50 years of Australia’s Working Holiday Maker Program For five decades, Australia’s Working Holiday Marker program has helped make a backpacking trip so much more. It turns a holiday into a cultural exchange adventure and builds lifelong global connections. Established in January 1975 as the Work and Holiday scheme, originally available to young people from Australia, Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom, its purpose was to promote cultural exchange and international understanding among young people, helping strengthen Australia’s global friendships through real, people-to-people connections. Over the past five decades, the reciprocal program has expanded considerably and now includes arrangements with 50 countries, across two visa subclasses. Today, eligible young travellers can enjoy an extended holiday in Australia while also having the option to undertake short-term work to support their stay. Assistant Secretary Immigration Engagement, Pacific and Major Events Brett White said the anniversary highlights the program’s enduring role in connecting Australia with the world. ‘The Working Holiday Maker program was created to help young people from different countries learn from and about each other. Its success over 50 years shows the lasting value and benefits of cultural exchange,’ he said. ‘This model has allowed millions of visitors to experience Australia’s history, unique landscapes, communities and culture firsthand.’ ‘Working holiday makers bring fresh perspectives, energy and enthusiasm. They support local industries, especially in regional areas, and return home with a deeper understanding of Australia—often becoming lifelong friends of our country.’ As Australia celebrates this milestone, the WHM program still fosters stronger links between young people from Australia and the rest of the world. The next 50 years promises to build on a strong foundation. We are welcoming new generations of travellers, supporting local communities, and showcasing Australia to the world. If you are interested in a 12 month working holiday adventure, learn more about the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program.

This information is provided as general guidance and is not a substitute for legal advice. The Education Legislation Amendment (Integrity and Other measures) Act 2025 (the ELA Act) received Royal Assent on 4 December 2025 and became law on 5 December 2025. The ELA Act makes changes to the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 to strengthen Australia’s international education to prevent exploitation of international students and safeguard Australia’s education and visa systems. These changes will support you to have a good student experience and receive a quality education. What is the “ESOS Act”? Australia’s ESOS legislation sets out the rules for Australian education providers who deliver education to overseas students on a student visa. The ESOS Act is designed to: Protect Australia’s reputation for quality education Protect your tuition fees if something goes wrong Support the integrity of the student visa program. Under the ESOS Act, every university, college, school or other education provider that teaches overseas students must meet requirements to: Be officially registered under the ESOS Act. Offer courses that meet quality standards. Provide support services to help students succeed. Make sure students are protected. For more information on the ESOS legislative framework please click the link here. What is changing? Changes to the ESOS Act include: Education agents and commissions A new definition of ‘education agent’ A clear definition of ‘education agent commission’ (these are payments made by education providers to education agents) and provisions to enable the Government to collect commission information and better access for education providers to information about education agents. ‘Fit and proper provider’ requirements When deciding if a provider is “fit and proper,” ESOS Agencies must now also consider: if the provider (or related people) is under investigation for certain offences’, and ownership and control arrangements between education providers and education agents in their evaluation Provider registration requirements and processing Requiring providers, excluding those listed in the Act, to teach domestic students for two years before they can apply to teach overseas students Allows the Minister for Education to pause applications for education provider and course registration If a provider does not teach a registered course to an overseas student in Australia for 12 months, their registration to teach overseas students will be automatically cancelled for all courses at all locations. New course cancellation powers Gives the Minister for Education the ability to cancel courses or classes of courses if one or more of the following apply: There are systemic issues in the standard of delivery of the courses the courses have limited value to Australia’s skills and training needs it is in the public interest. Changes to ESOS agencies internal review process ESOS agencies are government bodies that regulate international education in Australia. The changes give ESOS agencies: More time to review decisions (up to 120 days) and allow an education provider to request to pause enforcement of the original decision while review is happening (which means the provider can keep operating during the review). These changes have been designed to help maintain the highest quality and regulatory standards in Australian international education programs and protect international students. The Department of Education have published fact sheets on each of the new changes to the Bill which have been linked to the relevant headings above and can be found here.

Australia's states and territories have honoured the incredible achievements of international students during 2025 at local award ceremonies. These events recognise the talent and dedication of international students, the support of employers, and the services and opportunities offered by each state and territory. Study NSW Study NSW recently hosted its International Student Awards for 2025, celebrating the positive impact of international students and education sector leaders this year. In particular, the Awards highlighted the way students and leaders fostered a sense of community, drove positive social change, and championed the voices of international students.

Notice: New Skilled Migrant applications are unavailable from 17 December 2025 to 7 January 2026. During this time, applicants with an existing account can continue to log in, but no new applications can be started or submitted.

One of the many employers using WorkerConnect is the Nightcliff Sports Club in Darwin’s northern suburbs. Manager Paul McGuire, who moved to Darwin from the Gold Coast with his wife Angela earlier this year and immediately bought a house, heard about the digital platform through discussions with the Northern Territory Government and through DAMA, the Designated Area Migration Agreements, a regional immigration framework. “ WorkerConnect was so easy to use,” he says. “It’s tailored for Top End employers looking to fill skill shortages, especially in regional areas. It’s great to see candidates who are genuinely interested in living and working in the Northern Territory. The Nightcliff Sports Club has hired three overseas team members, Parakorn Kunarak from Thailand, Jane Rinelke from Indonesia and Huizhong ‘Jo’ Ku from China. “It was a smooth process,” says Paul. “They have settled in well and become valuable members of our team.”

Lena Bornhoeft moved to Darwin seven years ago for a work-life sea change and hasn’t looked back. “A friend of mine lived in Darwin for a short period of time and said I would like the place,” Lena said. “My original plan was to just visit Darwin and then I picked up a 6-month job as a live-in nanny, the family I stayed with showed me the best of the Northern Territory lifestyle and it felt like home.” Lena then moved into traffic management picking up work as a traffic controller around greater Darwin. By 2021 Lena had commenced at Trafficwerx NT, a Darwin-based company who are leaders in traffic management solutions in the Northern Territory. For more information about the company, go to the Trafficwerx NT website. Beginning as a traffic controller Lena quickly moved up the ranks to become a Project Administrator for Trafficwerx NT. “My job is busy but incredibly rewarding,” Lena said. “I am in charge of designating traffic management plans and oversee our traffic management projects. “Each day is different, I can be meeting with clients and key stakeholders and then coordinating logistics including travel and training.” Lena pictured in the centre, collaborating with the Trafficwerx team Lena is happy that she made the move to Darwin and has found the right mix between a rewarding job and laid-back lifestyle. She came here on a working holiday visa and has shifted to a skilled visa sponsored by Trafficwerx NT, demonstrating a successful transition from working holiday to full-time employment with a pathway to permanent residency. “Darwin is a beautiful city and has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere,' she said. “It’s warm all year round and the dry season is a highlight with its festivals, markets and activities. “There is so much on offer, we have so many national parks and waterfalls to explore, no traffic jams and plenty of job opportunities.” Planning your next career move? Sign up to WorkerConnect – the Northern Territory Government’s digital jobs board – and search for jobs today.

2025-26 State Nomination Migration Program – December invitation round Mon, 08/12/2025 - 14:52 The Department of Home Affairs has issued remaining places for the 2025–26 State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP). Ordinary invitation rounds for the WA SNMP have commenced, with an invitation round issued on 5 December. Invitation data was published in the 2025-26 Invitation round section (opens in a new tab) of the SNMP page. Please continue to monitor the State Nominated Migration Program page (opens in a new tab) for further updates. News Category SNMP

Western Australia police said an off-duty officer located two men 12km north of Kalumburu on Monday.

Skilled and Business Migration have commenced inviting clients across the four streams of the 2025-26 General Skilled Migration program. Below you will find the relevant data for both interim invitations, and the invitations issued this week. Interim invitations to 1 November 2025 Invitations in December 2025 ANZSCO Sub-major Group Subclass 190 Subclass 491 Total Subclass 190 Subclass 491 Total 13 Specialist Managers 0 1 1 15 11 26 14 Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers 0 5 5 0 3 3 22 Business, Human Resource and Marketing Professionals 15 9 24 4 12 16 23 Design, Engineering, Science and Transport Professionals 18 5 23 47 29 76 24 Education Professionals 0 1 1 24 5 29 25 Health Professionals 9 1 10 91 4 95 26 ICT Professionals 5 11 16 1 41 42 27 Legal, Social and Welfare Professionals 1 1 2 15 1 16 31 Engineering, ICT and Science Technicians 5 1 6 7 16 23 32 Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers 6 3 9 8 7 15 33 Construction Trades Workers 22 6 28 27 4 31 34 Electrotechnology and Telecommunications Trades Workers 25 2 27 14 0 14 35 Food Trades Workers 0 5 5 0 1 1 41 Health and Welfare Support Workers 6 14 20 1 10 11 51 Office Managers and Program Administrators 6 2 8 3 1 4 Total 118 67 185 257 145 402 Skilled and Business Migration will continue to issue invitations monthly. The next invitation round will occur in early January 2026. POSTED MORE NEWS

Visa applicants from around the world can now apply for an Australian visa more easily, thanks to the latest expansion of the Australian Immi App. Eligible applicants can now use the Australian Immi App to submit their facial biometrics and passport information from their smartphones, removing the need for in-person visits to biometric collection centres. The Australian Immi App also reduces the costs associated with a visa application as there is no charge to use the app. To be eligible to use the app, clients must have previously provided their biometrics (facial image and fingerprints) to the Department and hold a valid passport. From 24 November 2025, the Department of Home Affairs introduced the app in a further 19 countries, bringing the total number of supported countries to 34. Available countries From 24 November, eligible applicants in the following countries will be able to use the Australian Immi App: Algeria Bahrain Colombia Egypt Fiji France Greece Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China) Iran Iraq Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Malaysia Mexico New Zealand (third-country nationals) Oman Pakistan Papua New Guinea Peru Philippines Qatar Samoa Saudi Arabia Singapore Solomon Islands South Africa South Korea Thailand Tonga Türkiye Tuvalu United Arab Emirates Vanuatu With the app now available in 34 countries, the Australian Government is delivering on its promise to make the visa process faster, simpler and more convenient. A final expansion to all remaining countries in Australia’s biometric collection program is scheduled for early 2026. The Department of Home Affairs thanks all applicants for embracing this shift to digital service and looks forward to continuing to expand the app’s reach in 2026. It aims to give easier access to Australia’s visa system for more people, in more places. For full eligibility details, supported visa subclasses, step-by-step guidance and technical requirements, visit Australian Immi App.

The National Migration Conference 2025 will be held today, providing migration professionals with essential updates ahead of the 2026 program year. The event offers comprehensive coverage of key legislative and policy developments relevant to Registered Migration Agents, migration lawyers, and industry stakeholders. Session 1: 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM Presenter: Marsha Bassily, Immigration Lawyer CPD Allocation: 1 Category B CPD Point (CN199) This session will deliver structured analysis and practical insights across the following visa programs: Student visas Skilled visas Family visas Employer sponsored visas (temporary and permanent pathways) Additional legislative amendments and policy updates relevant to 2026 Marsha Bassily will focus on recent changes, emerging trends, and strategic considerations for practitioners advising on complex visa matters. Session 2: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Department of Home Affairs – Live Briefing The Department of Home Affairs will provide a high-level overview of the Migration Program with specific emphasis on the skilled independent, employer sponsored, and student visa programs. Key topics include: 2025–26 Migration Program planning levels Nomination allocations and regional migration settings Skills in Demand (SID) visa statistics and trends Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) updates Processing times and the “Check Twice, Submit Once” initiative Compliance developments under strengthened employer legislation Subclass 407 Training visa Student Program Management Current global visa processing times The Department’s briefing will be delivered by: Steve Lanyi, Assistant Director, Business, Industry and Regional Outreach (BIRO) Kimberly Turner, Director, Program Management and Registration, OMARA The session will conclude with a dedicated question-and-answer segment, providing attendees the opportunity to engage directly with departmental representatives. Event Details Date: Today Time: 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM AEDT Format: Online This conference serves as an important opportunity for practitioners to remain informed, enhance professional competence, and prepare effectively for the upcoming migration program year. Attendance is strongly encouraged for those seeking authoritative and practical guidance ahead of 2026. Book here: https://legaltrainingaustralia.com/conference-cpd/

In an exclusive interview, El Jannah CEO Brett Houldin tells SBS News of the Lebanese chicken chain's global ambitions after a major US buyout.