February Immigration News 2026: An Anti-Immigration Party Is Rising, State Nomination Updates and the Best Australian Visas for 2026
In this February immigration update, we focus on the information that will help you plan and apply for Australian permanent residency (PR) in 2026.
This month’s key topics include:
- A significant political shift that couldimpactfuture migration settings
- The most popular employer-sponsored visas: Subclass 482 and Subclass 186
- State nomination updates for the Subclass 190 and Subclass 491
- DAMAs and regional migration pathways
- Queensland’s approach to the National Innovation Visa
- The predicted new income threshold for employer-sponsored visas
Watch the Full Video:
Political Shift: The Rise of One Nation and Immigration Policy
One Nation is now recording its second-highest approval rating. This is a major political shift that could ultimately lead to a reduction in immigration. This may negatively impact the chances of many people seeking Australian permanent residency.
The Rise of One Nation
To quote the Australian Financial Review on 1 February:
“Following two weeks of Coalition infighting, first-preference support for One Nation has jumped to 26 per cent, up from 17 per cent in December. One Nation overtaking the Liberals and Nationals for the first time ….”
In the same poll, Labor was at 34 per cent.
What are the current immigration policies of One Nation?
According to their website, One Nation’s migration policies include:
- Capping visas at 130,000 per year — referring to permanent residency visas, which are currently set at 185,000 per year
- Deporting 75,000 illegal migrants
- Reintroducing Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs)
- Proposing an eight-year waiting period for citizenship and welfare eligibility
The history of One Nation began with an anti-immigration maiden speech by Pauline Hanson in 1996. There have been many ups and downs since then.
In her maiden speech, she called for multiculturalism to be abolished, with anti-multiculturalism themes continuing to the present.
One Nation is generally anti-immigration, and if it gains more popularity, this could reduce immigration in the future.
For example, major parties could adopt or move closer to One Nation policies. This previously occurred during the John Howard period.
State Nomination News: 190 and 491 Visa Updates
New South Wales 491 Visa Closed
On 19 January 2026, New South Wales opened and closed its 491 Pathway 1 and Pathway 3 on the same day due to exceptionally high demand. Many people missed out simply because they couldn’t apply quickly enough.
Is NSW selecting the best candidates or just the fastest applicants?
South Australia Invitation Rounds
South Australia is currently running invitation rounds on the first Monday of each month.
For February, South Australia invited:
- 227 applicants for the Subclass 190 visa
- 137 applicants for the Subclass 491 visa
Health professionals were the clear winners in this round.
If you are working in healthcare or an allied health occupation, South Australia may currently offer stronger prospects than some other states.
Northern Territory Closure
The Northern Territory has now closed to new applications.
According to the NT Government website:
“The NT Government has now received sufficient applications to fill the nomination allocation for the 2025–26 program year. The NT nomination portal is now closed to new applications. Applications lodged prior to the closure will continue to be assessed, with outcomes to be provided by 30 June 2026.”
We expect more states to start closing soon.
Should You Move States for State Nomination?
This is one of the most common questions we receive.
Work Visa Lawyers is cautious with this advice because every state is dealing with the same issue: large numbers of temporary visa holders competing for a relatively small number of state nomination places.
We are now well into the 2025–26 program year, which ends on 30 June 2026.
There is a real risk that you:
- Relocate
- Spend significant money
- Change jobs
- And then the state program closes shortly after
Relocating is expensive, and finding new employment takes time. Migration decisions should be strategic — not reactive.
Please book an appointment before you move states.
Employer-Sponsored Visas: 482 and 186 Pathways
This brings us to employer-sponsored visas, such as:
If you secure a genuine job offer with strong prospects of sponsorship in your occupation, I am much more open to relocation.
At the moment, employer-sponsored visas can be a more reliable pathway than waiting for state nomination invitations.
Of course, finding an employer willing to sponsor you is not easy. We have published guidance on how to approach employers strategically and position yourself for sponsorship.
DAMAs: A Growing Alternative Pathway
We are seeing increasing interest in Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs).
DAMAs are employer-sponsored migration pathways designed for specific regional areas.
Traditionally, interest was driven by:
- A broader range of eligible occupations
- Access for truck drivers, disability carers, and other critical roles
- Age concessions (particularly for applicants aged 45–55)
Increasingly, however, we are seeing applicants turn to DAMAs after years of trying — and failing — to receive invitations for the Subclass 189, 190, or 491 visas.
This is especially common for onshore applicants who are not receiving invitations and need a more realistic pathway to Australian PR.
National Innovation Visa: Queensland Focus
We are seeing strong interest in Queensland’s state nomination options under the National Innovation Visa framework.
Queensland currently offers:
- An entrepreneuroptionrequiring a $1 million investment
- An investoroptionrequiring a $5 million investment
Entrepreneurs and investors often do not fit neatly into traditional migration models. Their education may not align with their professional history, they may not suit skills assessments, and they are typically not dependent on a single employer.
The flexibility of the National Innovation Visa is what makes it so attractive.
We offer a free assessment for those wishing to explore whether this pathway could suit their circumstances.
New Income Threshold for Employer-Sponsored Visas
The new income threshold for the upcoming financial year, starting on 1 July, will be announced soon.
If the government applies a similar increase to last year (approximately 4.6%) the minimum salary requirement for employer-sponsored visas such as the Subclass 482 and Subclass 186 could rise from $76,515 to approximately $80,000.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics will publish its latest Average Weekly Earnings report on 26 February, which will provide a clearer indication of the likely increase.
If you are close to the current threshold, timing may become critical.
Hate Speech Laws and Migration Policy
Hate speech law changes have now been enacted, and we will continue to monitor how these affect migration policy, visa decision-making, and visa cancellation powers.
Planning Your Australian PR Strategy in 2026
The Australian migration landscape is becoming increasingly competitive and politically sensitive. With tighter state nomination programs, rising income thresholds and potential political shifts influencing migration caps, applicants must approach their Australian permanent residency strategy with careful planning and informed decision-making.
Key takeaways for 2026 include:
- State nomination pathways (Subclass 190 and Subclass 491) are highly competitive
- Employer-sponsored visas (Subclass 482 and Subclass 186) may offer greater certainty
- DAMAs are becoming a realistic and structured regional alternative
- Income thresholds for sponsored visas are likely to rise
- Political developments could influence future migration caps and policy settings
In this environment, relying on timing or chance is no longer sufficient. A clear, strategic migration plan — tailored to your occupation, visa history and long-term goals — is more important than ever.
Work Visa Lawyers is recognised as one of Australian’s leading immigration law firms, with extensive experience in skilled migration, employer-sponsored visas, DAMAs, partner visas, global talent, national innovation visa and complex migration matters.
Our team of immigration lawyers and registered migration agents provides strategic advice through both in-person consultations in Adelaide and secure online consultations for clients across Australia and overseas.
If you are planning your Australian PR pathway in 2026, obtaining professional guidance early can significantly improve your prospects and reduce unnecessary risk.
