National Innovation Visa Updates

Exceptionally talented individuals such as global researchers, entrepreneurs, innovative investors, athletes, sports professionals and creatives with an internationally recognized record of exceptional achievements in their field may be eligible for the subclass 858 - National Innovation Visa or the NIV.

One of the requirements for the NIV is having a nominator who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident or an Australian organization who has a national reputation in the same field as the applicant.

Expert Australian Commonwealth, State or Territory Government agencies can also nominate for the NIV. 

Currently, only New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia has released the details of their nomination process.

State NIV nomination 

Each state has their different processes and for Victoria, the first step is to engage with  Victorian Government department/agency on your project plan. You can do this by creating a general enquiry on the Live in Melbourne website and submitting your project plan.

If you are competitive and chosen, a Victorian Government department or agency that can support your nomination will identify and refer you. This department or agency will be preparing the nomination documents.

The Victorian NIV nomination program does not require any Registration of Interest (ROI) or application process initiated by the applicant.

New South Wales and South Australia require potential applicants to submit their ROIs and if the applicant is shortlisted, for NSW, they will be invited to submit the full nomination. 

In South Australia, the applicant will be interviewed by an assessment panel of South Australian Government representatives.

If approved for state nomination, the state will then provide the applicant with the competed Form 1000.

Department of Home Affairs – Invitation rounds

The Department of Home Affairs extends invitations monthly according to NIV priority order as listed in Ministerial Directions 112. 

You can read about these priorities here.

According to the information released by the Department, for the period of July – September 2025, they received a total of 1841 EOIs and invited 122 candidates.

From the 122 invitations issued:

• Less than 5 is from Priority 1- Exceptional candidates from any sector who are global experts and recipients of international ‘top of field’ level awards.
• 17 are from Priority 2 - Candidates from any sector nominated on the approved Form 1000 by an expert Australian Commonwealth, State or Territory Government agency
• 84 are from Priority 3 - Candidates with exceptional and outstanding achievements in a Tier One sector (Critical technologies, Renewables and low emission technologies and Health industries)
• 20 are from Priority 4 - Candidates with exceptional and outstanding achievements in a Tier Two sector  (Agri-food and AgTech, Education, Defence Capabilities and Space, Financial Services and FinTech, Infrastructure and Transport and Resources.

By sector:

Tier 1

• 48 invitations were issued for those in Critical Technologies
• 15 from ​Renewables and low emission technologies
• 30 from Health Industries

Tier 2

• Less than 5 from Agri-food and AgTech 
• Less than 5 from Education
• 9 from Defence Capabilities and Space
• Less than 5 from Financial Services and FinTech
• Less than 5 from Infrastructure and Transport
• Less than 5 from Resources

And there were 8 from the Sports and Arts.

If you want to check if you are eligible for the NIV, you can complete our free NIV assessment form here.

You just might be one of the brightest, best and fairest talent Australia is looking for.

189 Invitation Round November 2025

If you are waiting for news about Australia's skilled migration, the 13 November 2025 invitation round has brought massive updates. The Department of Home Affairs has issued 10,000 invitations for the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa.

The government’s clear focus is on fixing the housing shortage. To achieve this, they are making it significantly easier for trade workers to secure a visa, while entry standards for other professionals remain high.

Here is our simple analysis of who won, the surprises, and who missed out.

Current Round: 13 November 2025

• Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) - 10,000 invitations issued.
• Subclass 491 (Family Stream) - 300 invitations issued.
• Total Occupations Invited - 144.

You can view the official invitation round data on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Construction Sector

Australia needs to build more houses. Because of this, the Department is inviting Carpenters, Bricklayers, and many other trades with just 65 points.

Some other occupations invited with 65 points were:

1. Plumber (General) - 65 points
2. Joiner - 65 points
3. Electrician (General) - 65 points
4. Solid Plasterer - 65 points
5. Wall and Floor Tiler - 65 points

65 points is the minimum score. This means if you are a qualified tradesperson with the right age and English skills, you have a very good chance of being invited.

Health & Education

Healthcare and Education remain vital parts of the migration program. Nurses, Doctors, and Teachers are being invited regularly, though the point requirements are slightly higher than for construction.

Key Health & Education Occupations Invited:

1. Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) - 75 points
2. Registered Nurse (Medical) - 75 points
3. Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher - 85 points
4. Secondary School Teacher - 75 points
5. Special Needs Teacher - 75 points
6. Special Education Teachers nec - 75 points
7. Physiotherapist - 75 points

While there are many invitations in these sectors, there is also more competition. You generally need a competitive score of at least 75 points to secure an invite.

Some others occupations invited

Most invitations went to the major sectors mentioned above, but there were some interesting surprises in this round.

Other notable occupations Invited:

1. Economist - 85 points
2. Multimedia Specialist - 90 points
3. Musician (Instrumental) - 90 points
4. Marine Biologist - 85 points
5. Botanist - 85 points
6. Tennis Coach - 85 points

Tennis Coaches: Surprisingly, Tennis Coaches received invites again. This is the second round this year that Tennis Coaches have been invited, showing that specific niche jobs are sometimes needed unexpectedly.

Who Missed Out

Even though Education is a priority, University Lecturers were not invited in the November 2025 round. The Department is currently focusing on schools for children (Primary and Secondary), rather than universities.

If you are a University Lecturer, the 189 visa may be difficult to secure right now. You should consider other options, such as the Subclass 190 or 491 visas (State Nomination), or employer sponsorship through the 482 or 186 visas.

Other occupations that didn’t receive any invitations were Accountants and Chefs.

Subclass 491: Family Stream

The 491 Family Stream is still small and competitive.

• Invitations Issued - 300
• Occupations - 36

This visa is designed to help people with eligible family members living in regional Australia.

When will the next 189 invitation round happen?

Invitation rounds are expected to happen quarterly.

If you did not get an invite, don’t panic. The next 189 visa invitation round is expected to be in February or March.

What You Should Do:

• Trades - If you have 65 points, submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) now.
• Professionals - If your job is not on a priority list, try to increase your points. You can improve your English score, add partner points, or gain more work experience.

Need Help?

Visa rules change often. If you are not sure what to do—or if you want to switch from a 189 to a 190 or 491 visa—our team can help you.

Book an Appointment

4 Ways You Can Lose Your Australian Permanent Residency (And How to Avoid It)

Did you know your Australian Permanent Residency (PR) can be cancelled even after it’s been granted?

While many assume that PR status is a permanent guarantee, there are several legal, procedural, and administrative situations that can cause you to lose your residency rights. 

From failing the Character Test to mistakenly applying for the wrong visa type, these pitfalls are more common than you might think — and they can have devastating consequences, especially if you're overseas when they occur.

In this article, we’ll cover the four most common reasons Australian PR is lost, with real-life examples and practical advice on how to avoid these costly mistakes.

Reason 1: Committing a Serious Offence

Your Permanent Residency can be cancelled if you fail the Character Test, especially if you:

• Receive a 12-month prison sentence (even if suspended)
• Commit domestic violence
• Are involved in repeated criminal offences
• Are convicted of serious driving offences like DUI or dangerous driving

Example:

A PR holder receives a suspended 12-month sentence and still loses their residency — even without serving time.

How to avoid this:

Stay out of legal trouble. If you’re facing charges, seek legal advice immediately.

Reason 2: Applying for a Temporary Visa After Getting PR

Many migrants don’t realise that applying for a temporary visa after receiving Permanent Residency can actually cancel their PR.

This can happen in several situations, including:

• When a PR holder applies for a temporary visa from outside Australia, or
• When someone onshore applies for a temporary visa and later applies for a permanent visa (or vice versa), and the temporary visa is granted after the permanent visa.

If the temporary visa is granted after the PR is granted — and the applicant did not withdraw the temporary visa application — the temporary visa will replace the permanent visa and cancel the PR.

This risk applies to visas such as:

• Visitor visa
• Student visa
• Working Holiday visa
• Graduate visa

Example 1: 

A PR holder offshore applies for a visitor visa to re-enter Australia more easily. When the temporary visa activates, their PR travel facility expires. They are no longer recognised as a permanent resident.

Solution:

If your PR travel facility has expired, always apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV – subclass 155/157) — not a temporary visa.

Example 2

A person applies for a Student Visa while onshore. A few months later, they receive an invitation for the 190 visa, which is granted quickly — giving them PR.
However, because they did not withdraw their Student Visa application, the Student Visa is granted later and replaces the 190 PR visa, cancelling their permanent residency.

Solution:

After your PR is granted, remember to withdraw any other visa application you have lodged.

Contact us if you need help applying for a Resident Return Visa or understanding your PR conditions.

Reason 3: Spending Too Long Outside Australia

Your PR comes with a 5-year travel facility. If you stay outside Australia for too long and lose strong ties to the country, you may not be able to re-enter.

Example:

A PR holder works overseas for 7 years with minimal ties to Australia. Their Resident Return Visa is refused. They cannot return as a permanent resident.

How to avoid this:

• Travel back to Australia at least every 5 years
• Maintain strong connections (property, work, family) to Australia

Reason 4: Not Entering Australia by Your First Entry Date

If you were granted PR offshore, your visa includes a first entry date.

If you don’t enter by that date, your PR may become invalid — even before you’ve had a chance to move.

Solution:

Make a short trip to Australia before the first entry date to activate your PR.

Don’t Risk Losing Your PR

Many people make avoidable mistakes that lead to losing their Australian Permanent Residency. If you take the right steps and stay informed, most of these issues can be prevented.

If you’re facing criminal charges, visa complications, or have spent extended time overseas, get legal advice as early as possible.

Watch the Full Video:

In this video, we go deeper into each reason with visual examples and what steps to take next.

Need Help With Your PR Status?

Book a consultation for expert legal help on visas, PR, and citizenship matters.

Book an Appointment

Australian Immigration News – December 2025

Major Updates on 189, 190, 491 Visas, State Allocations & 2026 Migration Predictions

The Australian Government has finally released the allocation quotas for the 190 and 491 visas—and the news is significant. Several states, including South Australia, New South Wales, Western Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania, have experienced major cuts, while Queensland and the Northern Territory have seen increases to their state nomination programs.

If you are planning to migrate to Australia in 2026, or you have a 190/491 Expression of Interest (EOI) sitting in SkillSelect without invitations, this may be one of the most important immigration updates of the year.

This month, we cover:

• The November 2025 189 invitation round
• The new 190 & 491 visa allocation cuts
• Four migration strategies to consider moving forward
• The National Innovation Visa (NIV)
• Visa appeals
• What to expect in Australian immigration in 2026

189 Invitation Round – November 2025

The 13 November 2025 189 round was strong and followed similar trends to previous rounds.

A total of 10,000 applicants were invited across 144 different occupations.

As in recent rounds, the Department is prioritising construction, health and education, with some construction occupations being invited with only 65 points.

Some competitive occupations also received invitations, including Economists and Multimedia Specialists. And once again—similar to the latest rounds—some surprising occupations were invited, such as Tennis Coach and Musician (Instrumental).

In this round, 300 applicants were also invited for the 491 Family Stream, across 36 different occupations.

The Department of Home Affairs has just published the official November 189 invitation round. The full list is available on the Department’s website.

For those still waiting, it looks like the next round may happen in February or March, as the government is planning to run invitation rounds quarterly.

190 & 491 Visa Allocations 2025–26

The Federal Government confirmed the new state nomination quotas, with a 23% national reduction overall.

States with major cuts:

• South Australia: 41% decrease
• Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, Western Australia: Significant cuts
• ACT: Small cut

States with increases:

• Queensland: 117% increase
• Northern Territory: 3% increase

Even with increases, both QLD and NT remain competitive due to high applicant demand.

These cuts mean:

• Less availability of 190 and 491 visas
• Higher competition
• Fewer occupations available
• More migrants needing alternative visa pathways

Check out our full blog about the state allocations for 2025–26.

Four Options to Consider for Your Australian PR Strategy

If you are not receiving a nomination for the 190 or 491 visas, there are four pathways you may consider:

1. Keep trying for the 190 or 491 visa

This works for certain occupations—especially in construction, health, education, or for applicants with strong government roles.

However, if you work in an oversupplied occupation (e.g. Cook, Accountant, Marketing Specialist), continuing to wait may not be an effective strategy.

2. Move to another state

A change of state may help, but only depending on your occupation and the state you’re moving to.

For heavily oversupplied occupations such as Restaurant Managers, Cooks, or Enrolled Nurses, moving often does not improve invitation chances.

Moving is more realistic if:

• You have a confirmed job offer in the new state
• You are relocating from a highly competitive state (NSW, VIC, SA) to one with better allocations (WA or NT)

Always seek migration advice before relocating—Australia’s distances usually involve travelling over 1,000 km.

3. Consider alternative visa pathways

This is now the recommendation of many state governments.

Possible alternatives include:

• Employer Sponsored visas (482 visa) — no allocation caps
• DAMA or Labour Agreement visas
• Partner visas (if you have an Australian partner)

Finding a sponsor can be challenging, but it remains one of the most reliable PR pathways.

4. Retrain into a higher-demand occupation

This is most feasible for applicants on a 485 Graduate Visa with 2–3 years ahead of them.

Some trade occupations receiving 189 invitations at only 65 points may become attractive pathways.

If you need personalised guidance, you can book a consultation with our team.

Book an Appointment

South Australia Opens the 2025–26 State Nomination Program

SA received:

• 1,350 places for the 190 visa
• 900 places for the 491 visa
• Total: 2,250 places (a 41% reduction from last year's 3,800)

Priority sectors:

• Building & Construction
• Defence
• Education
• Engineering
• Health
• Manufacturing

Check our full South Australia blog to learn more about SA state nomination in 2025–26.

National Innovation Visa (NIV) Updates

The NIV replaces the Global Talent Visa and targets highly talented, globally recognised innovators.

Key updates:

• Queensland may open EOIs before the end of 2025
• NSW has received 1,250 EOIs but invited only 5 applicants so far
• Strong demand indicates extremely high competition

With 190 and 491 cuts, it is likely that one state will begin issuing more nomination supports in 2026. Those who act early will benefit most.

If you believe you may qualify, complete our free online assessment.

ART Visa Appeals – Important Reminder

December is a high-volume period for:

• Visa refusals
• Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) decisions

If you receive a refusal, be careful with strict appeal deadlines—missing them may remove your right to review.

What to Expect in Australian Immigration in 2026

Based on current trends, we predict:

• State nomination programs will remain selective and competitive
• Priority will continue for construction, health and education
• Demand for 482 and 186 visas will grow
• 186 processing times will remain long
• DAMA and Labour Agreement pathways will expand
• Skilled migrants will increasingly look for employer sponsorship
• States may issue fewer invitations and adopt more targeted criteria

If you're struggling to secure GSM invitations, read our blog “How to Find a Sponsor in Australia”, which offers practical steps.

Need Personalised Migration Advice?

If you want tailored guidance about your Australian PR options, you can book a consultation with or migration agents or immigration lawyers.

Talk to an Immigration Lawyer

You can also check out our YouTube channel to learn more about Australian visas, permanent residency, and citizenship.

South Australia Opens 190 and 491 Visa Programs for 2025–26

South Australia (SA) has officially opened applications for the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visas and released its updated criteria on the Move to SA website.

For the 2025–26 program, including interim allocations, South Australia has received:

This year brings one of the biggest changes in recent years:

• SA has removed 71 onshore occupations from the skilled list
• Reducing the number of eligible onshore occupations from 464 last year to just 393 this year
• There are 278 offshore occupations available

Combined with significant allocation cuts, the 2025–26 program will be far more competitive than previous years.
With a 41% overall cut, South Australia now faces the largest reduction in nomination places across the country.

If you work in construction, health, teaching or have a high salary, you may have a better chance of being invited by SA.

South Australia Skilled Migration Streams

South Australia continues to operate four key nomination streams:

1. South Australian Graduates
2. Skilled Employment in South Australia
3. Outer Regional Skilled Employment
4. Offshore

The eligibility and competitiveness within each stream have shifted significantly, and it will be more difficult to receive a nomination.

Onshore Applicants: ROI Required

Onshore applicants must now submit a Registration of Interest (ROI).
SA will consider a mix of factors from your ROI when deciding whether to invite you for nomination.

Key assessment factors include:

• English language level
• Years of skilled experience
• Skills and qualification level
• Salary level
• Employer assessment (for those employed in SA)

Tip: For onshore applicants, points do not matter.

Minimum Work Requirement – SA Onshore Applicants

All onshore applicants must be working at least 30 hours per week for a set period based on their stream.
This means most international students will not be eligible, as student visa work rights limit them to 24 hours per week or 48 hours per fortnight.

Occupations – 491 Visa Only (Not Eligible for 190)

A significant number of occupations have shifted to the 491 visa only, reducing access to the 190 visa pathway.

Examples include:

• Accountant
• Dentist
• Motor Mechanic
• Marketing Specialist

Occupations No Longer Eligible for the SA Graduate Stream

• Chefs
• Cooks
• Cafe or Restaurant Managers
• Enrolled Nurses

Occupations Keeping 190 or 491 Options

Despite the major reductions, some high-priority occupations still retain 190 eligibility, including:

• Engineers
• Teachers
• Registered Nurses

These align with South Australia’s priority industry needs.

South Australia Priority Sectors for 2025–26

The state will prioritise applicants in:

• Building and Construction
• Defence
• Education
• Engineering
• Health
• Manufacturing

Applicants in these sectors may remain competitive for 190 nominations, depending on experience, English level and employment arrangements.

Offshore Applicants: No ROI Required

Offshore applicants do not need to submit an ROI.
Invitations will be issued directly from SkillSelect based on your EOI.

For offshore candidates, the primary assessment factors remain:

• Your occupation
• Points score
• Competitiveness within your occupation group

Not all occupations have offshore pathways. Some are onshore-only, and others are 491 only.

Tip: Points matter for offshore applicants.

Numbers and Competition

Last year (2024–25), South Australia had about 60,000 EOIs and ROIs for only 3,800 places. This means the chance of getting an invite was very low — about 6.33%.

This year (2025–26), if there are still around 60,000 applications but only 2,250 places, the chance of getting invited will be even lower — around 3.75%.

Tip: If you are not receiving an invitation, consider other visa options such as employer-sponsored visas (482 visa, 186 visa, 494 visa or DAMA) or a partner visa if you have an Australian partner.

What These Changes Mean for Applicants

• Expect fewer invitations overall
• Many occupations will now only access the 491 visa
• SA employment is becoming a key factor
• Offshore candidates will likely need high points to stay competitive
• Some occupations require SA employment even for Graduate pathways
• Employer sponsorship pathways (482 → 186) may be more reliable

If you intend to apply through South Australia, early planning and strategy are more important than ever.

You can book an appointment with one of our migration agents or immigration lawyers.

Book an Appointment