We also share insights from the International Labour Market Update report, which indicate Australia’s competitiveness as a skilled migrant destination.

In 2023, it became particularly evident that Australia's migration system is indeed ‘broken', based on an expert panel's findings and the Nixon report confirming widespread abuse of the visa system.

Recent analysis shows that more than 600,000 permanent migrants are working below their qualification level, despite widespread shortages in critical sectors such as engineering, teaching, health, and trades.

As Australia continues to navigate a tight labour market, the Department of Home Affairs' Temporary Resident (Skilled) Report – 31 March 2025 offers several insights for employers sponsoring skilled migrants on a 482 Visa.

For both employers and visa holders, it's important to be aware of current visa processing times and trends that may impact applications and planning. Here's a summary of updates;

The Government's Migration Strategy has revealed how Australia's Skilled Visa and Migration System will change in 2024 and beyond to better support the nation's skills needs for decades to come.

Understanding current government processing times allows businesses to plan recruitment and onboarding with greater certainty. With clearer expectations around timelines, organisations can better coordinate start dates, allocate resources, and maintain continuity in their workforce planning.

Understanding current government processing times allows businesses to plan recruitment and onboarding with greater certainty.

UK and Indian passport holders are set to benefit from new visa and mobility arrangements that have been recently negotiated in Australia's Trade Agreements.

Following comprehensive ‘once-in-a-generation' migration reviews undertaken in 2022 and 2023, the Government promised to ‘get the right skills in the right places' and ensure Australia meets its skills needs in coming decades.

Prime Minister, Scott Morrison this morning announced that Travel Exemption requirements will be removed for fully vaccinated travellers to come to Australia from 1 December 2021...

In Australia, holding permanent residence does not automatically guarantee the right to re-enter the country after travelling overseas. Re-entry depends on whether the travel facility attached to the permanent visa remains valid.

The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) for Subclass 494 Regional Visas has been annually indexed for applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026.

The below timeframes reflect general processing times published on the government’s Global Visa Processing Times page on 4 September 2026.

One of the changes in the Government's Migration Strategy that will have the biggest impact on employers and skilled visa applicants will be the replacement of the Subclass 482 T

The Government has made an industry-specific Aged Care Labour Agreement immediately available to aged care providers across Australia.

Navigating visa changes can be complex, and mobility provisions under International Trade Agreements can make it even more difficult for employers to understand when Labour Market Testing is required.

Australia allocated almost double the amount of placements to Parent Visas in 2022/23 (8,500 placements) compared to the previous year (4,500 placements), and another 8,500 places have again been allocated in 2023/24.

Jobs and Skills Australia has released JSA Atlas, an interactive platform with government-sourced insights on national, state and regional labour markets.

Applications for employer-sponsored visas for regional Australia will be prioritised for processing in 2024 according to the Government's new Ministerial Direction (No. 105).