Navigating Migration Reform
Zest Legal recently attended the 2025 Immigration Law Conference hosted by the Law Council of Australia in Canberra. The theme, “Challenges in Migration Law,” reflected the current climate of reform in Australian immigration policy, including anticipated legislative changes, regulatory tightening, and a greater focus on compliance — all taking place in the lead-up to the next federal election.
This high-level conference brought together representatives from the Department of Home Affairs, the Administrative Review Tribunal, and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia to provide updates directly relevant to sponsors and visa applicants.
At Zest Legal, our priority is to keep our clients informed, compliant, and confident. Below we have summarised the key takeaways and what you need to know.
1. Decisions Are Being Made Faster – With Less Communication
The Department of Home Affairs confirmed that many decisions — including for 407 Training and 500 Student visas among others — are now being made based strictly on the material submitted at lodgement. There is minimal to no engagement with applicants requesting further information or documents prior to refusal or approval.
This means that applications must be decision-ready at the time of lodgement, with all required documentation and evidence presented clearly and persuasively. At Zest Legal, we craft robust, front-loaded submissions tailored to your occupation, business structure, and visa stream to meet all immigration requirements at the time of lodgement.
2. Backlog Management Remains a Priority
The Department continues to prioritise clearing visa application backlogs created by policy and procedural shifts over the past 12 months. While this is positive news for applicants with long-pending matters, decisions will heavily rely on the accuracy and sufficiency of the material already submitted. If your matter is complex — for example, involving skills assessments, work experience, Schedule 3 issues, or compliance concerns — we can assist by reviewing the case history and providing supplementary legal submissions or responses where appropriate.
3. Labour Market Testing (LMT) Validity Period Extended
LMT remains a non-negotiable element for employer-sponsored applications, particularly Subclass 482 TSS visa nominations. A key change announced is the increase in the validity period for LMT evidence from 4 to 6 months. This allows sponsors more flexibility in timing their nominations, but also introduces risks if compliance is not closely managed. Our team ensures that advertising meets all legislative requirements and is properly aligned with the nominated role, salary level, and ANZSCO classification.
4. Internal Benchmarks for Visa Processing Times
Departmental officers now have set internal time benchmarks for assessing visa applications. This includes approximately 17 minutes for Student visas and 22 minutes for Subclass 407 Training visas. While these are internal standards only, they reinforce the need for concise, well-structured, and complete applications. As such the bar for quality and clarity has never been higher. Applications that are vague, unsupported, or non-compliant will likely face refusal without further opportunity for clarification. Zest Legal’s approach is strategic, thorough, and legally sound — helping clients get it right the first time.
How Zest Legal Can Help
As the Australian government continues to recalibrate its migration program, it is more important than ever to work with lawyers who understand both the legal framework and the real-world processes that govern immigration decisions. Whether you’re a business looking to sponsor overseas talent through the Subclass 482 visa, or an organisation supporting professional development via the Subclass 407 Training visa, Zest Legal is here to deliver strategic, high-quality legal support tailored to your needs. We assist clients across a wide range of industries — including healthcare, construction, technology, and hospitality — providing end-to-end assistance with workforce planning, labour market compliance, evidence preparation, nomination drafting, and visa lodgement. From initial consultation through to visa approval, we prioritise precision, efficiency, and successful outcomes.
📞 Book a complimentary discovery call today: www.zestlegal.com.au
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