based on 2024–25 priorities.) Immigration and citizenship Website

  • Employers: Workforce planning can assume stable permanent planning levels; continue preparing nominations and labour market testing in line with current policy. (Inference pending 2025–26 category allocations.) Immigration and citizenship Website

Important note

Official stream-by-stream allocations for 2025–26 are expected to be published by the Department of Home Affairs. We’ll update this page once the Department releases the detailed breakdown. In the meantime, refer to the 2024–25 planning table for orientation only. Immigration and citizenship Website

Need tailored advice?

This update is general information only and not legal advice. Thames Migration namely Mr Hannibal Khoury is a Member of the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA)  MIA

For advice specific to your circumstances, book a consultation with our Registered Migration Agent.

New Citizenship application fees 1 July 2025 

The Department of Home Affairs has advised, via the ImmiAccount login page, that new citizenship application fees will apply from 1 July 2025.

The Department has not published the updated citizenship application fees on its website. Citizenship application fees are typically indexed annually on 1 July in line with changes to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Online Applications

Any application submitted online on or after 1 July 2025 will be subject to the new fees. ImmiAccount will automatically calculate the correct fee at the time of submission, regardless of when the application was commenced. An application is considered to be ‘received’ on the date the Department receives it and the relevant fee is linked.

Paper Applications

Any paper application received on or after 1 July 2025 will incur the new fee.

To learn more about your eligibility for Australian Citizenship, contact Thames Migration for a free eligibility assessment.

New Feature: Import Paper-Based Parent Visa Applications into ImmiAccount

Starting 2 April 2025, the Department of Home Affairs has introduced a new online feature to assist Parent visa applicants.

Although applications must still be submitted using a paper form, acknowledged Parent visa applications can now be imported into ImmiAccount, offering the following benefits:

  • Upload additional documents

  • View correspondence from the Department

  • Update applicant details

  • Check the status of your application

This feature is available for both newly lodged and existing applications, regardless of submission date. However, please note that Parent (subclass 103) visa applications submitted before November 2018 cannot be imported into ImmiAccount.

To learn more about this process and for a detailed step-by-step guide on how to import applications, contact our staff on 02089960120 or via email info@thamesmigration.com 

Increased skilled visa income thresholds from 1 July 2025

From 1 July 2025, skilled visa income thresholds will be increased by 4.6%. This is in line with changes to the annual Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE).

The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) will increase from AUD73,150 to AUD76,515. This will impact nomination applications for the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) and the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186).

The Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) will increase from AUD135,000 to AUD141,210. This will impact nomination applications for the Specialist Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482).

The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT)  will increase from AUD73,150 to AUD76,515. This will impact nomination applications lodged for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) and the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) (subclass 187). This is in line with the CSIT and subject to approval of relevant legislation.

New nomination applications from 1 July 2025, must meet the new relevant income threshold or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher. The increased skilled visa income thresholds will not apply to existing visa holders and nominations lodged before 1 July 2025.

To learn more, contact Thames Migration in the United Kingdom on 02089960120 or in Australia on 1300 799 877 or via email at info@thamesmigration.com

Skills In Demand (SID) – Core Skills Occupation List Announced

Today, the Australian Government announced the release of the new Core Skills Occupation List (“CSOL”).

The newly minted CSOL is a single, consolidated list of roles. This list of occupations was the result of extensive labour market analysis and stakeholder consultations, carried out by Jobs and Skills Australia to replace the out-of-date occupation list under the temporary skilled visa program.

The government’s announcement of CSOL’s release has come just in time for the new Skills in Demand visa, which is set to replace the Temporary Skill Shortage (or “Subclass 482”) visa on 7 December 2024. The occupations listed on the new CSOL will apply to the Core Skills stream of the new Skills in Demand visa and will also be applied to the Direct Entry stream of the Employer Nominated Scheme (”Subclass 186″) visa.

More details on other reform taking place on 7 December 2024, including the Skills in Demand visa and National Innovation visa, will be announced shortly.

Source https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/archive/article?itemId=1269

Festive season office closure

As the holiday season approaches, we’d like to inform you that our office will be closed from Friday 20th December 2024 to Monday 6th January 2025. We will reopen and resume regular business hours on Monday 6th January 2025.

During this period, our team will be taking a well-deserved break to celebrate the season with loved ones, and we look forward to returning refreshed and ready for an exciting new year ahead!

We wish you and yours a joyous holiday season and a Happy New Year!

 

 

Skills In Demand and National Innovation Visa (NIV) Update

An update from the Australian Department of Home Affairs has referred to the Skills in Demand (SID) visa and the National Innovation visa (NIV) and highlighted the following points:

Skills in Demand visa Subclass 482

  • Temporary skilled worker visa with up to 4 years validity
  • Clear pathway to permanent residence
  • Will have 3 streams – Specialist Skills, Core Skills and Labour Agreements
    • Specialist Skills stream: Will be for highly skilled migrants earning at least $135,000 in any occupation except trades workers, machinery operators, drivers and labourers
    • Core Skills stream: Will be for skilled employees and there will be a new Core Skills occupation List and a Core Skills Income Threshold
    • Labour Agreement stream: The TSS Labour Agreement stream will be renamed the Skills in Demand Labour Agreement stream
  • Work experience requirement reduced to one year
  • As the TSS visa will be replaced by the SID visa existing short-term and medium-term streams of the TSS visa will close to new applications.
  • The Department are currently working on this, and it will commence in 2024 before the end of the year.

National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858)

  • Will replace the Global Talent visa but remain a Sc 858 visa
  • Will have a place for a broad range of high calibre talent with a diversity of backgrounds such as :
    • Global researchers and thought leader e.g. published in leading journals, high levels of publications and citations, recipients of top of field awards
    • Entrepreneurs both established and emerging with lessons taken from successful State and Territory led initiatives
    • Innovative Investors with a focus on the quality of investment, not simple thresholds
    • Athletes and creatives particularly those that represent Australia internationally
  •  Applications will be by invitation only and the EOI process will more closely reflect that of other invitation only visas.
  • The Department are currently working on this, and it will commence in 2024 before the end of the year.

To learn more about these vis updates and your eligibility, contact Thames Migration today or complete our Free online eligibility assessment.