The re-election of the Albanese Labor Government will allow it to continue its proposed overhaul of Australia’s migration system, tighter compliance controls, and a workplace policy agenda shaped by strong union influence.
Migration and Industrial Relations to align
The Government’s Ten-Year Migration Strategy was released in December 2023. Unless there is a change in direction, the strategy will mean a continued shift away from volume-based migration and toward a more targeted, skills-based system. The focus will be on reducing the Net Overseas Migration number and enhanced protections and flexibility for visa holders.
Labor’s close alignment with the union movement continues to influence both workplace and migration policy. A Government-funded $13.25 million program for unions and community groups to educate migrant workers on their workplace rights will come into effect. The initiative seeks to combat worker exploitation among temporary visa holders by providing “information and education to temporary migrant workers and their employers about migration-related rights and obligations in the workplace”.
What we are likely to see over the next three years:
- Core Skills Income Threshold will continue to be indexed annually and will increase to $76,515from 1 July 2025.
- Labour Market Testing is set to continue and could even be increased if unemployment rises during the next three years.
- Annual Net Overseas Migration will be reduced to 250,000 by mid-2025. NOM is the difference between the number of people arriving in Australia to live long-term and those leaving Australia to live overseas, over a given period.
- Continued focus on mobility will mean that skilled workers will have more flexibility to move between employers and have independent pathways to permanent residence.
- Industry based Labour Agreements for lower paid workers in sectors suffering severe labour shortages. These will be made with union involvement.
- Increased importance of internation agreements and co-operation including strengthening Indo-Pacific engagement through schemes such as the Pacific Island visa stream.
- Use of technology to help handle the volume of applications and improve processing efficiencies.
- Stronger integrity measures in international education, including caps on student enrolments and higher English requirements.
- More tailored regional visas
- Higher visa fees (e.g. for international students) and tougher scrutiny for “high-risk” applications
These changes signal more enforcement, more regulation, and a stronger emphasis on wages, equity, and permanent pathways.
We’re here to help
Ajuria Lawyers will continue to monitor all changes as they unfold — including legislative amendments and Departmental implementation. We are working closely with clients to ensure migration strategies remain effective, compliant, and commercially aligned in this new policy environment.
For advice or assistance, please reach out to your usual Ajuria contact or email us at info@ajurialawyers.com.
