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| This article is published in English and may later be translated into Arabic for convenience. Migrate2Australia confirms that the English version is authoritative. If there is any inconsistency between the English and translated versions, the English version prevails. |
Migrate2Australia’s Daily Morning Migration Update is current as at 20 August 2026. Today’s update covers Working & Skilled Visas, Partner & Family Visas and Citizenship. Eva Abdelmessiah has 20 years’ experience, has been registered since 2006 and holds MARN 0636719.
1. Tasmania’s first weekly invitation round is expected to begin today
Migration Tasmania’s 2026–27 Skilled Migration State Nomination Program opened on 17 August 2026. Migrate2Australia understands that the first weekly invitation round is expected to begin today, 20 August 2026, subject to official confirmation by Migration Tasmania.
The reported allocation is 2,050 nomination places:
- 1,250 places for subclass 190
- 800 places for subclass 491
Migrate2Australia notes that these are state nomination places within Australia’s federal skilled migration framework. A state nomination is not an automatic visa grant. Applicants must still meet the relevant Department of Home Affairs requirements for the nominated visa subclass.
The Tasmanian Registration of Interest, or ROI, is free. The published nomination application fee is AUD 425.70, including GST. Eva Abdelmessiah recommends checking the current Tasmanian portal settings before submitting an ROI because pathway availability, invitation timing and evidence requirements can change.
2. Important Tasmania setting for offshore subclass 491 applicants
For 2026–27, Tasmania’s subclass 491 overseas Invitation Only pathway is paused or closed. Migrate2Australia stresses that this is a Tasmanian state setting within the federal framework. It should not be described as a federal prohibition on all offshore applicants seeking a Skilled visa to Australia.
Overseas applicants in the health and education sectors may still have an option through Tasmania’s subclass 190 Overseas Health or Education Sector Job Offer pathway, where they hold a qualifying Tasmanian job offer and satisfy the other pathway requirements. Migrate2Australia advises applicants not to assume that an occupation in health or education is sufficient by itself.
Eva Abdelmessiah recommends that offshore applicants verify their occupation, skills assessment, English evidence, employment offer, professional registration and nomination documents before relying on any Tasmanian pathway. Migrate2Australia also recommends rechecking the official Migration Tasmania website before lodging or making travel decisions.
3. South Australia is expected to reopen on 26 August
South Australia is expected to reopen its 2026–27 skilled migration program on 26 August 2026, subject to official confirmation. Migrate2Australia will continue monitoring the official Migration SA skilled migration program page.
An expected restriction of the subclass 491 pathway to onshore applicants should be understood as a South Australian state setting within the federal framework. Migrate2Australia confirms that this should not be presented as a direct requirement created by a federal Ministerial Direction.
Applicants should not rely on the reported reopening date or any expected onshore setting until the details appear on the official South Australian website. Eva Abdelmessiah recommends preparing skills assessments, English results, employment evidence and identity documents in advance, while treating the date and pathway conditions as subject to recheck.
4. Ministerial Direction 119 changes processing priority: not eligibility
Ministerial Direction 119 commenced on 25 July 2026, replacing the skilled processing priorities under Direction 105. Migrate2Australia explains that Direction 119 applies to the processing order for certain skilled visa nominations and applications. It does not change the underlying eligibility criteria for an Australian Skilled Visa.
The priority structure generally places applications supporting law enforcement or defence interests first, followed by relevant onshore applications in construction, healthcare and teaching, other onshore applications and then other offshore applications. Migrate2Australia emphasises that the precise application of the Direction depends on the visa subclass and the facts of the case.
Direction 119 does not remove requirements relating to age, English, skills assessment, points, nomination, sponsorship, health, character or visa-specific criteria. Eva Abdelmessiah advises applicants to separate two questions: Are you eligible? and How might the application be prioritised?
Any Home Affairs processing time or priority information is indicative only, is not guaranteed and can change. Migrate2Australia cannot guarantee that an application will be decided within a particular period.
5. Partner visa Australia applications are handled under Direction 117
Applicants should not confuse Direction 119 with the family visa framework. Migrate2Australia confirms that Partner visa Australia applications are processed under Ministerial Direction 117, not Direction 119.
Direction 117 applies to family visa processing priorities and distinguishes between applications that can be granted while the primary applicant is in Australia and applications that require the applicant to be outside Australia at grant. Onshore partner visa applications, including subclasses 820 and 801, generally sit in a higher practical priority group than offshore partner and Prospective Marriage applications, including subclasses 309, 100 and 300.
Migrate2Australia stresses that processing priority is not approval. Direction 117 does not remove the substantive requirements for a Partner visa Australia application, including evidence of a genuine relationship, health and character requirements, identity documents and compliance with visa conditions.
The correct strategy depends on the applicant’s location, current visa, condition restrictions, relationship history and available evidence. Eva Abdelmessiah recommends obtaining advice before lodging a partner application solely because of perceived delays in another visa category.
Home Affairs processing times for partner visas are indicative only, are not guaranteed and can change. Migrate2Australia recommends checking the Home Affairs family visa processing priorities and the current global processing times.
6. Citizenship fees increased from 1 July 2026
Migrate2Australia confirms the following standard citizenship fees for applications received from 1 July 2026, subject to the relevant application type:
- Citizenship by conferral : general eligibility: AUD 595
- Citizenship by descent: AUD 380
- Evidence of Australian citizenship: AUD 290
The applicable fee may depend on the form, concession, exemption or applicant circumstances. Migrate2Australia recommends checking the latest Form 1298i : Citizenship application fees immediately before lodging.
Citizenship application decisions and citizenship ceremonies are separate stages. Ceremony waiting periods vary between councils and locations. Migrate2Australia notes that Brisbane City Council has been associated with a queue of more than 7,200 approved applicants waiting for ceremonies. Applicants should confirm the current figure through the Department of Home Affairs ceremony wait-times tool.
Any Home Affairs citizenship processing time mentioned by Migrate2Australia is indicative only, is not guaranteed and can change. Ceremony scheduling is also affected by council capacity, venue availability and local administration. Eva Abdelmessiah recommends allowing for the separate ceremony stage when planning travel or formal citizenship commitments.
7. What applicants should do today
If you are pursuing an Australian Skilled Visa or a Skilled visa to Australia, Migrate2Australia recommends that you:
- Check whether your occupation and evidence match the relevant federal visa criteria.
- Confirm the current state or territory nomination settings.
- Review whether you are applying onshore or offshore.
- Prepare current English, skills assessment, employment and identity documents.
- Recheck Tasmania and South Australia announcements before submitting an ROI or nomination application.
If you are considering a Partner visa Australia application, Migrate2Australia recommends reviewing your relationship evidence, current visa conditions, location and intended visa subclass separately from skilled visa processing priorities. If you are preparing a citizenship application, confirm the correct form, fee and ceremony arrangements.
Book a Consultation with Migrate2Australia for obligation-free assistance with your Australian Skilled Visa, Partner visa Australia or citizenship position. Eva Abdelmessiah, the experienced Registered Migration Agent, has 20 years’ experience, has been registered since 2006 and holds MARN 0636719.
Sources : checked and dated 20 August 2026
Migrate2Australia prepared this update using official government and state migration sources available on 20 August 2026. All claims are stated as at the date of publication. State settings, federal allocations, fees, processing priorities and program dates are subject to change and must be rechecked before action is taken.
- Department of Home Affairs : Migration Program planning levels
- Department of Home Affairs : Skilled visa processing priorities
- Ministerial Direction 119 : official PDF
- Department of Home Affairs : Family visa processing priorities
- Department of Home Affairs : Partner visa frequently asked questions
- Department of Home Affairs : Global visa processing times
- Department of Home Affairs : Form 1298i citizenship fees
- Department of Home Affairs : Citizenship ceremony wait times
- Migration Tasmania
- Migration SA : Skilled migration program
- ACT Migration
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Migrate2Australia may collect personal information, including identity, contact, relationship, employment, health and immigration details, to respond to enquiries, assess eligibility, prepare migration services and communicate with clients. Migrate2Australia stores personal information using reasonable security measures and may disclose it where necessary to service providers, government authorities, professional advisers or where required by law. Read the Migrate2Australia Privacy Policy.
This article was prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by Migrate2Australia for professional migration communication. The article may be translated into Arabic after publication. Migrate2Australia confirms that the English version is authoritative, and any translation is provided for convenience only.
Migrate2Australia’s mandatory disclaimer: This information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Migration laws change frequently, and some reforms discussed are proposed or evolving. Visa outcomes remain at the discretion of the Department of Home Affairs.
Eva Abdelmessiah, Registered Migration Agent MARN 0636719
Book a consultation with Migrate2Australia for professional, obligation-free assistance.
