Australia’s migration policy

Overview of Australia’s 2025 Migration Policy

Australia has shifted toward a more strategic and controlled migration system, emphasizing skilled and regional migration while managing overall net migration to ease pressure on infrastructure and housing.

Key Changes in Skilled and Permanent Migration

1. Permanent Migration Program (2024–25):

1. Total intake: 185,000 places(down from 190,000)
   1. 132,200 (≈71%)for skilled migrants
   2. Employer-sponsored slots increased to 44,000
   3. Skilled independent visas reduced to 16,900
   4. Global Talent visas replaced by National Innovation Visa
2. Skills in Demand (SID) Visa(replaced TSS 482 visa in late 2024) with three streams:

1. Specialist Skills(high-income roles)
2. Core Skills(broad-skilled roles)
   1. Labour Agreementsfor occupations not listed
   2. Higher Salary Thresholds(effective 1 July 2025):
3. Core Skills & TSMIT: AUD 73,150 → 76,515
4. Specialist Skills: AUD 135,000 → 141,210
5. Regional Migration Incentives:
6. Prioritized employer-sponsored migrants via Ministerial Direction No. 105
7. 33,000 regional slots in 2024–25 program
8. Faster processing for regional nominations
9. State/Territory Programs:
10. Northern Territory DAMA III launched March 2025: 325 occupations, age/language/salary concessions
11. Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, ACT have varying nomination programs and invitations immigrationhotspot.com.aunationwidemigration.com.au

International Students & Education Sector Reforms

• Student Visa Changes:

• Application fee raised from AUD 710 to 1,600(with further hike to 2,000 mid-2025)
• Mandatory Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)for onshore applicants (from Jan 2025)
• Update to English language requirements
  
  • Educational Integrity Measures:
• Ban on colleges paying commissions to agents; stricter provider oversight (“ghost colleges” crackdown)
• Introduction of student eligibility filters and prioritization under Ministerial Direction 111
  Wikipediacom.au
  • International Student Numbers:
• Proposed caps vary; some set at up to 270,000, others using priority-based allocation with 80% first-placement rule

Managing Net Overseas Migration (NOM)

• International Student Intake:

• Reversal of earlier cap plans; instead increasing intake by 25,000to total 295,000 for 2026 under policy shift MD111

Summary Table

Conclusion

Australia’s 2025 migration policy illustrates a refined, goals-oriented framework. Emphasis is on attracting skilled labor via revamped visa streams, fostering regional development, and maintaining education quality—all while gradually reducing net migration to sustainable levels.