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Chris Spentzaris

Photo of Chris Spentzaris
Photo of Chris Spentzaris
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Chris Spentzaris

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  • AustraliaAustralia
  • New ZealandNew Zealand

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  • English
  • Greek

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[email protected]

T:+ 61 3 9613 9301

F:+ 61 3 9613 9300

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Fragomen (Australia) Pty Ltd.

Level 19, 500 Collins St

Melbourne VIC 3000

Australia

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  • Greek

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[email protected]

T:+ 61 3 9613 9301

F:+ 61 3 9613 9300

Fragomen in Melbourne, Australia

Fragomen (Australia) Pty Ltd.

Level 19, 500 Collins St

Melbourne VIC 3000

Australia

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Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Greek

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[email protected]

T:+ 61 3 9613 9301

F:+ 61 3 9613 9300

Fragomen in Melbourne, Australia

Fragomen (Australia) Pty Ltd.

Level 19, 500 Collins St

Melbourne VIC 3000

Australia

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With more than 30 years of dedicated immigration law experience, Chris co-leads Fragomen’s Asia Pacific Compliance and Advisory, Compliance and Government Relations practice. In tandem, he also leads Australia’s Private Client practice and is actively involved in spearheading the firm’s WorkRight technology, Fragomen’s global solution to simplify the process of verifying an employee’s right to work.

Serving clients in major industries at the backbone of the Australian economy, including education, technology, finance and healthcare, Chris intimately understands the needs of Australian businesses and how the country’s immigration system can support these needs. Chris is particularly adept at solving complex issues, so clients rely on him to handle their most challenging cases requiring creative immigration pathways and solutions.

Chris frequently advises boards of companies on governance and compliance matters, assisting them in navigating their obligations, identifying risks within their immigration programs and evaluating existing processes and systems for any gaps to ensure compliance. He also advises on labor shortages, workforce planning, business recruitment practices, the extent of global competition in attracting and retaining skills and global talent, and the use of ANZSCO occupation classifications in dictating Skilled Occupation Lists.

Currently the Deputy Chair of the Migration Law Committee of the Law Council of Australia and a committee member of the Migration Law Committee of the Law Institute of Victoria, Chris has a long history of working with the government to contribute to major policy developments, discussions and decisions. His invaluable network—particularly his longstanding relationships with the Department of Home Affairs and government agencies—allows him to work collaboratively with his clients as their trusted strategic partner while simultaneously impacting policy change for the benefit of Australia’s migration programs.

Chris is dedicated to volunteering with Justice Connect, an independent, not-for-profit organization with offices in Melbourne and Sydney that is committed to expanding access to justice by providing pro bono legal services to people experiencing disadvantage and the community organizations that support them. It does so by matching organizations and individuals who are ineligible for legal aid or cannot afford a lawyer with lawyers and barristers willing to act on a pro bono basis.

Chris speaks English and Greek.

Currently the Deputy Chair of the Migration Law Committee of the Law Council of Australia and a committee member of the Migration Law Committee of the Law Institute of Victoria, Chris has a long history of working with the government to contribute to major policy developments, discussions and decisions. His invaluable network—particularly his longstanding relationships with the Department of Home Affairs and government agencies—allows him to work collaboratively with his clients as their trusted strategic partner while simultaneously impacting policy change for the benefit of Australia’s migration programs.

Chris is dedicated to volunteering with Justice Connect, an independent, not-for-profit organization with offices in Melbourne and Sydney that is committed to expanding access to justice by providing pro bono legal services to people experiencing disadvantage and the community organizations that support them. It does so by matching organizations and individuals who are ineligible for legal aid or cannot afford a lawyer with lawyers and barristers willing to act on a pro bono basis.

Chris speaks English and Greek.

Education

  • La Trobe University, LL.B. (Hons.), 1999
  • La Trobe University, Bachelor of Legal Studies, 1993

More from Chris

Admissions

Immigration Credentials: Accredited Specialist – Immigration Law, Law Institute of Victoria

Court Admissions: Barrister and Solicitor, Supreme Court of Victoria, Barrister and Solicitor, High Court of Australia

Awards

Listed in Best Lawyers in Australia, Immigration Law, 2018 to 2027

Professional accomplishments

Deputy Chair, Migration Law Committee of the Law Council of Australia 

Chair, Skilled Working Group, Migration Law Committee, Law Institute of Victoria

Committee Member, Executive Committee of the Administrative Law and Human Rights sections of the Law Institute of Victoria

Fellow Member, Migration Institute of Australia

Member, Law Institute of Victoria

Member, Law Council of Australia

Experience

Assisted corporations to manage compliance with business sponsorship obligations and Labor Agreements.

Briefed human resources managers and senior managers on immigration related issues, including compliance obligations.

Advised corporations and individuals on complex technical issues regarding immigration visa eligibility, policies and related planning.

Assisted individuals in relation to the full range of Australian visas, including skills migration, family migration, distinguished talent, and business skills visas as well as citizenship matters.

Represented clients before the Migration Review Tribunal, the Administrative Appeal Tribunal, and the Federal and High Courts of Australia.

Acted in a number of Federal Court cases, including two important cases involving appeals regarding decisions relating to applicants with a disability or who are permanently incapacitated.

Publications and lectures

Speaker, “Post-Election Immigration Outlook: What’s Next and How to Prepare.” Global Mobility Forum Melbourne 2025, Docklands, Australia, 7 May 2025.

Chair, “Compliance, Self-Incrimination and the Migrant Worker.” 2025 Law Council of Australia Immigration Law Conference, Canberra, Australia, 21 March 2025.

Co-chair, “Employer Sponsored / Labour Agreement.” 2025 Law Council of Australia Immigration Law Conference, Canberra, Australia, 20 March 2025.

Co-author, "Citizenship, Former Residents and Resident Return Visas." Lexis Nexis Practical Guidance Immigration Law Module, 2014. Web

Chris’s insights

May 7, 2026 | Conference

Global Mobility Forum Melbourne 2026Read more

April 14, 2026 | Awards

Four Fragomen Attorneys Recognised by The Best Lawyers™ in AustraliaRead more

May 16, 2025 | Blog post

Partner Visa Challenges in Australia: What You Need to Know About Relationship EvidenceRead more
More related insights

Related content

Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand VisaRead more

Chris’s insights

May 7, 2026 | Conference

Global Mobility Forum Melbourne 2026Read more

April 14, 2026 | Awards

Four Fragomen Attorneys Recognised by The Best Lawyers™ in AustraliaRead more

May 16, 2025 | Blog post

Partner Visa Challenges in Australia: What You Need to Know About Relationship EvidenceRead more
More related insights

Related content

Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand VisaRead more

Chris’s insights

May 7, 2026 | Conference

Global Mobility Forum Melbourne 2026Read more

April 14, 2026 | Awards

Four Fragomen Attorneys Recognised by The Best Lawyers™ in AustraliaRead more

May 16, 2025 | Blog post

Partner Visa Challenges in Australia: What You Need to Know About Relationship EvidenceRead more
More related insights

Related content

Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand VisaRead more

Countries / Territories

  • AustraliaAustralia
  • New ZealandNew Zealand

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Greek

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+ 61 3 9613 9301

F:+ 61 3 9613 9300

Fragomen in Melbourne, Australia

Fragomen (Australia) Pty Ltd.

Level 19, 500 Collins St

Melbourne VIC 3000

Australia

Connect via Linkedin

Chris’s insights

May 7, 2026 | Conference

Global Mobility Forum Melbourne 2026Read more

April 14, 2026 | Awards

Four Fragomen Attorneys Recognised by The Best Lawyers™ in AustraliaRead more

May 16, 2025 | Blog post

Partner Visa Challenges in Australia: What You Need to Know About Relationship EvidenceRead more
More related insights

Related content

Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand VisaRead more

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Greek

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+ 61 3 9613 9301

F:+ 61 3 9613 9300

Fragomen in Melbourne, Australia

Fragomen (Australia) Pty Ltd.

Level 19, 500 Collins St

Melbourne VIC 3000

Australia

Connect via Linkedin

Chris’s insights

May 7, 2026 | Conference

Global Mobility Forum Melbourne 2026Read more

April 14, 2026 | Awards

Four Fragomen Attorneys Recognised by The Best Lawyers™ in AustraliaRead more

May 16, 2025 | Blog post

Partner Visa Challenges in Australia: What You Need to Know About Relationship EvidenceRead more
More related insights

Related content

Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand VisaRead more

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Greek

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+ 61 3 9613 9301

F:+ 61 3 9613 9300

Fragomen in Melbourne, Australia

Fragomen (Australia) Pty Ltd.

Level 19, 500 Collins St

Melbourne VIC 3000

Australia

Connect via Linkedin

Chris’s insights

May 7, 2026 | Conference

Global Mobility Forum Melbourne 2026Read more

April 14, 2026 | Awards

Four Fragomen Attorneys Recognised by The Best Lawyers™ in AustraliaRead more

May 16, 2025 | Blog post

Partner Visa Challenges in Australia: What You Need to Know About Relationship EvidenceRead more
More related insights

Related content

Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand VisaRead more

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Irish Examiner: Updates to Non-EU Work Permits Will Help Firms Fill Critical Roles

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Senior Associate Arta Djahanschiri and Associate Iris Barthel discuss how EU-Turkey Association Law, including Association Council Decision No. 1/80, can provide Turkish employees and their family members in Germany with residence and labor market rights that may extend beyond protections available under the German Residence Act.

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Deutscher AnwaltSpiegel: Internationale Rekrutierung ist eine Compliancefrage

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Learn more

Video

Do You Need a Visa for Thailand? Tourist Visa Rules Explained

In this video, Practice Leader Kate Praphakornphiphat explains the key requirements, documents, fees and processing time for a Thailand tourist visa, as well as stay duration and extension options for short-term travel. 

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In this blog, Manager Gillian Gibbons and Immigration Consultants Gemma Oliver and Larna Kate Hadfield examine how Barnsley’s designation as the UK’s first government-backed Tech Town reflects wider AI and digital growth across the North of England, and why immigration strategy will be critical for employers seeking to access the global talent needed to support regional innovation.

Learn more

Media mentions

Hong Kong Business Magazine: Employers Seek Broader Immigration Reforms

In this Hong Kong Business article, Managing Director Magdalene Tennant discusses Hong Kong’s recent decision to allow employment and dependent visa renewal applications to be filed up to three months before expiry, a change intended to reduce the risk of work disruptions and provide employers with greater flexibility in managing foreign talent.

Learn more

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Learn more

Media mentions

Irish Examiner: Updates to Non-EU Work Permits Will Help Firms Fill Critical Roles

Practice Leader Colm Collins explains how Ireland's employment permit updates can help employers address workforce shortages while strengthening the country's ability to attract global talent.

Learn more

Blog post

Understanding EU-Turkey Association Rights for Workers and Families in Germany

Senior Associate Arta Djahanschiri and Associate Iris Barthel discuss how EU-Turkey Association Law, including Association Council Decision No. 1/80, can provide Turkish employees and their family members in Germany with residence and labor market rights that may extend beyond protections available under the German Residence Act.

Learn more
Generic Insights

Media mentions

Deutscher AnwaltSpiegel: Internationale Rekrutierung ist eine Compliancefrage

Partner Marius Tollenaere and Associate Jamela Sharrock examine how employers in Germany can strengthen immigration compliance by embedding it into every stage of the employment lifecycle.

Learn more

Podcast

EB5: What Prospective Applicants Need to Know NOW!

In this episode of The Immigration Conversation, Partner Chad Blocker, Senior Counsel Mitchell Wexler and Associate Alex Kim discuss what prospective EB-5 applicants should know now, including source-of-funds documentation, project selection, concurrent filing, retrogression and upcoming program deadlines.

Learn more

Blog post

New EU Social Security Coordination Rules: What Employers Need to Know

In this blog, Partner Jo Antoons and Senior Manager Marina Ocariz discuss the EU’s provisional agreement on revised social security coordination rules and what employers should know about the expected changes to A1 certificate requirements, posted worker rules and short-term cross-border work compliance.

Learn more

Blog post

Approaching EB-5 Grandfathering Deadline: What Investors Need to Know Before September 30, 2026

In this blog, Partner Rahul Soni explains the EB-5 grandfathering provisions under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 and why prospective investors should consider filing before the September 30, 2026 deadline to help preserve statutory protections and reduce exposure to future program uncertainty.

Learn more

Video

Do You Need a Visa for Thailand? Tourist Visa Rules Explained

In this video, Practice Leader Kate Praphakornphiphat explains the key requirements, documents, fees and processing time for a Thailand tourist visa, as well as stay duration and extension options for short-term travel. 

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen and Talent Beyond Boundaries Named Co-Chairs of Global Task Force on Refugee Labour Mobility

Fragomen and Talent Beyond Boundaries announce that they will jointly serve as co-chairs of the Global Task Force on Refugee Labour Mobility for a two-year term beginning in June 2026.

Learn more

Blog post

From Barnsley to the North: AI Growth and the UK's Immigration Challenge

In this blog, Manager Gillian Gibbons and Immigration Consultants Gemma Oliver and Larna Kate Hadfield examine how Barnsley’s designation as the UK’s first government-backed Tech Town reflects wider AI and digital growth across the North of England, and why immigration strategy will be critical for employers seeking to access the global talent needed to support regional innovation.

Learn more

Media mentions

Hong Kong Business Magazine: Employers Seek Broader Immigration Reforms

In this Hong Kong Business article, Managing Director Magdalene Tennant discusses Hong Kong’s recent decision to allow employment and dependent visa renewal applications to be filed up to three months before expiry, a change intended to reduce the risk of work disruptions and provide employers with greater flexibility in managing foreign talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Professional Engineering: How to Access International Engineering Talent in a Changing Immigration System

In this article published by Professional Engineering, Senior Manager Nadine Barnole examines how UK engineering employers can continue to access international talent amid growing skills shortages and a rapidly evolving immigration landscape.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times Brasil CNBC: How Technology is Reshaping Identity Verification Systems

In this Times Brasil CNBC Real Tech interview, Partner Diana Quintas discusses Brazil’s recent visa exemption for Chinese nationals, what it signals for Brazil-China mobility and how technology is helping support more efficient cross-border movement.

Learn more
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Important Updates
June 26, 2026 | 🌐Worldwide: Temporary Ebola-Related Entry Restrictions Introduced
June 26, 2026 | CanadaCanada: Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Redesign; Phase 1 Launches Workforce Priority Stream
June 26, 2026 | IrelandIrish Examiner: Updates to Non-EU Work Permits Will Help Firms Fill Critical Roles
June 26, 2026 | KuwaitKuwait: Relaxed Employer Transfer Rules in Limited Circumstances
June 26, 2026 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
June 26, 2026 | 🌐Worldwide: Temporary Ebola-Related Entry Restrictions Introduced
June 26, 2026 | CanadaCanada: Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Redesign; Phase 1 Launches Workforce Priority Stream
June 26, 2026 | IrelandIrish Examiner: Updates to Non-EU Work Permits Will Help Firms Fill Critical Roles
June 26, 2026 | KuwaitKuwait: Relaxed Employer Transfer Rules in Limited Circumstances
June 26, 2026 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
June 26, 2026 | 🌐Worldwide: Temporary Ebola-Related Entry Restrictions Introduced
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