Australia’s Migration Policy 2025–26: Opportunities for Skilled Professionals
Australia’s Migration Policy 2025–26: Opportunities for Skilled Professionals
Australia is redefining its migration system — and for skilled professionals worldwide, the next two years could present some of the best opportunities in a decade. With the government prioritising skills that drive economic growth, it’s time to understand where the demand lies, what the migration targets look like, and how you can position yourself to take advantage.
Australia’s Migration Intake: A More Strategic Approach
The Australian Government has confirmed that its permanent migration program will remain at 185,000 places for both 2024-25 and 2025-26, maintaining a strong focus on skilled migration.
This figure covers permanent visa categories (Skilled, Family, and Humanitarian), while the broader measure — Net Overseas Migration (NOM) — is projected to gradually ease from post-COVID highs of around 528,000 (2022-23) to approximately 260,000 in 2024-25 and 255,000 in 2025-26.
The key message? Australia isn’t closing its doors — it’s opening them strategically to those who can meet its evolving skills needs.
The Focus: Skills That Build Australia’s Future
Under the Migration Strategy for Australia, released in December 2023, the government is reshaping migration to align with critical labour shortages and long-term productivity goals. The emphasis is on:
Attracting highly skilled migrants in priority industries.
Reducing reliance on temporary migration.
Encouraging regional migration to balance workforce distribution.
Streamlining visa pathways for occupations facing chronic shortages.
This policy direction is guided by data from Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), which regularly identifies occupations where local supply cannot meet national demand.
Where the Jobs Are: Occupations in High Demand (2025 OSL)
According to the 2025 Occupation Shortage List (OSL) by Jobs and Skills Australia, 33% of all assessed occupations are in national shortage — particularly in healthcare, education, construction, and technology.
Below are some of the top occupations in shortage (with consistent demand over several years):
Across sectors, demand is driven by a mix of structural and demographic forces — an ageing population, housing construction needs, and the digital transformation of the economy.
What This Means for Skilled Migrants
If your occupation appears on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) or the Occupation Shortage List (OSL), you are well-placed to be prioritised for migration in the coming years. Here’s how to make the most of it:
Check your occupation’s ANZSCO code on the Department of Home Affairs website
Confirm visa pathways — such as Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent), 190 (State-Nominated), or 491 (Regional Sponsored)
Get your skills assessed by the authorised assessing body for your occupation
Prepare early — English testing, documentation, and regional nomination requirements can take time
Leverage professional advice — working with migration experts can help you tailor your application to priority regions and visa streams
Why Australia Is Prioritising Skilled Migration
The Australian economy is facing structural labour shortages across key industries. According to JSA data:
Healthcare & social assistance remains the largest source of job growth, with continuing shortages in aged care, nursing, and allied health.
Education and training face persistent shortages, particularly teachers in primary, secondary, and early childhood settings.
Construction and trades are under pressure from the housing and infrastructure boom.
Information and communications technology (ICT) continues to expand, with high demand for software developers, engineers, and cybersecurity professionals.
This isn’t just about filling jobs — it’s about nation-building. Skilled migrants play a vital role in maintaining Australia’s standard of living, supporting innovation, and driving sustainable growth.
For Businesses and Employers
If your organisation is struggling to find qualified staff locally, the current migration settings offer practical solutions:
Employer Sponsorship Programs (e.g., Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage Visa) allow businesses to sponsor overseas workers in approved occupations.
Regional Migration Schemes provide incentives for employers outside major cities.
Priority Processing Streams exist for roles in critical industries like healthcare, infrastructure, and technology.
Partnering with a licensed migration agency can help you identify the best strategy — from sponsorship eligibility to labour-agreement opportunities.
The Bottom Line
Australia’s migration policy for 2024-26 represents a golden window for skilled workers who can contribute to national priorities — and for employers who are ready to invest in global talent.
The message from Canberra is clear: migration will remain strong, but smarter.
If you have the skills, qualifications, and ambition, now is the time to plan your pathway.
Australia’s Migration Policy 2025–26: Opportunities for Skilled Professionals
Australia is redefining its migration system — and for skilled professionals worldwide, the next two years could present some of the best opportunities in a decade. With the government prioritising skills that drive economic growth, it’s time to understand where the demand lies, what the migration targets look like, and how you can position yourself to take advantage.
Australia’s Migration Intake: A More Strategic Approach
The Australian Government has confirmed that its permanent migration program will remain at 185,000 places for both 2024-25 and 2025-26, maintaining a strong focus on skilled migration.
This figure covers permanent visa categories (Skilled, Family, and Humanitarian), while the broader measure — Net Overseas Migration (NOM) — is projected to gradually ease from post-COVID highs of around 528,000 (2022-23) to approximately 260,000 in 2024-25 and 255,000 in 2025-26.
The key message? Australia isn’t closing its doors — it’s opening them strategically to those who can meet its evolving skills needs.
The Focus: Skills That Build Australia’s Future
Under the Migration Strategy for Australia, released in December 2023, the government is reshaping migration to align with critical labour shortages and long-term productivity goals. The emphasis is on:
This policy direction is guided by data from Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), which regularly identifies occupations where local supply cannot meet national demand.
Where the Jobs Are: Occupations in High Demand (2025 OSL)
According to the 2025 Occupation Shortage List (OSL) by Jobs and Skills Australia, 33% of all assessed occupations are in national shortage — particularly in healthcare, education, construction, and technology.
Below are some of the top occupations in shortage (with consistent demand over several years):
Occupation- Aged or Disabled Carer
- Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher
- chool Teacher, Secondary School Teacher
- Carpenter, Bricklayers, Wall and Floor Tillers, Painters, Cabinet makers, Welders, Joiners
- ICT Professionals – Software engineers, Business Analysts, Developer Programmers, Cyber Security Specialists
- Healthcare Nurses
- General Practitioner
Across sectors, demand is driven by a mix of structural and demographic forces — an ageing population, housing construction needs, and the digital transformation of the economy.
What This Means for Skilled Migrants
If your occupation appears on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) or the Occupation Shortage List (OSL), you are well-placed to be prioritised for migration in the coming years. Here’s how to make the most of it:
Why Australia Is Prioritising Skilled Migration
The Australian economy is facing structural labour shortages across key industries. According to JSA data:
This isn’t just about filling jobs — it’s about nation-building. Skilled migrants play a vital role in maintaining Australia’s standard of living, supporting innovation, and driving sustainable growth.
For Businesses and Employers
If your organisation is struggling to find qualified staff locally, the current migration settings offer practical solutions:
Partnering with a licensed migration agency can help you identify the best strategy — from sponsorship eligibility to labour-agreement opportunities.
The Bottom Line
Australia’s migration policy for 2024-26 represents a golden window for skilled workers who can contribute to national priorities — and for employers who are ready to invest in global talent.
The message from Canberra is clear: migration will remain strong, but smarter. If you have the skills, qualifications, and ambition, now is the time to plan your pathway.
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