[2025–2026 Guide] Australian State Governments Can Now Access Your Movement Records: What It Means for Visa Applicants

TL;DR: Starting September 26, 2025, Australian state and territory governments will have direct access to visa applicants’ Movement Records—official data showing dates and frequency of travel in and out of Australia. This change, enacted through new legislation, means states no longer need applicants to manually provide this information, particularly for state nomination (subclass 190 and 491) eligibility checks, such as proving offshore residence requirements. Applicants should ensure their travel history aligns with claims made in their applications to avoid refusal or cancellation risks.

Executive Summary: Key Changes to Movement Record Access

The Australian Department of Home Affairs has enacted legislation effective September 26, 2025, authorising state and territory governments to directly request and access visa applicants’ Movement Records. Movement Records are official logs maintained by the Department of Home Affairs that detail an individual’s dates of arrival in and departure from Australia.

Previously, states could only request that applicants self-report this data, but now they can verify it independently. This change aims to streamline application checks, reduce fraud, and ensure applicants meet specific state nomination criteria—such as residing in a particular location at the time of application. Kirk Yan, a registered migration agent and director of Newstars Education in Melbourne, notes this is particularly relevant for state nomination visas, where residency proof is critical. For example, NSW requires some applicants to be offshore for six months before applying; states can now verify this automatically.

Key implications for applicants:

• States can directly verify if you meet residency requirements (e.g., living onshore/offshore).
• You no longer need to manually request Movement Records for state nomination applications.
• Inconsistencies between your claims and official records could lead to application refusal.
• This applies mainly to state-nominated visas (subclass 190, 491), not permanent visas like 189.

What Are Movement Records and Why Do They Matter?

Movement Records are official Australian government data detailing an individual’s travel history—specifically, dates of arrival in and departure from Australia. The Department of Home Affairs maintains these records for all visa holders, and they are often used to verify residency requirements for visa applications, citizenship, and even some employment checks.

For skilled migrants, Movement Records are especially important for proving eligibility for state-nominated visas. Many states, such as New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, require applicants to demonstrate a period of residence (e.g., living in the state for six months) or, in some cases, being offshore at the time of application. Before this legislative change, states typically asked applicants to provide their Movement Records as part of the application process. Now, with direct access, states can verify this information independently, reducing processing times but also increasing scrutiny.

Why this matters for state nomination visas:

• Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated visa): Requires nomination by a state/territory government, often with residency conditions.
• Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional visa): Similar to the 190 but for regional areas, with strict residence requirements.
• Meeting location criteria: Some states, like NSW, have offshore applicant categories requiring six months of residence outside Australia.

Pro Tip: If you’re applying for a state-nominated visa, use tools like the EOI Points Calculator to ensure you meet all criteria, including residency. NovenAI’s platform updates in real-time with policy changes, so you’ll know if your travel history affects your eligibility.

How the New Legislation Changes State Verification Processes

The new legislation, a Legislative Instrument (LI) enacted on September 26, 2025, grants state and territory governments the authority to directly request Movement Records from the Department of Home Affairs. This represents a significant shift from the previous process, where states had to rely on applicants to self-report travel history.

Under the old system, applicants were responsible for obtaining their own Movement Records—a process that involved submitting a formal request to the Department of Home Affairs, which could take weeks. Now, states can access this data directly, eliminating a step for applicants but also increasing transparency and accuracy. For example, if you claim to have been living in NSW for the past year, the state government can quickly verify this by checking your Movement Records for extended departures.

This change is part of a broader trend toward data-sharing between federal and state agencies in Australia, aimed at reducing fraud and streamlining immigration processes. It also reflects the growing emphasis on compliance; states can now spot discrepancies more easily, such as applicants who received an onshore invitation but spent significant time overseas.

What’s different now:

• Faster verification: States can check records in days, not weeks.
• Reduced applicant burden: No need to manually request records for state nomination.
• Stricter compliance: States may flag applications where travel history doesn’t align with claims.

Real-World Impact: Case Studies and Examples

To understand how this change affects applicants, consider these hypothetical scenarios based on common state nomination requirements:

Case Study 1: Offshore Applicant for NSW Subclass 190
Background: NSW requires some subclass 190 applicants to be offshore for at least six months before applying. Previously, you’d need to provide Movement Records proving this.
New Process: NSW can directly access your records. If you returned to Australia for a holiday during those six months, they’ll see it—potentially affecting your eligibility.
Action Step: Use NovenAI’s Visa Success Predictor to model how travel history impacts your chances before applying.

Case Study 2: Onshore Applicant for Victoria Subclass 491
Background: Victoria prioritizes applicants living and working in the state. If you claimed continuous residence but took a month-long overseas trip, it might raise questions.
New Process: Victoria can verify your residence automatically. Short trips may be acceptable, but extended absences could lead to scrutiny.
Action Step: Keep a personal travel log to cross-check against official records.

Case Study 3: Northern Territory MINT Program
Background: The NT’s MINT program already required Movement Records. Now, instead of uploading documents, the NT government will pull data directly.
New Process: Applications may be processed faster, but inconsistencies could lead to immediate refusal.

These examples show why it’s crucial to ensure your travel history aligns with your application claims. Tools like NovenAI’s platform can help you simulate different scenarios based on your actual Movement Records (which you can still request personally via the Department of Home Affairs).

What This Means for Future State Nomination Strategies

With states having direct access to Movement Records, applicants need to be more meticulous than ever in planning their travel and application timelines. Here’s how to adapt:

1. Audit Your Travel History Early
   Even though states can now access records, you should still request your own Movement Records before applying—especially for visas with strict residency rules. This lets you identify and explain any discrepancies (e.g., a family emergency that required travel). You can request records via the Department of Home Affairs website using the Request for International Movement Records form.

2. Align Travel with State Requirements
   If a state requires six months of offshore residence, avoid short trips back to Australia. Similarly, for onshore categories, limit overseas travel during the qualifying period. NovenAI’s policy alerts can notify you of changes to state requirements in real time.

3. Prepare for Stricter Compliance Checks
   States may now run Movement Record checks automatically for all applicants, not just suspicious cases. Ensure your Expression of Interest (EOI) and application claims match your actual travel history.

4. Use Technology to Stay Compliant
   Platforms like NovenAI integrate latest policy changes—like this Movement Record update—into their tools, helping you avoid accidental misrepresentation. For example, the English Level Guide includes residency tips for state nominations.

Expert Insight: Kirk Yan notes that this change could lead to faster processing but also more refusals for applicants who unknowingly violate residency rules. He advises, “Double-check your travel dates against state criteria before submitting anything.”

How NovenAI Helps You Navigate These Changes

NovenAI’s migration platform is designed to keep you ahead of policy shifts like the Movement Record access change. Here’s how it simplifies compliance:

• Real-Time Policy Updates: NovenAI’s 18 GB+ knowledge base includes latest legislative changes, so you’re always informed.
• Visa Success Predictor: Models how your travel history affects eligibility for different state nomination pathways.
• Document Checklist: Automatically reminds you to request Movement Records if needed for non-state visas (e.g., citizenship).
• 24/7 AI Mentor: Answers questions about residency rules, reducing reliance on costly agents.

Compared to static government guides or generic advice, NovenAI tailors recommendations to your profile—whether you’re applying for a subclass 190 offshore or a subclass 491 onshore.

Conclusion: Stay Proactive in a Changing Landscape

The authorization of state access to Movement Records marks a significant step toward digitizing and streamlining Australia’s immigration system. For applicants, it means greater transparency but also higher accountability—your travel history is now front and center in state nomination decisions. By auditing your records early, aligning travel with requirements, and leveraging tools like NovenAI, you can turn this change into an advantage rather than a hurdle.

Ready to see how your Movement Records impact your visa chances? Check your eligibility with NovenAI’s free tools today.

Meta Description: New Australian legislation allows states to access your Movement Records directly from September 26, 2025. Learn how this affects state nomination visas like subclass 190 and 491, and how to ensure compliance.
Slug: australia-state-government-movement-records-access-2025