Australia: Work Visas

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

Ministerial Direction 105 allows the government to issue instructions to Home Affairs on how skilled visas should be prioritised, typically taking into account regional needs, sponsorship status and critical sectors.

Although the Opposition’s proposals reflect political positioning rather than formal policy, these debates—and the broader public conversation on immigration—offer early signals of potential shifts to workforce planning and access to skilled talent.

The 407 Training Visa allows people to build their skills through organised, workplace‑based training programs in Australia.

Legislative reforms commenced on 25 March 2026 to provide employers greater flexibility in determining the Annual Market Salary Rate in circumstances where a relevant Fair Work instrument, state industrial instrument or transitional instrument applies.

The construction sector continues to face one of the tightest labour markets in Australia. Demand for housing and major infrastructure has surged, yet the supply of skilled workers has not kept pace. Jobs and Skills Australia data consistently highlights construction trades, such as bricklayers, carpenters, plasterers, and electricians, in persistent deficit.

DAMAs (Designated Area Migration Agreements) provide concessions to standard visa criteria, including English, salary, experience, and age requirements and broader occupation lists to sponsor workers.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has announced new Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE) figures that will apply to income thresholds for the Subclass 482 and Subclass 186 Visa programs from 1 July 2026.

Australia’s Regional Visa programs, such as DAMAs (Designated Area Migration Agreements), are designed to support regional employers when standard employer-sponsored migration pathways are limited.