As Australia heads towards the 2028 Federal Election, migration has once again become one of the hottest political issues. Both major parties are under pressure to act to reduce Net Overseas Migration (NOM) by election time, but what does this mean for employers who rely on skilled workers from overseas?
Recent changes to processing priorities may have changed the recruitment landscape more than many employers realise. While visa eligibility has not changed, the order in which skilled visa applications are processed has. In most cases, applications lodged for workers who are already in Australia will now be prioritised ahead of applications for workers overseas regardless of urgency or need for those workers.
Announced quietly and with little fanfare, is this really a simple process change, or does it represent a much broader shift in Australia’s approach to skilled migration? Is it short-term gain or are there deeper forces at work?
Join Ajuria Lawyers and special guest Henry Sherrell for a practical and thought-provoking webinar where we will explore:
- How the political focus on reducing Net Overseas Migration (NOM) is influencing skilled migration policy.
- What the Minister’s new policy means for offshore recruitment and processing times.
- Whether employers should rethink their overseas recruitment strategies.
- Which industries and occupations are likely to be most affected.
- Practical steps employers can take to minimise delays and secure the skilled workers they need.
About our guest Henry Sherrell
Henry is an adviser at the Scanlon Foundation and is a member of the Migration Advisory Council on Skilled Migration expert sub-committee. Prior to this, he worked for the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. He was the Deputy Program Director (Migration) at the Grattan Institute.
Thursday, 13 August 2026 – 2pm AEST
Whether you regularly sponsor overseas workers or are planning your future workforce strategy, this webinar will help you understand the changing migration landscape and what it means for your business.
Don’t miss this timely discussion on one of the most significant changes to Australia’s skilled migration program ahead of the changing political climate in Australia.
The webinar will be recorded.