Australian Immigration Updates: April 2025

Your monthly immigration brief from Hannan Tew Lawyers

May 06, 2025

LATEST IMMIGRATION NEWS

💵 From 1 July 2025, citizenship application fees will rise in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The increases will affect various citizenship application types, with conferral application fees set to rise from $560 to $575, and descent applications rising from $360 to $370. Visa application fees are also set to rise, however, this is yet to be confirmed by the Department. We’ll make sure to provide an update on this once we hear more.

🖥️ The Department of Home Affairs recently announced that online services now support paper-based Parent visa applications, allowing applicants to import their application into ImmiAccount to view correspondence, upload supporting documents and track the status of their application.

⏰ From 1 August 2025, the ART will implement new case management processes aimed at improving efficiency and reducing delays. The changes include early case directions, more consistent timetabling, and clearer communication, particularly for the benefit of self-represented parties. It is expected that most cases will proceed to hearing within nine months of lodgement. These changes will apply to cases where both parties are represented, therefore won’t affect most migration/refugee decisions.

WHATS ON?

Best Lawyers 2026 (in Immigration Law)

We are very pleased to announce that Hannan Tew’s Partners, Jordan Tew and Mihan Hannan, have been recognised in “The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2026” list for their expertise in Immigration Law. Both Jordan and Mihan have been formally recognised on the list since the 2025 edition of the publication.

Hannan Tew Lawyers is a full service Australian immigration law firm assisting individuals, asylum seekers, as well as start-ups, ASX-listed companies, and multi-national global corporations on mobility solutions.

Best Lawyers is an peer-reviewed resource for the global legal profession and is widely acknowledged by clients and the legal industry.

For more information, visit The Best Lawyers™.

BLOG SPOTLIGHT

What sanctions can apply to Standard Business Sponsors and Temporary Activities Sponsors?

Looking up at the Citibank skyscraper in midtown manhattan.

If your business holds, or has held within the last 5 years, a valid Standard Business Sponsorship or Temporary Activities Sponsorship, you must comply with all the sponsorship obligations and all relevant Australian immigration and workplace laws. A failure to do so can result in serious consequences for both your business and the people you sponsor.

The Department of Home Affairs (the Department), often working alongside the Australian Border Force (ABF) and agencies such as the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), actively monitors sponsors and sponsored visa holders. This applies not only while you’re a sponsor, but for up to 5 years after your sponsorship ends.

Monitoring can include:

  • Requesting for information and records

  • Conducting site visits to your business premises, with or without prior notice

  • Sharing data with other agencies and government bodies

Failure to cooperate is considered a breach of your sponsorship obligations. Learn more about what constitutes a sponsorship obligation breach and how these are assessed below ⬇️