Why The Skills In Demand Visa Is Changing Employer Hiring Strategy

Jobs and Skills Australia has released its 2025 Skills in Demand (SID) Report, giving employers the first detailed look at how the new Skills in Demand visa is being used.

The report covers the period from the introduction of the SID visa in December 2024 to 30 September 2025.

The SID visa is largely working as intended. Salaries are increasing. The Core Skills stream is carrying most employer demand. The Specialist Skills stream is being used for higher-paid professionals and managers. Labour Agreements are playing a larger role, especially for sectors where workforce shortages sit below standard salary thresholds.

The SID visa is not a complete reset

One of the clearest findings from the report is that the shift from the old TSS visa to the SID visa has not completely changed the profile of employer-sponsored migration. More than 90 per cent of SID visas granted were for occupations that were also available under the former TSS visa settings.