Migrate2Australia’s morning update for Tuesday, 11 August 2026, covers three important developments for applicants and employers: Tasmania’s 2026–27 skilled migration program opening, new family visa processing priorities under Ministerial Direction 117, and a 50% reduction to certain FNQ DAMA ENS 186 endorsement fees.
Migrate2Australia’s experienced Registered Migration Agent, Eva Abdelmessiah, has 20 years’ experience and has been registered since 2006 under MARN 0636719. The information below is structured for applicants considering an Australian Skilled Visa, a Skilled visa to Australia, a Partner visa Australia pathway, or regional employer sponsorship.
1. Tasmania 2026–27 program: webinar in two days
Migrate2Australia confirms that Migration Tasmania has scheduled its 2026–27 Skilled Migration Program webinar for Thursday, 13 August 2026. Published program information indicates that the free online webinar will run from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm AEST, with no pre-registration required.
Migrate2Australia recommends that prospective applicants monitor the official Migration Tasmania website and attend the webinar before preparing a state nomination strategy. The session is expected to address the new program’s allocation, selection priorities, ranking or invitation process, overseas applicant requirements and policy clarifications.
Migrate2Australia understands that the 2026–27 program is expected to open for new Registrations of Interest (ROIs) on Monday, 17 August 2026. Weekly invitation rounds are expected to commence from Thursday, 20 August 2026, subject to the state’s final program settings and operational instructions.
For applicants preparing for an Australian Skilled Visa, Migrate2Australia identifies the following immediate actions:
- Migrate2Australia recommends checking whether your occupation, skills assessment, English evidence and employment history are current.
- Migrate2Australia recommends reviewing your SkillSelect Expression of Interest for accuracy before the Tasmanian ROI window opens.
- Migrate2Australia advises applicants not to claim points or attributes that cannot be supported by documentary evidence.
- Migrate2Australia recommends preparing certified identity, qualification, employment and residence documents in advance.
- Migrate2Australia reminds applicants that an ROI or invitation does not guarantee state nomination or an Australian visa.
Migrate2Australia also recommends reviewing its 2026 guide to state nomination and the subclass 190 visa. Tasmania’s priorities may not be identical to those of other states, and eligibility can depend on the applicant’s location, occupation, work history, English ability and other attributes.
2. Ministerial Direction 117 changes family visa processing priorities
Migrate2Australia notes that Ministerial Direction No. 117 replaced Ministerial Direction No. 102 on 25 July 2026. The Department of Home Affairs states that Direction 117 governs the order in which certain Family visa applications are considered under the Migration Act 1958.
Migrate2Australia’s summary of the Department’s current family visa processing priorities is as follows:
- Migrate2Australia notes that the highest broad priority applies to Family visa applications lodged while the primary applicant is in Australia, where the visa can be granted while the applicant remains in Australia.
- Migrate2Australia notes that lower priority generally applies where the primary applicant is outside Australia at the time of application or must be outside Australia at the time of grant.
- Migrate2Australia notes that, within the relevant categories, ministerial intervention cases are considered first.
- Migrate2Australia notes that partner and dependent child applications follow ministerial intervention cases.
- Migrate2Australia notes that orphan relative, contributory parent, carer and other parent or family applications follow in the order specified by Direction 117.
For Partner visa Australia applicants, Migrate2Australia highlights the Department’s specific statement that onshore Partner visas : subclasses 820 and 801 : receive the highest priority among Partner visa applications. Lower priority applies to offshore Prospective Marriage visas subclass 300 and offshore Partner visas subclasses 309 and 100.
Migrate2Australia stresses that a processing priority is not a visa approval, a guaranteed timeframe or a waiver of legal requirements. Applicants must still satisfy the relevant relationship, health, character, sponsorship and other legislative criteria.
Migrate2Australia also notes that priority processing requests are exceptional. The Department may consider a request where special compassionate circumstances and compelling reasons justify departing from the usual order. The Department states that most priority requests cannot be approved and that complete supporting evidence must be provided.
Applicants seeking a Partner visa Australia pathway should use the Department’s Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions and maintain accurate information in ImmiAccount. Migrate2Australia can assist with assessing the appropriate subclass, organising relationship evidence and identifying issues that may affect eligibility or processing.
3. FNQ DAMA: 50% reduction for associated ENS 186 positions
Migrate2Australia highlights an important fee change under the Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement. The Cairns Chamber of Commerce is the Designated Area Representative for the FNQ DAMA.
Migrate2Australia confirms that the standard FNQ DAMA endorsement fee is currently:
- Migrate2Australia notes that the fee is $885 including GST per position for Cairns Chamber members.
- Migrate2Australia notes that the fee is $985 including GST per position for non-members.
- Migrate2Australia notes that SID subclass 482 and ENS subclass 186 positions are treated as separate positions for fee purposes.
Migrate2Australia further notes that the ENS 186 endorsement fee is reduced by 50% where the ENS 186 visa option is requested at the same time as the associated SID 482 position. On the published fee amounts, this produces an endorsement fee of $442.50 for members and $492.50 for non-members for the associated ENS 186 position.
Migrate2Australia cautions that the reduction does not apply when the ENS 186 position is requested separately. In that situation, the full applicable endorsement fee applies. The reduction is also an endorsement fee measure; it does not remove government nomination charges, visa application charges, professional fees or other costs.
Migrate2Australia recommends that employers review the current FNQ DAMA Information Guide before lodging an endorsement request. Employers must still demonstrate genuine business need, local recruitment efforts, financial viability, an eligible position and compliance with Australian workplace obligations.
Migrate2Australia also notes that the FNQ DAMA may provide access to SID 482, ENS 186 and SESR 494 pathways, subject to the relevant occupation, labour agreement, nomination and visa requirements. A regional pathway is not automatically suitable for every worker or employer, so professional assessment should occur before a position or visa option is selected.
4. Queensland remains closed for ROIs
Migrate2Australia reports that Queensland’s Registrations of Interest for the 2025–26 State Nominated Migration Program remain closed because available nomination places were filled. The official Migration Queensland skilled migration update states that the Queensland Government is awaiting advice about future program settings, including nomination allocations.
Migrate2Australia clarifies an important distinction: the official update does not confirm that a separate 2026–27 Queensland program has opened and then closed. Instead, the 2025–26 ROI process remains closed, while the future opening date, requirements and allocations are pending publication.
Applicants considering a Skilled visa to Australia should not rely on social media claims that Queensland’s 2026–27 program is already closed. Migrate2Australia recommends checking the official Queensland website for the opening announcement and avoiding the submission of outdated or invalid ROI forms.
Migrate2Australia recommends using this waiting period to update your SkillSelect EOI, confirm your occupation and points claims, obtain or renew a skills assessment where appropriate, and prepare evidence of employment and residence. Preparation may reduce delays when Queensland releases its next program instructions, but it cannot guarantee selection.
5. Migrate2Australia’s practical checklist for 11 August 2026
Migrate2Australia recommends that applicants and employers complete the following checks today:
- Migrate2Australia recommends registering for or attending the Tasmania webinar on 13 August 2026.
- Migrate2Australia recommends preparing for Tasmania’s expected ROI opening on 17 August 2026.
- Migrate2Australia recommends reviewing whether an onshore or offshore Partner visa Australia pathway is appropriate.
- Migrate2Australia recommends checking whether MD117 affects the likely processing priority of your family visa application.
- Migrate2Australia recommends calculating the FNQ DAMA endorsement fee based on membership status and whether the ENS 186 position is requested with the associated SID 482 position.
- Migrate2Australia recommends treating Queensland as unavailable for new ROIs until Migration Queensland publishes further instructions.
Book a consultation with the experienced Registered Migration Agent, Eva Abdelmessiah, to receive obligation-free guidance based on your circumstances. Eva Abdelmessiah has 20 years’ experience, has been registered since 2006 and holds MARN 0636719. Book a Consultation with Migrate2Australia.
Eva Abdelmessiah, Registered Migration Agent MARN 0636719
Book a Consultation with Migrate2Australia.
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.
