OZSOC

Partner visa backlog - senate discussions in Parliament
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Senator SHOEBRIDGE: I am mainly concerned here about partner visas, but also child visas. However,
primarily I will address partner visas. Instead of a cap, the department puts in place an artificial ceiling called a
'planning level'. What is the planning level for partner visas this financial year?
Mr Willard: It is 40,500 places.
Senator SHOEBRIDGE: Once the department has processed 40,500 places, it ceases resourcing the
applications and doesn't progress them. That's what a planning level does, isn't it?
Mr Willard: We have touched on it in previous estimates hearings. We resource according to what we need in
order to get to the planning level.
Senator SHOEBRIDGE: Secretary, are you aware that the now Assistant Minister Hill, when he was not in
government, wrote to the ANAO about this and said, 'The backlog itself'—which has grown since then—'owes
much to the sharp reduction in partner visas granted from 2018 to 2020; 8,000 fewer than in each of the four
previous years, coupled with apparent illegality, as the 'planning level' clearly operates as a de facto cap'? What
the now Minister Hill said in his correspondence back in 2020, that the planning levels operate as a de facto cap,
is true, isn't it?
Ms Foster: I don't have Minister Hill's words in front of me, and Mr Willard has explained many times that
we resource to our planning level. That is the way that visa operates.
Senator SHOEBRIDGE: Once you hit the number that you have resourced for, do you cease processing
them? That is what happens, isn't it, Mr Willard?
Ms Foster: Mr Willard was clear that we resource over the course of a year to meet our planning level.
Senator SHOEBRIDGE: The real effect of it is a very real cap. Mr Willard, what is the current backlog for
partner applications?
Mr Willard: As of 30 November 2025, the current on-hand number for partner visas was 102,620.
Senator SHOEBRIDGE: So effectively, for 102,000 people the decisions at the planning level mean that, if
they have fallen in love with somebody from a country other than Australia, they cannot form a family; they
cannot bring their partner to Australia. That is unlawful, isn't it? It is unlawful not to allow people to progress
their partner applications.
Ms Foster: We don't 'not allow' it; we work to resource to our planning level. We share your concern about
the long wait for people to be reunited with their partners and we are looking at a range of options to deal with
that problem.
Senator SHOEBRIDGE: Minister, do you think it is acceptable to have 102,000 partner applications in a
backlog, which means that 102,000 Australians cannot bring their partners to this country?
Senator Watt: I have heard the department say that they are working to reduce that number, and that's a good
thing.

Migration world today
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It has been an interesting few weeks in politics. Labor our current federal government who set immigration policy were re-elected for a further 3 year term in May 2025. The opposition who traditionally have a 50% chance of winning a federal election are repositioning themselves as a party who wants to capture the hard right wing anti migrant vote that has slipped to the far right wing One Nation party

As a result we are going to see some fairly ugly headlines over the next 2 years as the Liberals make comment and policy designed to demonise sections of the migrant population and generally blame them for issues that is not their fault .

30% of Australian are migrants, 50% of us have at least one parent born overseas. Migrants are generally more educated, more law abiding and healthier than the average Australian given the hurdles they need to pass to come to Australia (that Australian born people do not have to meet). Also the average skilled migrant is a large net positive to the federal budget over their lifetime, where as the average Australian is a net loss to the federal budget.

Finally the housing crisis is factually wrongly blamed on migrants. Everyone within reason has a roof over their head. The issue is that the house people are renting is not for sale as Australians own it as investments and gain so much from rent. They receive overly generous tax and negative gearing concessions meaning that they will not sell it. Neither political party has been brave enough to remove these tax benefits although Labor have recently started a move towards that.

It may be a small comfort that those sensible people in politics both in Labor and Liberals know how important migrants are to our economic and social wealth and that the housing crisis has other blaming factors. And whoever gets into power will very quickly realise that if you reduce net migration by too much , where do we get our skilled people from, our nurses, trades people, teachers, aged care workers etc . And so when you see these awful racist headlines over the next 2 years , especially from vested interests in the press and Liberals trying to capture their right leaning racist voters.. it is only to win the election. It is not in my view a long term reset of the migrant importance in Australia

Here is an approximation of how many 189 EOIs are waiting for an invite as of Dec 2025 for the most popular occupations

Chef (351311): 11,969
Software Engineer (261313): 10,683
Civil Engineer (233211): 9,374
Accountant (General) (221111): 8,744
Early Childhood Teacher (241111): 8,592
ICT Business Analyst (261111): 8,562
Mechanical Engineer (233512): 8,247
Developer Programmer (261312): 6,664
Registered Nurses nec (254499): 5,729
Engineering Technologist (233914): 5,690

https://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/australian-economy/emerging-integrity-issues-home-affairs-tightens-visa-scrutiny-for-india-nepal-bangladesh-and-bhutan/news-story/dac0730bac1a1479dc58e1f7ac01c7f1

‘Emerging integrity issues’: Home Affairs tightens visa scrutiny for India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan International students from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan will face heightened visa scrutiny after the federal government quietly moved the South Asian nations into the highest-risk category on Thursday citing “emerging integrity issues”.

The Department of Home Affairs – January 2026 Country Evidence Level Update - 08/01/2026

On 8 January 2026, Evidence Levels of several countries in South Asia were adjusted. This change in Evidence Levels will assist with the effective management of emerging integrity issues, while continuing to facilitate genuine students seeking a quality education in Australia.

Departmental systems have been updated to reflect the new country Evidence Levels. The Document Checklist Tool on the Department of Home Affairs’ website (homeaffairs.gov.au) also reflects Evidence Levels as per this update.
For more information see: Evidence framework for Education Program (homeaffairs.gov.au)
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/education-program/what-we-do/evidence-framework

Immigration and citizenship Website Find out about Australian visas, immigration and citizenship.

Tier 1 occupations are here for the new 189 selection model
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Medical Diagnostic Radiographer – 251211
Medical Radiation Therapist – 251212
Nuclear Medicine Technologist – 251213
Sonographer – 251214
Optometrist – 251411
Occupational Therapist – 252411
Physiotherapist – 252511
Podiatrist – 252611
Audiologist – 252711
Speech Pathologist – 252712
General Practitioner – 253111
Specialist Physician (General Medicine) – 253311
Cardiologist – 253312
Clinical Haematologist – 253313
Medical Oncologist – 253314
Endocrinologist – 253315
Gastroenterologist – 253316
Intensive Care Specialist – 253317
Neurologist – 253318
Paediatrician – 253321
Renal Medicine Specialist – 253322
Rheumatologist – 253323
Thoracic Medicine Specialist – 253324
Specialist Physicians (nec) – 253399
Psychiatrist – 253411
Surgeon (General) – 253511
Cardiothoracic Surgeon – 253512
Neurosurgeon – 253513
Orthopaedic Surgeon – 253514
Otorhinolaryngologist – 253515
Paediatric Surgeon – 253516
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon – 253517
Urologist – 253518
Vascular Surgeon – 253521
Dermatologist – 253911
Emergency Medicine Specialist – 253912
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist – 253913
Ophthalmologist – 253914
Pathologist – 253915
Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist – 253917
Radiation Oncologist – 253918
Medical Practitioners (nec) – 253999
Midwife – 254111
Nurse Practitioner – 254411
Registered Nurse (Aged Care) – 254412
Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) – 254413
Registered Nurse (Community Health) – 254414
Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) – 254415
Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability) – 254416
Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation) – 254417
Registered Nurse (Medical) – 254418
Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) – 254421
Registered Nurse (Mental Health) – 254422
Registered Nurse (Perioperative) – 254423
Registered Nurse (Surgical) – 254424
Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) – 254425
Registered Nurses (nec) – 254499

(Source: Home Affairs)

Tier 2 occupations for the new 189 model
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Child Care Centre Manager – 341111

Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teacher – 241111

Secondary School Teacher – 241411
Special Needs Teacher – 241511
Teacher of the Hearing Impaired – 241512
Teacher of the Sight Impaired – 241513
Special Education Teachers (nec) – 241599
Clinical Psychologist – 272311
Educational Psychologist – 272312
Organisational Psychologist – 272313
Psychologists (nec) – 272399
Social Worker – 272511

(Source; Home Affairs)

Tier 3 occupations for the new 189 model
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This Tier have an invite ceiling equal to 1% of the Australian stock of workers in that occupation , less any visaed under employer nominated categories last program year.

Hence why some got an invite in the 13th November 2025 round ...

133111 – construction project manager
133211 – engineering manager
134212 – nursing clinical director
134213 – primary health organisation manager
134214 – welfare centre manager
139911 – arts administrator or manager
139912 – environmental manager
211112 – dancer or choreographer
211212 – music director
211213 – musician (instrumental)
212111 – artistic director
224111 – actuary
224113 – statistician
224311 – economist
224511 – land economist
224512 – valuer
224711 – management consultant
232111 – architect
232112 – landscape architect
232212 – surveyor
232213 – cartographer
232214 – other spatial scientist
233111 – chemical engineer
233112 – materials engineer
233211 – civil engineer
233212 – geotechnical engineer
233213 – quantity surveyor
233214 – structural engineer
233215 – transport engineer
233311 – electrical engineer
233411 – electronics engineer
233511 – industrial engineer
233512 – mechanical engineer
233513 – production or plant engineer
233611 – mining engineer (excluding petroleum)
233612 – petroleum engineer
233911 – aeronautical engineer
233912 – agricultural engineer
233913 – biomedical engineer
233914 – engineering technologist
233915 – environmental engineer
233916 – naval architect
233999 – engineering professionals (nec)
234111 – agricultural consultant
234112 – agricultural scientist
234113 – forester
234211 – chemist
234212 – food technologist
234312 – environmental consultant
234313 – environmental research scientist
234399 – environmental scientist (nec)
234412 – geophysicist
234413 – hydrogeologist
234511 – life scientist (general)
234513 – biochemist
234514 – biotechnologist
234515 – botanist
234516 – marine biologist
234517 – microbiologist
234518 – zoologist
234599 – life scientists (nec)
234611 – medical laboratory scientist
234711 – veterinarian
234911 – conservator
234912 – metallurgist
234913 – meteorologist
234914 – physicist
234999 – natural and physical science professionals (nec)
242111 – university lecturer
251912 – orthotist or prosthetist
252111 – chiropractor
252112 – osteopath
271111 – barrister
271311 – solicitor
312211 – civil engineering draftsperson
312212 – civil engineering technician
312311 – electrical engineering draftsperson
312312 – electrical engineering technician
321111 – automotive electrician
321211 – motor mechanic (general)
321212 – diesel motor mechanic
321213 – motorcycle mechanic
321214 – small engine mechanic
322211 – sheetmetal trades worker
322311 – metal fabricator
322312 – pressure welder
322313 – welder (first class)
323211 – fitter (general)
323212 – fitter and turner
323213 – fitter welder
323214 – metal machinist (first class)
323313 – locksmith
324111 – panelbeater
331111 – bricklayer
331112 – stonemason
331211 – carpenter and joiner
331212 – carpenter
331213 – joiner
332211 – painting trades worker
333111 – glazier
333211 – fibrous plasterer
333212 – solid plasterer
333411 – wall and floor tiler
334111 – plumber (general)
334112 – airconditioning and mechanical services plumber
334113 – drainer
334114 – gasfitter
334115 – roof plumber
341111 – electrician (general)
341112 – electrician (special class)
341113 – lift mechanic
342111 – airconditioning and refrigeration mechanic
342212 – technical cable jointer
342313 – electronic equipment trades worker
342314 – electronic instrument trades worker (general)
342315 – electronic instrument trades worker (special class)
361112 – horse trainer
394111 – cabinetmaker
399111 – boat builder and repairer
399112 – shipwright
452316 – tennis coach
452411 – footballer

(Source: Home Affairs)

Tier 4 occupations (lowest priority) in the new 189 selection model
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The ceiling for these occupations will be just 0.5% of the Australian stock of workers in that occupation

Only if there are some places left in that ceiling after subtracting the number visaed in LAST program years employer nominated categories, will any receive a 189 invite this program year

accountant (general) – 221111
management accountant – 221112
taxation accountant – 221113
external auditor – 221213
internal auditor – 221214
ICT business analyst – 261111
systems analyst – 261112
multimedia specialist – 261211
analyst programmer – 261311
developer programmer – 261312
software engineer – 261313
software and applications programmers (nec) – 261399
ICT security specialist – 262112
computer network and systems engineer – 263111
telecommunications engineer – 263311
telecommunications network engineer – 263312
radio communications technician – 313211
telecommunications field engineer – 313212
telecommunications network planner – 313213
telecommunications technical officer or technologist – 313214
chef – 351311

(Source; Home Affairs)

Example of how the new 189 model works
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Say an example occupation was in Tier 4 and I will pretend it is called Dogchaser.

If there are 400,000 Dogchasers employed in Australia, Home Affairs will work out what 0.5% is (that is the multiplier for Tier 4 ) and come up with 2000 places.

If last program years employer nominated categories used 1600 places, then this year only 400 can be used for 189 invitations in that occupation. If however 2200 have been used last program year in employer nominated categories there would be ZERO available for 189 this program year as this is above the ceiling of 2000

The process to apply for an Australian visa just got easier thanks to the Australian Immi App.

Now live in 34 countries, the app allows eligible applicants to complete key biometric steps from their smartphones, helping reduce costs and processing times.

To be eligible, clients must have previously provided their biometrics (facial image and fingerprints) to the Department of Home Affairs and hold a valid passport.

For more information on the Australian Immi App, including eligibility and step-by-step instructions visit

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/supporting/Pages/australian-immi-app.aspx?fbclid=IwdGRleAOTPF9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe44vylXm_QShebgihsy-OEJHhK8_inlVK8Stl-mPOO9N3SIyQWsTTyVqP9l0_aem_kEuMNfd_nahksjOT5jY2_g&brid=u7evfFgfV8KrOkh80kiecA

immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

Change in WA criteria for Advanced Diploma students
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WA in the past have allowed students to complete both Higher Education Qualifications (such as masters, degree etc) and also complete an Advanced Diploma in WA And be considered in both streams. Sometimes this has been to the advantage of those who have completed an ADDITIONAL advanced diploma after their earlier degree or masters in WA

Their new 25/26 criteria has stated this ...

Invitations for Graduate Stream are determined by the highest “completed” qualification gained in WA in your EOI. If you have WA higher Education qualification you will ONLY be considered for Higher Education stream. If your highest WA qualification is a VET qualification, you will ONLY be considered for VET Stream

This has been clarified by DTWD as meeting that no longer can you jump in the VET sector by completing a later Advanced Diploma. you instead will have to remain in the Higher education sector if you have a post grad diploma, degree, masters or PHD in WA