Canberra has put Australia’s skilled-migration architecture under the microscope again, with the Joint Standing Committee on Migration launching a new inquiry on 3 November 2025 to assess the economic, social and cultural value of skilled migrants. Submissions are invited until 5 January 2026.
The review will examine whether current visa categories, occupation lists and points-test thresholds are meeting employers’ needs while balancing housing, infrastructure and integration pressures. It follows Treasury forecasts that net overseas migration will ease from 395,000 in FY 2024-25 to 260,000 by FY 2026-27 as pandemic backlogs clear.
![Parliament Opens Inquiry into Australia’s Skilled Migration Settings]()
Businesses have welcomed the inquiry as a chance to simplify sponsorship pathways. Industry groups will push for streamlined Labour Market Testing and faster skill-assessment turnaround, while unions are expected to argue for stronger enforcement against exploitation.
Mobility and relocation managers should monitor proceedings: previous committee recommendations have led to significant changes, including the Global Talent Visa and Priority Processing Directions. Oral hearings are slated for Sydney, Melbourne and regional centres in early December; stakeholders can request to appear via videolink.
A final report is due mid-2026—well-timed to feed into the Government’s next Federal Budget and migration program planning cycle.
The review will examine whether current visa categories, occupation lists and points-test thresholds are meeting employers’ needs while balancing housing, infrastructure and integration pressures. It follows Treasury forecasts that net overseas migration will ease from 395,000 in FY 2024-25 to 260,000 by FY 2026-27 as pandemic backlogs clear.
Businesses have welcomed the inquiry as a chance to simplify sponsorship pathways. Industry groups will push for streamlined Labour Market Testing and faster skill-assessment turnaround, while unions are expected to argue for stronger enforcement against exploitation.
Mobility and relocation managers should monitor proceedings: previous committee recommendations have led to significant changes, including the Global Talent Visa and Priority Processing Directions. Oral hearings are slated for Sydney, Melbourne and regional centres in early December; stakeholders can request to appear via videolink.
A final report is due mid-2026—well-timed to feed into the Government’s next Federal Budget and migration program planning cycle.
