Four migration updates were confirmed on 22 September 2026. Two commenced immediately, Ministerial Direction 123 begins on 31 October 2026, and a Department systems outage is scheduled for 25–26 September.
1. Child visa postal address corrected
The Migration Legislation Amendment (Arrangements for Child Visa Applications) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/100) corrects the postal address used for Subclass 101 Child and Subclass 802 Child visa applications.
The corrected address is GPO Box 241, Melbourne VIC 3001, Australia. The previous wording incorrectly referred to Port Melbourne VIC 3008.
The correction applies to visa applications made on or after 22 September 2026. Applicants should use the current instrument and current Department instructions rather than relying on an older saved checklist or template.
2. Designated areas for condition 8549 remain unchanged
The Migration (Designated Areas) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/004) commenced on 22 September 2026. It replaces the 2016 instrument before that instrument’s scheduled sunset on 1 October 2026.
The instrument supports visa condition 8549 and has been remade in substantially the same form. It does not materially change the specified designated areas.
This remains relevant to affected provisional visa holders and certain Subclass 887 applications. A general description of an area as “regional” does not automatically establish that it is a designated area for condition 8549.
3. Ministerial Direction 123 changes character decision guidance
Ministerial Direction 123 replaces Direction 110 and commences on 31 October 2026. It guides delegates and the Administrative Review Tribunal when considering visa refusal or cancellation under section 501 of the Migration Act, and revocation of a mandatory cancellation under section 501CA.
The four primary considerations will be:
- protection of the Australian community from criminal or other serious conduct;
- whether the conduct constituted domestic or family violence;
- expectations of the Australian community; and
- the best interests of minor children in Australia, including child victims.
Important practical changes
- Ties to Australia move down in weight. The strength, nature and duration of a person’s Australian ties move from a primary consideration to an “other consideration”.
- Domestic and family violence is defined more broadly. The definition expressly addresses conduct including stalking, image-based abuse, breaches of court orders and a broader range of relationships.
- Hate-related conduct receives greater emphasis. Hate crime conduct, hate speech, incitement and certain association grounds are addressed more directly.
- Seriousness factors expand. Certain drug and property offences attracting sentences of five years or more are identified as conduct viewed very seriously.
- Business impact is removed. Impact on Australian business interests is no longer listed as an other consideration weighing in favour of the person.
- The future-risk wording is lower. Several Annex A provisions move from whether a person “would” or “will” engage in conduct to whether the person “might” engage in it.
4. Department systems maintenance
The Department has advised that ImmiAccount, LEGENDcom, VEVO and other online services will be unavailable from 8:00 pm Friday 25 September to 12 noon Saturday 26 September 2026 AEST.
Do not plan to lodge an application, upload a time-critical response or complete a visa-status check during the outage. Where a visa, statutory response period or other deadline is approaching, complete the work before the maintenance window and retain evidence of submission.
What should you do now?
- Child visa applicants: confirm the correct current postal address before sending documents.
- Condition 8549 holders: check the exact postcode and retain evidence of where you lived, worked and studied.
- People affected by section 501: obtain individual advice on how Direction 123 may change the presentation of the case from 31 October.
- Anyone facing a deadline: submit before the Department’s scheduled outage.
Contact Cornerstone Migration on 07 3737 7649 for an individual assessment.
Nathan Joo
Managing Director and Principal Migration Agent
Cornerstone Migration Australia
MARN 1173091
Information checked on 22 September 2026. This article provides general information only and is not individual migration or legal advice. Read the relevant instrument or direction in full and obtain advice about your circumstances before acting.
