Welcome to the May 2025 edition of Australian Immigration News from Work Visa Lawyers! In this blog, we will cover the following topics:

• What is expected from the Australian Federal Election results?

• Which states are still open this financial year for the 190 and 491 Visas?

• When will the next 189 invitation round happen?

• Increase in Student and Training Visa refusals

• Minimum salary for sponsorship increasing

• Visa application fees increasing

• 188 Business Visa extension

• Visa processing times

Visa Grants and Invitations

Before we begin with the news, we’d like to share some recent visa grants and invitations:

Visa grants:

• 482 visas granted for Cooks, Chefs, Diesel Motor Mechanics, Motor Mechanics, and Occupational Health and Safety Adviser

• 186 visas granted under both Transition Pathway and Direct Entry

• DAMA visa issued in agriculture for a Production Horticulturist

• 408 Temporary Activity visas granted for entertainment industry applicants

• Global Talent visa grant

South Australian state nominations:

• Registered Nurse – 65 points, 491 visa

• ICT Customer Support Officer – 75 points, 190 visa

• Chef in regional SA – 70 points, 491 visa

Federal Election: What Does It Mean for Immigration?

Anthony Albanese was re-elected on 5 May, and with this result, we expect the Migration Strategy announced by Labor in December 2023 to continue. This includes proposed reforms to the points test for the 189, 190, and 491 visas, as well as potential changes in regional migration.

I’ve posted a full video discussing the federal election results — Please check the video on our YouTube channel. 

The Prime Minister has also announced the composition of his new ministry, with no major changes in the Immigration and Citizenship portfolio:

Tony Burke MP remains the Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Immigration and Citizenship.

Next 189 Invitation Round

Many people are asking when the next 189 invitation round will take place. We believe it may be around August or September, as we’re nearing the end of the financial year. 

The last round was in November 2024, when the government issued 15,000 invitations for the 189 visa.

190 and 491 Visa Updates

With the financial year ending in June 30, here’s a summary of the current state nomination status:

Victoria: Closed

Northern Territory: Partially closed (only accepting onshore applicants with visas expiring before 1 July 2025)

Tasmania: Partially closed

491 Overseas (Job Offer) pathway: Closed

190 Health Sector pathway: Open

From 5:00 PM on Monday, 19 May 2025, ROIs will only be accepted from candidates who have been allocated a Gold Pass

New South Wales: Partially closed

Pathway 1 for the 491 visa (employer sponsorship) is closed

Other 190 and 491 pathways remain open

Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and ACT: Still open

If you are not receiving an invitation, look into other visa options like the 482 or 186 employer-sponsored visas. 

On our YouTube channel, we have videos explaining the 482 visa and 186 visa, as well as a video with tips on how to find a sponsor.

Minimum Salary for Sponsorship Increasing

The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) or Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) is increasing from $73,150 to $76,515 on 1 July 2025.

This affects new applications for the 482, 186, and 494 visas.

This change may make it harder for occupations like Chefs and Childcare Workers to be sponsored, as their salaries often fall below the new threshold.

Visa Application Fees Increasing

Visa fees will also increase from 1 July 2025 — as they do every financial year.

If you want to avoid higher application costs, consider lodging your visa before 1 July.

Student and 407 Visa Refusals Increasing

Student Visa Refusals:

According to recent data, of 39,594 appeals lodged with the ART in early 2025, 24,131 were student visa refusals. The likely explanation is that Student visa refusal rates have risen due to new government efforts to reduce net migration.

To improve your chances, make sure your application reflects that you meet the genuine student criteria. 

Check our Genuine Student page for more information.

Training Visa Refusals: 

The 407 Training Visa is also seeing more refusals. Previously, around 92% of 407 visas were granted, based on a Freedom of Information request from late 2024 — but that has now changed.

The issues could be with any of the three stages of the Training visa: Sponsorship, Nomination, and Visa.

Refusals may be due to:

• Not being a genuine training applicant (e.g., applying only because a Graduate Visa isn’t an option)

• No clear training plan

Appeal options may vary with the 407 Training Visa.Sometimes there is the ability to appeal to the ART, however, there may be circumstances where there is no path to appeal.

Seek tailored advice if planning to apply for a Training Visa.

188 Visa Extension

We’ve received an increasing number of inquiries about 188 visa extensions. This is mostly due to COVID-19 disruptions and delays in business progression.

Some visa holders now need more time to meet the criteria for the 888 Permanent Residency visa.

If you or someone you know is seeking an extension, remember:

• You’ll need strong evidence of business activity

• You’ll also need state sponsorship

Don’t leave it to the last minute — preparation is key.

Visa Processing Times

In recent months, we’ve heard concerns about delays in visa processing. Here are the current average times:

Do you need help with you visa application?

If you need assistance with your visa application, contact our team at Work Visa Lawyers. We’re here to guide you through every step.