The Migration Amendment (Status of Forces Agreement – United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2025 introduce significant changes for members of the UK armed forces and their civilian component. These amendments, which align with the Australia-UK Defence and Security Cooperation Agreement, ensure that UK personnel and their dependents can enter Australia without the need to apply for a visa.

Under the new regulations, UK armed forces members and their civilian staff will be granted a Special Purpose Visa (SPV), streamlining their entry for cooperative defence activities. This reflects Australia’s commitment to the Australia-UK Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), signed in March 2024.

The amendment will come into effect once the agreement is formally implemented, marking a milestone in strengthening defence relations between Australia and the United Kingdom.

This legislative update is a positive step forward in facilitating the entry of personnel engaged in international defence cooperation.

Source: Migration-Amendment-Status-of-Forces-Agreement—UK-and-Northern-Ireland-Regs-2025.pdf and

Migration-Amendment-Status-of-Forces-Agreement—UK-and-Northern-Ireland-Regs-2025-explanatory-statement.pdf