Opposition plan proposes additional visas for specialist professionals and major infrastructure projects, but changes are not yet law
Australia’s proposed migration reforms could create new opportunities for skilled Indian professionals, even as the country considers tighter controls on overall immigration.
The proposals announced by Australia’s Liberal–National Coalition on 6 October include additional visa pathways for specialist workers and people needed for major infrastructure projects. However, the measures remain proposals and have not become law.
Under the plan, net overseas migration would be reduced to 100,000 a year for the first two years before gradually rising to around 160,000 in the fourth year. The Coalition has proposed introducing 15,000 Skilled Project Visas annually and allowing up to 5,000 additional highly skilled workers through the Specialist Skills stream.
The proposed changes could be relevant to Indian engineers, healthcare professionals, information technology specialists and qualified tradespeople, particularly those whose experience matches Australian employers’ requirements.
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Applicants could be assessed on factors including qualifications, earnings, age, English proficiency and relevant work experience
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The plan also seeks to address backlogs involving skilled construction workers and support employers in regional areas facing labour shortages
Australia continues to offer existing skilled migration routes. The federal government has set the permanent migration programme at 185,000 places for 2026–27, including 132,240 places under the skilled migration stream. Available options include independent skilled migration, state nomination, regional visas and employer-sponsored pathways.
Separately, the Australian government has allocated A$85.2 million over four years to improve skills recognition, including modernising trade skills assessments. This could help qualified overseas tradespeople navigate the process of demonstrating their professional competence, subject to applicable assessment and licensing requirements.
The latest workforce data also highlights continuing demand in some sectors. Jobs and Skills Australia reported that 29 per cent of occupations were experiencing shortages in 2025, down from 36 per cent in 2023.
For Indian professionals considering Australia, the distinction between existing visa rules and proposed reforms remains important. Qualifications alone do not guarantee a visa, permanent residency or employment. Applicants must meet the relevant requirements for skills assessment, registration, sponsorship and English proficiency.
The proposals also include tighter arrangements for some international student and temporary graduate visas, potentially affecting Indian students hoping to gain work experience after completing their studies.
Any final changes will depend on future policy decisions. Prospective migrants should therefore assess their eligibility under current rules rather than rely on proposed measures.
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