At DMS, we specialize in helping individuals and families explore and optimize various migration options to Australia. Our mission is to simplify the complex immigration process and empower our clients to make informed decisions that align with their goals and aspirations. Whether you are considering skilled migration, family sponsorship, student visas, or any other pathway to Australia, we have the expertise to assist you.
Our goal with this channel is to disseminate accurate and reliable information on Australian Immigration in the form of podcasts and interviews on a regular basis.
#53. Subclass 482 - Moving from Core Skills to Specialist Skills
Episode Summary:
If you’re on a subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa under the Core Skills stream, what happens if your circumstances change?
Let’s say you move to a higher-paying position, or your employer changes your role. Perhaps you move to a new employer, and your new position meets the requirements for the Specialist Skills stream.
Can you simply move from Core Skills stream to Specialist Skills?
It’s not as simple as meeting the income threshold for specialist skills stream. The regulations are much more nuanced than that.
In this episode, we break down what "moving from Core Skills to Specialist Skills" actually means in practice.
Final thoughts:
If an applicant holding a 482 visa in either of stream for 2 years, they are eligible to transition into temporary residence transition stream (subclass 186), provided the employer is willing to sponsor them. Periods of unpaid leave, unemployment or work outside of the sponsored arrangement, won't count towards your eligibility criteria. Your nominating employer must offer genuine full time employment for 2 years after permanent resident visa grant.
Keywords:
Subclass 482, Skills in Demand Visa
Main Topics:
• (00:00) - Core skills vs specialist skills
• (04:15) - Moving over to a specialist skills stream
• (07:00) - New employer application requirement
• (09:45) - Processing priorities for subclass 482 visa
• (12:40) - Things to know for PR eligibility
Additional Resources:
• Skills in Demand Visa - Subclass 482 (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skills-in-demand-visa-subclass-482?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
• Ministerial Direction 121 (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/visa-processing-priorities/skilled-visa)
- Links -
If you are seeking immigration advice, would like to have a chat about your application, or any other matter related to your PR, call us at +61 415 882 542.
Amitava Deb | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amitava-deb/)
For Debika Migration Services:
DMS Website (https://www.dmsmigration.com/)
DMS LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/dmsmigration/)
DMS YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@DebikaMigrationServices)
DMS Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/dmsmigration/)
DMS Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/debikamigrationservices/)
If you have any feedback or suggestions on future topics you'd like us to explore, contact us at marketing@dmsmigration.com (mailto:marketing@dmsmigration.com)
14 Sept 2026
#52 - Ministerial Direction 117
Episode Summary:
On 25 July 2026, Ministerial Direction 117 came into effect and replaced Ministerial Direction 102. It gives highest priority to Family visa applications made while the primary applicant was in Australia, for a visa that can be granted while the applicant is in Australia.
It then sets out different priority levels for different types of family visas. There’s a lot of information — and a lot of confusion — around this change.
In this episode, we’re cutting through the complexity and hopefully we can provide some clarity on what has changed, who is likely to be affected, how the priority system works.
Final thoughts:
Don't rush to get on shore and lodge a family visa application while in Australia. All family visa applications are now subject to condition 8503 - which means you cannot lodge another application when onshore. 8503 waivers are rare and are not granted easily. Even though MD117 puts partner and dependent visas on the higher priority list, higher priority does not guarantee faster processing times.
Keywords:
Subclass 804, Subclass 801, Subclass 820, Subclass 884, Subclass 864, Aged Parent Visa, Partner Visa, Contributory Aged Parent Visa
Main Topics:
• (00:00) - Changes in Ministerial Direction 117
• (05:12) - Applicant's location in processing priority
• (06:38) - Partner Visa already lodged
• (07:24) - Parent Visa processing time
• (09:12) - Does higher priority mean faster processing time?
• (10:35) - Things to be aware of about MD117
Additional Resources:
• Family Visa Processing Times (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/visa-processing-priorities/family-visa)
• Ministerial Direction 117 (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/Visa-subsite/files/md-117.pdf)
- Links -
If you are seeking immigration advice, would like to have a chat about your application, or any other matter related to your PR, call us at +61 415 882 542.
Amitava Deb | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amitava-deb/)
For Debika Migration Services:
DMS Website (https://www.dmsmigration.com/)
DMS LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/dmsmigration/)
DMS YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@DebikaMigrationServices)
DMS Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/dmsmigration/)
DMS Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/debikamigrationservices/)
If you have any feedback or suggestions on future topics you'd like us to explore, contact us at marketing@dmsmigration.com (mailto:marketing@dmsmigration.com)
11 Aug 2026
#51 - Imminent Changes to Family Visa
Episode Summary:
The Albanese government is looking at ways to bring down migration numbers and get greater control over who comes into Australia and when. The ABC and The Guardian have reported that among the measures being discussed are tougher rules around family visas — potentially affecting partners, children and parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents.
So today, we're going to unpack what is actually being proposed, what we know — and what we don't know yet — and, most importantly, what these changes could mean for Australian families trying to reunite with the people they love.
Final thoughts:
The most important thing to remember is that these are proposed changes, not a completely new family-visa system that has already come into effect. But the direction is clear. The government wants greater control over migration numbers, and family visas are now part of that conversation.
Keywords:
Subclass 804, Subclass 801, Subclass 820, Subclass 884, Subclass 864, Aged Parent Visa, Partner Visa, Contributory Aged Parent Visa
Main Topics:
• (00:00) - Restructing of Family Migration
• (04:46) - Conundrum for Citizens
• (07:12) - Weaken Skilled Migration Program
• (10:35) - Political Pressure
Additional Resources:
• ABC article (Family Visa) (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-05/labor-migration-policy-tony-burke-partner-visas/107000272)
• The Guardian article (Family Visa) (https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/aug/06/performative-reductions-labor-mps-and-business-groups-urge-burke-against-sweeping-immigration-changes)
- Links -
If you are seeking immigration advice, would like to have a chat about your application, or any other matter related to your PR, call us at +61 415 882 542.
Amitava Deb | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amitava-deb/)
For Debika Migration Services:
DMS Website (https://www.dmsmigration.com/)
DMS LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/dmsmigration/)
DMS YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@DebikaMigrationServices)
DMS Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/dmsmigration/)
DMS Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/debikamigrationservices/)
If you have any feedback or suggestions on future topics you'd like us to explore, contact us at marketing@dmsmigration.com (mailto:marketing@dmsmigration.com)
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3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 78 / 100
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Engagement
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