VisaProAdviserVisas, migration and life abroad
Covers skilled migration to Australia — from the subclass 190 visa to the regional 491 and shifting occupation lists for IT roles. It looks harder than most at the gap between what agents promise and what applicants actually get, calling out schemes where a cut is taken from tuition or a promised PR outcome that never materializes. Readers get a checklist of requirements and steps, not slogans about moving abroad. Coverage tracks which IT occupations still have a shot in 2026 and which have nearly lost it, how visa restrictions and work-right cancellations play out, and what visa fees actually run. It also digs into what applicants aren't told before lodging a visa and how to prove savings for a student visa. Tourist visas and everyday settling-in questions sit outside its scope.
Victoria introduces ROI application fees, changes points system with priority for healthcare workers, and restricts student transfers before completing one year of study.
When VetAssess applied a made-up rule, the candidate demanded a review. A letter of explanation led to a positive outcome.
Since 2 October 2026 a student's family can no longer enter Australia on one visa — they need a school place, a Guardian visa 590, a visitor visa, or their own visa 500.
Student visa costs $2,500, migration cap set at 200,000-225,000/year, PhD earns 35 points under a proposed system. A realistic look at the research and PhD pathway.
Parents must show $87,856 for one student, $102,500 with a partner. Term deposits, crypto, relatives' accounts — what officers reject and why.
Tourist visas cut from 12 to 6 months, student visa fees jumped to $2,500, and 70% of applications will now be processed onshore in Australia.
Subclass 189 visa is closed for IT. Real chances in 2026 remain for cybersecurity, cloud technology, and AI specialists through subclass 190, 491, and 482 visas.