- Hannan Tew Newsletter
- Posts
- Australian Immigration Updates: August 2025
Australian Immigration Updates: August 2025
Your monthly immigration brief from Hannan Tew Lawyers
LATEST IMMIGRATION NEWS
🔈️ The Department of Home Affairs (the Department) has recently updated the list of accepted English language tests for various visa applications. The number of recognised test providers has increased from five to nine, with the following additional providers now accepted as evidence of English proficiency for visa applications:
International English Language Testing System General Training (IELTS General Training), including One Skill Retake (OSR);
LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUAGECERT Academic);
Michigan English Test (MET), including Single Section Retake (SSR);
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General).
For a detailed overview of the required test scores at each English level, you can read our blog here. Importantly, these changes will apply only to tests taken on or after 7 August 2025. Tests taken before this date will remain valid for up to three years from the date of completion.
🌏️ As part of the new Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Australia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), UAE citizens are now exempt from Labour Market Testing as part of Australia’s international trade obligations, effective as of 26 August 2025.
💼 Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) have begun consultations to determine the 2025 Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and is collecting feedback for consultation until 26 September 2025. Over 800 skilled occupations at Skill Levels 1-3 are being reviewed for potential inclusion on the CSOL, encompassing the majority of occupations within these levels. Following consultation and feedback from stakeholders, JSA will provide advice to the Government for consideration. Reach out to your Hannan Tew contact if you wish to make submissions for specific occupations.
APAC Insider Legal Awards 2025 (Most Innovative Immigration Law Firm)
We are very pleased to announce that Hannan Tew has been recognised in APAC Insider’s 2025 edition of the APAC Legal Awards as the “Most Innovative Immigration Law Firm”.
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.
Launched in 2015, APAC Insider is a leading platform for business insights in the Asia-Pacific region. Nominees for APAC Insider’s Legal Awards are assessed against various criteria, including business performance, longevity, diversification, growth, significant innovations, and feedback from stakeholders.
For more information, visit APAC Insider™.
WHAT’S ON?
Welcome to the team Ryan!
We are very pleased to welcome Ryan Villasis to the Hannan Tew team!
Ryan brings over six years of experience in client support and administration within the healthcare and education sectors, including playing a key role in navigating complex challenges during COVID-19 vaccine trials. Drawing on his extensive experience, Ryan excels at collaborating with diverse teams and ensuring operations run effortlessly. When he’s not working, you’ll find Ryan spoiling his four fluffy Persian cats or jet-setting to new international destinations.
Head to our website here to learn more about the team behind Hannan Tew.
BLOG SPOTLIGHT
What is a De Facto Relationship for Australian Partner Visas?
For many couples, a Partner visa is the pathway to living together permanently in Australia. A Partner visa allows an Australian citizen or permanent resident (or “eligible New Zealand citizen”) to sponsor their partner for a visa on the basis of their genuine relationship as spouses or de facto partners.
Merely being in a relationship with someone does not guarantee you will be able to meet the de facto requirement – there are strict legislative criteria, and substantial evidence obligations that must be met.
Read our blog below to learn how a de facto relationship is defined in the context of Partner visa applications, how long applicants must have been in a de facto relationship before they can apply, and the various aspects of the relationship that will be assessed.
