Following on from Tuesday nights Federal Budget announcements, we are summarising the key points for you. Don’t worry, we didn’t watch the Budget but bought the Financial Review and picked out the topics on migration.
Migration Planning Levels
Australia’s permanent migration intake will remain capped at 185,000 places. More than 70 per cent of permanent visas will be allocated to skilled migrants, while priority will increasingly be given to applicants already living in Australia.
It has been acknowledged that there is a record backlog of 425,000 unprocessed cases.
Reforms to points tested Skilled Migration
The government announced reforms to the skilled migration points test aimed at better selecting migrants with stronger education, skills and younger age profiles.
To address labour shortages, particularly in construction and electrical trades, the government will allocate $85.2 million to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations to primarily spend on faster skills assessments and licensing recognition for Trades Recognition Australia. The measures are expected to help up to 4,000 additional skilled trades workers enter the workforce annually and reduce workforce entry delays by up to six months.
Oh yes, there’s a novelty, a migration programme aiming at young, educated skilled migrants.
Staff Cuts in the Department of Home Affairs
Staff working for the department will shrink by 226.
Buying a house
The government will extend its two-year ban on temporary migrants buying established residential property until 2029. We have seen a rise in permanent residence over the last 2 years in the belief that this ban is big driver.
Compliance
The budget also includes integrity and compliance measures across the migration system. Funding will be directed toward tighter scrutiny of student visa applications, and improved workplace protections for migrant workers.
The Australian Border Force will also receive funding to strengthens laws against antisemitism, violent extremism and hate by implementing new visa refusal and cancellation grounds, and character test provisions under the Migration Act 1958.
Source – Financial Review 13 May 2026
