Australia Announces Major Investment for Skilled Immigrant Workers
News Summary
Editorially Reviewed.
- The Australian government has allocated over 85.2 million Australian dollars in the 2026-27 federal budget to accelerate the skill assessment and visa processes for immigrant workers.
- The government will implement major changes to the permanent immigration points test, prioritizing highly educated, highly skilled, and younger immigrants.
- An additional 27 million Australian dollars has been budgeted over the next two years to prevent exploitation of immigrant workers and ensure their workplace safety.
April 13, Kathmandu – The Australian government has announced plans to invest millions of dollars to expedite the integration of foreign skilled workers into the labor market. In its 2026-27 federal budget, the government allocated over 85.2 million Australian dollars to accelerate the skill testing and visa approval processes for immigrant workers.
This step aims to address the shortage of skilled construction workers crucial for the success of Australia’s ambitious infrastructure projects, as highlighted in the budget.
The budget also announces significant reforms to the “Permanent Migration Points Test.” By revising this test, Australia will now prioritize immigrants who are highly educated, highly skilled, and younger in age.
According to the budget details, “The government will improve the permanent migration points test to identify immigrants who can improve Australia’s productivity and long-term prosperity.” Currently, two-thirds of Australia’s permanent skilled immigrants are selected based on this points test.
The budget also presented data on Australia’s net overseas migration, reporting that in 2025-26, the migrant population stood at 295,000. The projection for the next fiscal year indicates a decrease of 50,000. The budget notes this figure appears somewhat inflated due to fewer temporary visa holders leaving Australia compared to previous years.
Additionally, the government has allocated an extra 27 million Australian dollars over the next two years to combat exploitation of immigrant workers and ensure workplace safety. This funding is expected to enhance awareness among immigrant workers about their rights and legal protections.