The Department of Home Affairs’ March 2025 report on the Temporary Resident (Skilled) visa program reveals a sharp rise in employer-sponsored skilled migration, with application volumes up 53% year-on-year. Covering the final months before the introduction of the new Skills in Demand visa, the report highlights strong demand across healthcare, IT, engineering, and hospitality occupations. This article provides a state-by-state breakdown of top nominated roles, key trends by sector, and insights into how the skilled visa landscape is evolving in Australia.

Australia’s new Skills in Demand (SID) Visa, under the Subclass 482 framework, introduces streamlined pathways for skilled migration. With three distinct streams—Specialist Skills, Core Skills, and Labour Agreement—the visa offers reduced work experience requirements, enhanced flexibility, and clearer pathways to permanent residency. Covering a broad range of occupations, it supports employers addressing labour shortages while empowering skilled workers with greater opportunities and mobility.

On 14 May 2024, the Australian Government unveiled the planning levels for its 2024–25 permanent Migration Program, setting it at 185,000 places. This strategic plan aims to address skills shortages, boost regional development, and strengthen social cohesion by strengthening family and community bonds.

As of 2 August 2024, the Department of Home Affairs has introduced significant updates to the Subclass 482 visa, particularly in relation to the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirements for occupations in the Short-Term Stream. These changes aim to simplify the application process, reduce the burden on applicants, and ensure a fairer and more transparent system.

On 1 July 2024, the Australian Government will implement new restrictions on the student visa application process as part of its Migration Strategy.