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Exclusive Australian Immigration News, Updates & Opportunities
June 2025
This bulletin is for members only, and provides our members with month to month updates on Australian immigration policy changes and consequential opportunities. Opportunities are found via federal and state government policy shifts for the demand and supply for certain occupations.
This bulletin will keep you up to date so that you do not have to employ expensive immigration lawyers to provide you with monthly research.
June 2025 is here, and Australia has spoken… Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Labor Government have won a second term! Exciting opportunities and important updates are now reshaping Australia’s immigration landscape!!! Let’s discuss…
In this month’s Federal News: Following the federal election, Australia’s Labor government is staying the course on skilled migration, with new policies including a 4.6% increase to skilled visa income thresholds starting July 1—impacting both future applicants and employers.
At the same time, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese begins his second term with billions of dollars in pledges, signaling policy shifts ahead. Meanwhile, updates to ImmiAccount now offer online support for paper-based Parent visa applications, improving access and convenience for migrant families.
Also in this month’s federal news, we listen to voices from the Australian-Indian community, and in a notable political shift, many backed Labor this election, hopeful for continued immigration reform and inclusive policy changes.
In this month’s State News: Skilled workers residing offshore remain eligible to be considered for State and Territory nominations! Please view the State Migration Section of this month’s bulletin for all State and Territory program updates and opportunities available!
In this month’s Economic News: Australia’s construction industry is facing a massive labour shortage, with an estimated shortfall of 80,000 construction workers—putting pressure on the government’s plan to build 250,000 homes annually over the next four years.
Meanwhile, in a major win for workers, FIy-in-Fly-out construction staff in the Pilbara have secured a new two-weeks-on, one-week-off roster in a groundbreaking union deal that could reshape working conditions across the resources sector.
Also in this month’s economic news, for those exploring life beyond the big cities, don’t miss Port Macquarie. Nestled between Sydney and Brisbane, this coastal city offers stunning beaches, rivers, and a relaxed lifestyle perfect for travellers and migrants alike!
In this month’s Student News: Australia is set to offer over 540,000 job openings by the end of 2025, especially in Healthcare, Education, Construction, Tech, and Professional Services. We’ll highlight the top sectors to help shape your study and career plans!
Also in this month’s student news, we observe how international students in Australia are finding that success goes beyond visas and jobs—it’s about resilience, growth, and adapting to a new life!
All this and much more in the June issue of The Australian Immigration Bulletin! Let’s take a deeper look at what has happened so far and what is planned for the remainder of June 2025 in Australian Immigration, so that you can start planning!
All members now have FREE access to an online IELTS English Platform and course to practice, study and improve their English and IELTS score. The IELTS exam is one of the key recommended exams you will need to take in order to Apply for Skilled Migration to Australia and the better your results, the higher points you will get when submitting an expression of interest. The advanced English and IELTS platform will allow all members to practice Mock IELTS Exams, learn cutting edge tips and gain a greater understanding of how to achieve a Band 7+.
All members also have access to “ImmiConnect” which is now available in the member’s area. ImmiConnect is the Office of Immigration Australia’s Employer Sponsored program which allows overseas workers to receive job interview invitations from Australian employers, when job opportunities come available.
The program aims to bring globally mobile, highly-skilled and specialised individuals to Australia who can fill critical areas of need.
ImmiConnect is exclusive to active Australian Immigration Bulletin Members only. You must be a current Australian Immigration Bulletin Member to be eligible to receive job interview invitations.
So if you are interested in receiving these invitations, please sign up for FREE by Clicking “ImmiConnect” and adding your name and email address.
*2 WINNERS DRAWN EVERY MONTH:
Current Round: June 2025 – October 2025 (10 Winners/Prizes in total)
There is always a winner, and the next one could be you!
The winners of the June 2025 Immigration Prize Giveaway were drawn at 10am AEST on 1st June 2025.
Congratulations to the June 2025 winners! You have been sent a confirmation email with details on how to claim your prize!
The next 2 lucky winners will be drawn at 10am AEST on 1st July 2025.
This Bulletin and its contents is for general information purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional advisors.
As legislation and travel requirements are constantly changing, we strongly recommend obtaining advice on your individual situation from a Registered Migration Agent.
Please click here to book a consultation with one of our Registered Australian Migration Agents, located in Australia.
Surfers Paradise, Queensland
The Results of the August 2021 census were made public on 12th July 2022, and revealed that Australia has become a majority migrant nation, as the census data shows for the first time that more than 50 per cent of residents were born overseas or have an immigrant parent. Last year’s census counted nearly 25.5 million people, including 1 million new residents.
Australia’s 2025 Migration Program has been carefully designed to boost the social and economic outcomes that meet Australia’s needs. In fact, the migration programme was first launched in 1945 following the aftermath of World War 2. Given this long history, it is worth understanding how it works. The Australian Immigration Bulletin exists to help explain this in more detail.
As we’ve entered the 6th month of the year, join us for a look at the latest news and developments in the world of Australian Immigration!
We spoke with Khanh, a skilled migrant working as an engineer in a consultant engineering company.
How long have you worked in Australia for?
I have been working for about three years.
How did you get the job?
Well, I happen to know someone, and he knew an engineer in that company. So, he said, maybe just come in and have a talk to them to see if they have any available positions. So I came in with my resume. And yeah, I just introduced myself and stated that I just graduated from University and my major. And then, yeah, I got an interview with one of the engineers in the company, and then the principal engineer, also the owner of the company, and he asked me a few simple questions such as what I can do. So, they then put me on a trial. I think they liked me, and after a few months, they employed me as a full-time employee.
You’ve said that they liked you. Are you aware of what you did differently in order to get that kind of approval?
I think I just tried to work hard. And I would try many different jobs. It didn’t matter what type of job they gave me. I just tried my best. I think trying and working hard is a key attribute that employers like.
How do you think migrants who have just graduated university can get work experience in the field of engineering?
From my own experience, the best way is to just go into a company, and try to talk to someone from the engineering team. They may have something available for you that you were not expecting. Even if it’s a casual role. It’s just important to get some work experience. That would be a good start.
What other advice can you give to migrant job seekers in the field of engineering in terms of mindset and practical approach?
Try first to have some kind of practical experience to improve communication skills and better understand the Australian working culture. Have an open mind and don’t just apply for the exact role that you are looking for. Experience is definitely important and can help on multiple levels.
Synopsis
Australia’s Labor government is set to continue its current immigration policies, emphasizing skilled migration. Upcoming changes include increased salary thresholds for skilled visas, requiring adjustments for both employers and workers.
Australia will maintain its current immigration direction under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor government, with a focus on skilled migration. Following the Labor Party’s re-election, the government will move forward with raising salary thresholds for skilled visa categories.
In December 2023, the Australian government said it would focus on workers with high-demand skills.
Teresa Liu, managing partner (Australia & New Zealand) at a global immigration firm said, “We expect the current set of reforms on the Skilled Visa Program and the migration strategy reform agenda to continue. The main takeaway for aspiring employees and indeed employers or businesses doing business in Australia, is that from a policy perspective, it is largely business as usual.
The government had earlier tried to cap student intake in 2023, but the attempt was unsuccessful. A student visa fee hike appears likely from July 2025.
The Australian government announced that effective July 1, skilled visa income thresholds will increase by 4.6% to align with changes in the Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings.
Key Points:
Additional Information: The thresholds are indexed annually to ensure parity with Australian workers’ wages.
Lalith Krishnamurthy was among some Indian Australians who felt relieved Labor won the election.
“No-one left behind.”
That promise, made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in his victory speech after securing a second term last weekend, struck a chord with many in the Indian diaspora, including Lalith Krishnamurthy.
The 39-year-old IT project manager from Sydney said he felt “relieved” seeing a Labor win.
Born in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Mr Krishnamurthy became an Australian citizen in 2018 and voted for the first time at the 2019 federal election.
For him, Labor “made an attempt to represent the interests of all Australians”.
“I believe that is why many Indians support Labor,” he said.
“Since some of our cultures, choices and practices are different to traditional Australian communities, any effort by people in power to engage with us and show us love will be appreciated.”
‘Australians didn’t vote the MAGA way’
The world “is becoming more divisive and polarised”, Mr Krishnamurthy said, which was why he had concerns about the Liberal Party.
Refusing to acknowledge impacts of climate change and “disrespecting” Indigenous Australians were among his reasons for not voting for them.
“Borrowing ideas and slogans from across the ocean” was another, he said, referring to Donald Trump’s effect on Australian politics.
Prerna Karnani from Melbourne echoed his sentiment.
“As a woman of colour, the biggest relief was to see that Australians didn’t vote the MAGA way,” Ms Karnani said.
The 37-year-old entrepreneur and mother, who has always voted for Labor, said she was glad with the outcome.
“The result showed that divisiveness and othering is not what we stand for, unlike what’s happening in other parts of the world.”
While Ms Karnani said no political party was perfect, she believed Labor’s priorities were centred around “things that matter most to everyday Aussies”.
Contributions of Indian Australians ‘enormous’
Numbered at more than 916,000, people born in India make up the second-largest migrant group in Australia according to recent Bureau of Statistics data.
Over the last three years, that number has steadily increased.
Labor MP Tim Watts, who represents Gellibrand in Melbourne’s multicultural west, described the Indian diaspora as part of “modern Australia”.
“Being able to listen to, and engage with, Australians in these communities is fundamental to being an elected representative in Australia today,” Mr Watts said.
Mr Watts said the Indian community was “as diverse as India itself”.
He’s seen their population in his electorate grow over the decade he’s been in parliament.
“Indian Australians from our community have long been a big presence on my personal staff, shaping my thinking and helping me to represent our community in Canberra.”
Liberal MP Jason Wood was re-elected to parliament at this election and represents the seat of La Trobe in the outer south-east of Melbourne, which also has a big Indian community.
He said their contributions to society were “enormous”.
“They make up our doctors, our engineers, our businesses,” Mr Wood said.
“It’s just amazing what they’ve done.”
Mr Wood said he had been a big supporter of Indian events and businesses.
“Any time I attend an event for the Indian community, whether it’s a religious festival or a fundraiser, the people are filled with so much light and there is always so much colour.”
A slew of changes is coming in the re-elected Labor government’s next term.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Labor have won a second term — and they enter it with billions of dollars in promises made.
Here’s some of what has been pledged:
Industrial relations
Health
Housing
Education
Childcare
Environment and energy
Online services are now available to support Parent visa applicants who lodge a paper-based application.
While applicants must still apply using a paper form, they can now import their application into ImmiAccount once the Department has acknowledged that they have received it.
Importing an application into ImmiAccount gives applicants access to a range of online services that make it easier to manage their application.
These services help applicants save time and include the ability to:
The services are available for all new and existing applications, except for Parent (subclass 103) visa applications lodged before November 2018.
If you are interested in applying for a general skilled migration visa to Australia, it is important to have a good understanding of the skilled visa options and how the migration points test works, so that you can maximise your chances of being eligible to apply for a skilled visa.
Australia is currently facing a shortage of skilled migrants to fill workforce demands. In response, states and territories have been easing the conditions of their visa programs to help attract skilled workers from overseas.
Below is the monthly update for some of the State and Territory opportunities available.
Program Status Update
UPDATE: Northern Territory General Skilled Migration (GSM) nomination applications for 2024-25
Northern Territory has now received sufficient nomination applications to fill the total allocations for the 2024-25 program year. To manage the large number of applications received against the limited allocation of nominations given to the Northern Territory we have suspended our online portal for new applications. All applications received before the suspension will continue to be assessed, and those who meet the eligibility criteria will be issued nominations.
The program will be reopened for new applications once nomination allocations are received for the 2025-26 program year (The program year generally runs from Start of July 2025 – End of June 2026).
During the suspension, applications will continue to be accepted by exception for onshore applicants who have certain visa deadlines before 1 July 2025. For more information on this, please view the update on NT GSM nomination applications for 2024-25 page.
Once the above mentioned temporary suspension is lifted, you may be able to proceed with the NT’s usual skilled migration program. Program details below:
People residing offshore are eligible to be considered for Northern Territory (NT) nomination. Invitations to apply for Northern Territory nomination will be via the ranking system.
The ‘Northern Territory Offshore Migration Occupation List’ identifies the occupations in current demand in the Northern Territory. This List is important if you want to apply for Northern Territory nomination for either a:
The ‘Northern Territory Offshore Migration Occupation List’ is only applicable for those applying for NT nomination from outside Australia, under the Priority Occupation stream.
Please note: The Northern Territory government has advised that offshore applicants will generally only be offered a Northern Territory nomination for a subclass 491 visa. Subclass 190 nominations will only be offered in exceptional circumstances, such as cases where the applicant has strong connections to the NT.
The NT advises eligible applicants to apply as soon as they meet the eligibility criteria. To receive a nomination from the NT Government, you must:
Before submitting an EOI for The Northern Territory, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements.
For a further explanation, see the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Northern Territory Government website.
Program Status Update: Important Announcement
Queensland closed its 2024-25 skilled State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP) on May 27 2025.
Migration Queensland will continue to assess the applications currently under assessment until all nominations are completed.
Migration Queensland will resume accepting new ROIs from all eligible candidates when the 2025-26 program commences. (The program year generally runs from Start of July 2025 – End of June 2026).
Migration Queensland will publish details of the 2025-26 program when available.
Once the above mentioned temporary suspension is lifted, you may be able to proceed with Queensland’s usual skilled migration program. Program details below:
Depending on your occupation and situation, there are two state nomination options available for skilled migrants through Queensland.
For Queensland state nomination, prospective applicants must meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements, state-specific occupation requirements and have skills in an occupation that is available on the Queensland Skilled Occupation List.
You may undertake employment once onshore in Queensland through:
Offshore applicants meeting the minimum published requirements are eligible to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) on SkillSelect and then a Registration of Interest (ROI) on the Migration Queensland portal.
Migration Queensland has opened the 2024-25 State Nominated Migration Program. For more information, please see here.
NOTE: To be eligible for Queensland’s 2024-25 program, your EOI must be submitted on or after 13 September 2024.
Migration Queensland criteria requires you to:
The 2024-25 Skilled Migration Program is open to both onshore and offshore applicants and provides pathways for skilled workers, graduates, and small business owners.
Before submitting a Registration of Interest (ROI) for Queensland, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements.
Note: In the EOI, select ‘Queensland’ as the only state of interest in the EOI, if you wish to be considered for an invitation to apply for Queensland nomination.
For a further explanation, see the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Queensland Government website.
UPDATE: Victoria’s skilled visa nomination program for 2024-25
Victoria’s 2024-25 state nominated skilled visa program has closed to new Registrations of Interest (ROI) as of 4pm AEST on Tuesday 29 April 2025.
The program has attracted a lot of interest this year and has received many more ROIs than available places. Victoria will continue to assess submitted ROIs for any remaining nomination places in the 2024-25 program year.
The program will be reopened for new applications once nomination allocations are received for the 2025-26 program year (The program year generally runs from Start of July 2025 – End of June 2026).
Once the above mentioned temporary suspension is lifted, you may be able to proceed with Victoria’s usual skilled migration program. Program details below:
Open to offshore applicants, the program provides skilled migrants with a pathway to permanent residency in Victoria. The skills that successful applicants bring to Victoria benefits employers and the broader Victorian economy.
The program provides two visa pathways:
As with previous years, applicants will first need to submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) and then be selected on competitive merit to apply for visa nomination.
*Please note: Invitation rounds occur frequently throughout the financial year with no set date.
To be invited to apply for Victorian skilled visa nomination, you must firstly make or update an Expression of Interest (EOI) via the Australian Government’s SkillSelect and then submit a Registration of Interest (ROI).
NOTE: If you previously submitted a ROI and wish to be considered for invitation in the 2024-25 program, you must submit a new ROI.
Both onshore and offshore applicants are eligible to submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) for both the subclass 190 and subclass 491 visas.
Your ROI will remain in the system for selection until it is withdrawn, selected or the program year ends.
Before submitting an ROI for Victoria, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements.
For a further explanation, see the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Victoria Government website.
Program Status Update
People residing offshore are eligible to be considered for Western Australia (WA) State nomination. Invitations to apply for WA State nomination will be via the ranking system.
The Western Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List identifies the occupations in current demand in Western Australia. This List is important if you want to apply for Western Australia nomination for either a:
Please note that to be eligible for an invitation in the WA State Nominated Migration Program, you must meet both:
Before starting your application, you will need to check whether your occupation is available on either the WA Skilled migration occupation list (WASMOL) Schedule 1 or 2, or the Graduate occupation list. You can search for your occupation here. (The occupation list search bar is located under the heading ‘Eligible Occupations’.)
Features of the WA 2024-25 State Nominated Migration Program:
Before submitting an EOI for Western Australia, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements.
For a further explanation, see the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Western Australia Government website.
Program Status Update
The ACT Critical Skills List identifies the occupations in current demand in the ACT. This List is important if you want to apply for ACT nomination for either a:
The ACT Government will update this list every four months to make sure that the ACT Skilled Migration Program adapts and responds to the evolving critical skills needs of the ACT economy.
The Canberra Matrix is weighted to ensure that applicants who will make a positive economic contribution to the Territory and/or have demonstrated a genuine commitment to the ACT are more likely to be ranked and invited to apply for ACT nomination.
*ACT nomination does not guarantee a migration outcome. You must still meet the Department of Home Affairs criteria.
Every month, a certain number of nomination invitations are available (prorated on the annual allocation) to those working in the highest ranked Matrix in each occupation.
You can view the ACT’s most in-demand skills for skilled migration by consulting the ACT Critical Skills List.
Before submitting an EOI for The Australian Capital Territory, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements.
Once you’ve submitted a valid Department of Home Affairs Skill Select EOI, follow the ACT Government Process to apply for ACT nomination.
For a further explanation, see the Resources page on the ACT Government website.
Program Status Update
Depending on your occupation and situation, there are two state nomination options available for skilled migrants through South Australia.
For South Australian state nomination, prospective applicants must meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements, state-specific occupation requirements and have skills in an occupation that is available on the South Australian Skilled Occupation List. Offshore applicants meeting the minimum published requirements can now lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI).
There is an enormous range of occupations on South Australia’s Skilled Migration Occupation List in a range of industries – search for your occupation here.
South Australia will select offshore applicants to apply for state nomination from those who have submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. Offshore applicants will not need to lodge a Registration of Interest (ROI) for this year’s program. South Australia will be nominating offshore applicants from over 250 occupations on South Australia’s Skilled Migration Occupation List.
If you are currently residing offshore and seeking to move to South Australia, the first step is to create an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect ensuring you select South Australia as your first preferred State or Territory.
The South Australian Government can then review your EOI for consideration under the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190) or Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491).
For most occupations, applicants must have a minimum of three years of skilled employment in their nominated or related occupation within the last 5 years to secure an invitation to apply for SA nomination.
South Australia will be assessing candidates on merit by the following factors:
For occupations in the construction trades (as listed here) applicants must have a minimum of one year of skilled employment in their nominated or related occupation within the last 3 years.
Applicants in the construction trades will be assessed on merit by the following factors:
Before submitting an EOI for South Australia, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements.
For a further explanation, see the Frequently Asked Questions page on the South Australia Government website.
Program Status Update: Important Update – Restrictions on further ROI submission
From 5:00 pm Monday, 19 May 2025, Registrations of Interest (ROIs) will only be accepted from candidates who are allocated a Gold Pass.
From 5:00pm Monday, 16 June 2025, no further ROIs will be accepted for the remainder of the 2024-25 program year.
With demand for nomination now exceeding the remaining places available for the Tasmanian Skilled Migration State Nomination Program, from 5:00 pm Monday, 19 May 2025, Registrations of Interest (ROIs) will only be accepted from candidates who are allocated a Gold Pass.
The Gold Pass category – which applies to candidates who have a skills assessment and eligible employment related to a critical role – will then close at 5:00pm Monday, 16 June 2025, with no further ROIs accepted for the remainder of the 2024-25 program year.
Migration Tasmania will resume accepting ROIs from all eligible candidates when the 2025-26 program commences. (The program year generally runs from Start of July 2025 – End of June 2026).
Further information regarding the 2025-26 program will be published on the Migration Tasmania website and in our newsletter when it becomes available.
Migration Tasmania will continue to assess applications for nomination that have been lodged but not yet decided. However, with few nomination places remaining, not all applicants will be nominated this program year.
Once all nomination places are used, any applications approved will be nominated after Tasmania receives its nomination allocation for the 2025-26 program year.
ROIs that are not invited to apply for nomination before the end of the program will continue to be held in the Application Gateway and considered for an invitation to apply for nomination when the 2025-26 program opens.
Once the above mentioned temporary suspension is lifted, you may be able to proceed with Tasmania’s usual skilled migration program. Program details below:
Working in Tasmania
The two state nomination options available for skilled migrants through Tasmania are:
The Tasmanian State Nomination Skilled Migration Program supports Tasmanian businesses and increases the state’s working age population. It does this by attracting and retaining migrants with skills genuinely in need by employers, or with the capacity to settle in Tasmania through skilled employment in the long-term, and business activities that will increase employment opportunities.
Tasmania’s skilled migration program is for people wanting to move to the state who have skills that Tasmania need. Skilled migrants are attracted to Tasmania because of the state’s enviable lifestyle, career opportunities, affordable housing, reputable schools and a globally recognised university.
The Migration Tasmania Application Gateway is now available for registrations of interest (ROI) and applications for skilled visa nomination from Tasmania.
Anyone seeking Tasmanian nomination for a Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa or Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa must first register in the Migration Tasmania Application Gateway .
Before submitting an ROI for Tasmania, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements for either;
For a further explanation, see the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Tasmania Government website.
Program Status Update
The New South Wales government has invited applications from offshore migrants under the following nomination streams:
The NSW State Government announced that offshore applicants skilled in certain ANZSCO unit groups are eligible for NSW nomination.
*Please note: Invitation rounds occur frequently throughout the financial year with no set date.
NSW invites and nominates SkillSelect EOIs at the ANZSCO unit group level. To be eligible for NSW nomination (for either Subclass 190 or Subclass 491), your occupation must fall within an ANZSCO unit group identified on the NSW Skills List which reflects skills in high demand across the state, and be eligible for the visa.
Before submitting an EOI for New South Wales, applicants should check that they meet all eligibility requirements for either;
For a further explanation of how the skills list works, see the Common questions about skilled visas page on the NSW Government website.
Australia does not have enough construction workers and other trades people to meet election pitches to boost housing supply.
Anthony Albanese announced their housing plan, seeking to increase the number of new home builds above the current annual rate of about 170,000.
The Labor government nominated a target of 250,000 completed homes a year for the next four years.
But Labor’s goal cannot be reached given the low number of skilled tradespeople in the construction workforce, according to Tim Reardon, the chief economist at the Housing Industry Association.
“We don’t have enough people,” he said.
“We can build 200,000 to 220,000 with the labour force we have at the moment, [but] getting to 250,000 is the point at which we need more skilled labour.”
The association estimated there were close to 280,000 workers in key skilled occupations but a shortage of 80,000 tradespeople remained. Industry bodies have consistently called for greater government support to increase the workforce.
Reardon said tradespeople were turning to other careers, school leavers were shunning building and skilled migrants were entering the workforce too slowly.
The number of construction trades apprentices in training fell 3.7% in the year to September, a report from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research found.
There were 10,000 fewer new starters annually compared to 2021, while a greater number of trainees were withdrawing from their courses.
“The building industry still has an acute shortage of labour because we’re losing labour to the mining industry and other construction projects,” Reardon said.
Almost a tenth (9.5%) of Australia’s workforce have their main job in the construction industry, but the median weekly earnings for construction workers are $1,598 – about $100 less than the median weekly earnings across all industries, according to the government.
Both parties had committed to increase subsidies and financial incentives for apprentices but neither program would be enough to close the skill shortage, according to Michael Fotheringham, the managing director at the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute.
The Labor party committed to building 100,000 homes reserved for first home buyers, working with state governments and industry.
They also said they would expand the first home buyer guarantee scheme.
The cost of building materials has fallen but experts and builders said new builds remained limited due to slow approvals processes, high building company failures and slow arrivals of migrants with construction skills.
Construction unions have for the first time secured a two-weeks-on, one-week-off roster for fly-in-fly-out workers in the Pilbara in a landmark deal they will push to extend to the rest of the resources industry.
UGL agreed to the short swing as part of an in-principle greenfields deal for Chevron’s Gorgon carbon project on Barrow Island, which is expected to start construction of drill centres next month and employ 150 workers at its peak.
FIFO construction workers in Western Australia are largely on 3:1 rosters and employers have previously resisted union bids to shorten the time on before a break to two weeks.
However, FIFO work is no longer as attractive as it once was due to publicity around mental health issues, and disruption to family lives and a tight labour market has meant greater competition for construction workers.
The Electrical Trades Union, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union were in talks with UGL over the agreement for 18 months as members sought to have input into the deal.
UGL eventually agreed to shorten the swing to 15 days on, six days off and have workers do the maximum 12-hour shift. The longer shift also benefits workers by rewarding them with overtime pay.
ETU WA secretary Adam Woodage said the 2:1 roster was “the line in the sand” and the union would push it as the benchmark for all FIFO construction work.
“It will reset the standard for the entire Pilbara and shoot a message to all the industries that if you’re not doing a 2:1 roster with 12 hours you’re just not going to get the rosters,” he said.
He argued employers needed the rosters to attract talent and avoid high turnover. A 2:1 arrangement struck the right balance, he argued, claiming workers had “inundated” the union with interest about the Chevron project since the deal.
The agreement comes as mining unions are in the middle of a push to reunionise the Pilbara. However, the UGL roster is not expected to flow on to FIFO mine workers doing production work, given the different dynamics at play.
UGL declined to comment.
AMWU WA secretary Steve McCartney said 2:1 rosters had been a long-standing union goal since 16 weeks on, one-week off rosters in the 1970s and 5:1, 4:1 and 3:1 rosters in more recent years.
“We’ve come a long way and the expectations are higher,” he said.
“Members wants to spend time back in civilisation. Dads want to read their kids a story at night time before they go to bed. That’s why we need bandwidth … We can’t imagine going backwards.”
The AMWU will seek to extend 2:1 rosters to upcoming green energy projects while the ETU will push them onto Woodside’s Pluto upgrade project – which has a 3:1 roster – when it starts re-negotiating with contractor Bechtel at the end of the year.
Other major projects on the horizon include Rio Tinto’s recently announced $2.8 billion new Brockman Syncline 1 iron mine, a $5 billion desalination plant along the Balla Balla river and BHP’s car dumper project in Port Hedland.
Unions are also championing the agreement’s rolling up of a project incentive payment into a severance payout, accrued at $250-a-week. The payment used to only get paid out if workers stayed on until the end of the project. But under the agreement, workers will get paid out even if they quit early.
CFMEU WA secretary Mick Buchan said the severance pay, to be paid into the relevant union redundancy fund, “lifts the handcuffs”.
“It’s something we’ve achieved for commercial construction industry,” he said. “Our position this is new standard for construction phases in these resources projects.”
Buchan, representing crane operators on the project, said the 2:1 roster followed the CFMEU reaching agreements to construct the Barrow Island camp and gas facility in 2009 and negotiating 26:9 rosters in 2015.
The UGL agreement includes pay rises of 1.6 per cent this year, 1.4 per cent next year and increases of 2.5 per cent or the wage price index in 2027 and 2028. Electricians can earn more than $252,000 under the four-year deal, not including annual leave.
The agreement still needs Fair Work Commission approval.
When headed Down Under, travellers and migrants sometimes make the mistake of sticking only to the big, bustling cities. But for a true taste of that easy-breezy, fun-loving culture that makes Australia one of the happiest countries in the world, you’re better off heading further along the coast. Nearly halfway between the urban jungles of Sydney and Brisbane, Port Macquarie captures the best of New South Wales’ North Coast glory — including stunning beaches, dramatic headlands, and excellent year-round surf.
While there are heaps of amazing island and coastal getaways in Australia, Port Macquarie offers visitors some truly memorable experiences that others just can’t compete with. The surrounding forests host the largest population of koalas on the east coast, making it one of the few places in Australia you’re likely to see this highly endangered species in the wild. Those same bushlands are also home to the tallest waterfall in NSW and the largest red bloodwood tree in the world.
What to see and do in Port Macquarie
Australian coastlines are known for their gorgeous and varied natural scenery, and Port Macquarie’s (a 4 hour drive from Sydney) is no exception. Whether you’re looking to wander beneath lush gumtree canopies or spot koalas in their natural habitat, Sea Acres National Park is the place to be. Its Rainforest Centre includes a 0.8-mile boardwalk, educational displays on the local environment and Aboriginal culture, and a Rainforest Cafe serving light meals beneath bangalow palms. To the south, Burrawan State Park is home to Old Bottlebutt, a 200-year-old bottle-shaped tree with scarlet sap measuring 52 feet around and 170 feet tall. And about a 1.5-hour drive inland, you can witness the breathtaking 650-foot drop of Ellenborough Falls and swim in emerald pools above its cascades.
Find even more iconic koalas and learn about current conservation efforts at the Koala Hospital. Or maybe sea creatures are more your thing? Locals cite the lookout at Tacking Point Lighthouse for frequent sightings of dolphin pods, as well as humpback whales during migration season (May to November). Consider getting there via the Coastal Walk, a 5.5-mile path that showcases Port Macquarie’s fantastic seaside scenery. Along the way, you’ll pass three main beaches, all known for their enjoyable surf, ranging from beginner- to expert-level breaks.
In town, the Glasshouse presents an eclectic gathering of contemporary, historical, and Indigenous art throughout the year, as well as a program of live shows. Black Duck Brewery has pub grub and tastings of bird-themed beers. (Be sure to try the Golden Goose XPA — or Extra Pale Ale — a floral style that’s become core to Australia’s craft brew culture.) Port Macquarie is known for its bounty of fresh seafood, and you can dine on a wealth of Moreton Bay bugs, crabs, prawns, and oysters at both casual and upscale venues.
For many international students arriving in Australia, the journey begins with a dream: to earn a world-class degree, build a successful career, and maybe even call this country home. But as students across the nation quickly discover, real success isn’t just measured in visas, pay checks, or permanent residency—it’s in the growth, grit, and resilience they develop along the way.
A New Life Takes Off
It all starts with a visa—and a one-way ticket, well maybe a return ticket. For many, landing in Australia is the first taste of independence. The plane ride is filled with excitement, hope, and plans for the future. The idea of earning in dollars and sending money home, of thriving in a new environment, feels thrilling.
But once the initial excitement fades, real life sets in. The classroom becomes demanding and the streets unfamiliar. Homesickness and pressure creep in. And the dream? It suddenly feels a little more distant.
Navigating the Culture Shock
Adapting to life in a new country is a full-time job in itself. Whether it’s making new friends, navigating public transport, or mastering academic English, international students are constantly learning—inside and outside the classroom.
Some moments are joyful: sharing cultural food with flatmates, finding a community group, and landing a part-time job. Others are harder: feeling alone or facing academic setbacks.
Still, students adapt. They learn. They grow stronger.
More Than Just Study
For many, the real test isn’t the final exam—it’s balancing a part-time job with full-time study while managing rent, bills, and groceries. These daily responsibilities build resilience and independence. Small victories, like not needing to ask parents for money or successfully navigating forms or processes, become major milestones.
“Success for me was when I could pay my tuition without help from home,” says Arjun, a commerce student from India. “That gave me real confidence.”
The Graduation Glow—and What Comes After
Graduation is a major high point. For many, it represents years of sacrifice, hard work, and overcoming invisible battles. But once the mortarboard is tossed and the photos are posted, another reality kicks in: what’s next?
Some graduates step into jobs in their field. Others take time to find work. The journey to employment, stability, and PR (permanent residency) can be long and unpredictable.
The Elusive Dream of Staying Back
For many international students, being able to stay is seen as the finish line—a symbol of security and belonging. But even after securing a post-study work visa, new questions arise. What now? What’s the next goal?
Some move on to applying for permanent residency or even citizenship. Others aim to buy a home, support family back home, or simply settle into a new rhythm. But alongside the milestones, there’s often a lingering feeling: is this what success really looks like?
Rethinking Success
The truth is, success doesn’t come with a visa stamp or a house key. It’s found in the everyday progress—becoming more confident, more adaptable, and more self-aware.
“We often chase big goals—PR, the job, the car,” says Mei, a postgraduate student from China. “But sometimes we forget that real success is about enjoying life, feeling fulfilled, and continuing to grow.”
In a world that measures achievement through milestones, the international student experience offers a deeper lesson: Success is a continuous path of growth, propelled by challenges that lead to progress.
The Road Ahead
Even after the degree is earned, the job secured, and the future planned, the story continues. Life in a new country brings ongoing challenges—but also opportunities to evolve.
And for many who took that brave first flight, that journey—of progress, discovery, and self-belief—is just getting started.
Aspiring to study in Australia, but confused about the course and related job opportunities. Here’s a look at the most popular job sectors in Australia. Australia is the second favourite destination after Canada when it comes to Immigration. By 2025 end it is expected that Australia will have job vacancies of 540,987 openings across five main sectors of the Healthcare, Education, Technical & Scientific sectors, and Professional Services sectors at large for those who opt to work in Australia.
Students opt to study in Australia or work there because of its friendly laws and the demand for skilled workers, which continues to drive people to the ‘island country’. The excellent education system adds to the number by providing an easy pathway for students looking for a ‘better life’. For the latter, however, it becomes extremely important to understand the popular job sectors with a steady demand for professionals to facilitate the choice of the right courses. The job openings would be available in Australia’s government and private sector undertakings.
List of 10 Popular Job Sectors in Australia 2025
Five main job sectors attract job seekers in Australia: Healthcare, Construction, Education, Professional – Scientific & Technical and Information Technology. These sectors not just offer a full-time placement but also offer part-time jobs in Australia. Here’s a list of popular job sectors that have a steady demand and will continue to increase in number in the years to come in Australia.
Best 5 Job Sectors in Australia After Graduation
The following are some of Australia’s most popular job sectors that applicants can apply to get a job.
1. Education
Australia’s population is rising, reporting a more than positive trend. As such, there is a strong demand for quality education and, in turn, quality educationists. This is more prevalent for primary teachers and language teachers. The industry expects to see double-digit growth by 2025 (as per official reports).
So, if teaching excites you, you will surely find a relevant job in Australia. Ideally, The qualifications would include specialists in primary teaching and training and specialist counsellors. Accordingly, the hot courses would include a Master’s in Education. Also, most of the TAFE Institutes offer excellent certificate programs that can facilitate the transition into the country.
2. Healthcare and Medical
While Australia is looking at a baby boom, it also has an ageing population like most developed countries. With more people crossing to the other side of 45 and increased advancements in medical treatment technologies, the demand for healthcare and medical professionals is on the rise. Expected forecasts of the industry for 2025 and beyond look very positive. The same forecasts also suggest a shortfall of more than 100,000 nurses in Australia by 2050.
For students who are aspiring doctors or are inclined towards providing healthcare services, Australia offers excellent job prospects for years to come. It is, however, important to note that Australian Medical programs are very expensive and run for about 5 years. You can plan your studies in Australia and start by learning all about Medicine from Australia – Structure, Eligibility, Exams required, and Program Validity.
3. Construction and Architects
Though slated to boom at about 30 per cent by 2025, this sector requires more skilled workers. The demand for plumbers, electricians, and stonemasons are ripe and voluminous. However, what is important to note here is that as the building industry soars, so does the demand for civil engineers, electrical engineers, architects, and interior designers. If you are inclined towards the trade, then Australia is sure to offer you an excellent opportunity to find a job and seek your ventures.
The industry is essentially looking for qualified engineers and architects. Engineering students can also look at courses like Construction Planning and Management. Also, the more the projects, the more the requirement for qualified Project Managers – is deftly provided by qualified MBA professionals. So, both architecture and MBA colleges in Australia would continue to be a safe bet!
4. Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Digitization is a global phenomenon that has triggered a wide requirement of IT and Telecommunications Professionals. Australia, too, faces the same requirement, making ICT one of the leading sectors with a steady demand for qualified professionals. Forecasted to grow at 12 per cent, the companies are forever looking for fresh talent to accommodate the fast-paced technological changes.
Students aspiring to obtain engineering degrees in IT and Communications are, hence, sure to find relevant opportunities in Australia. It is worth mentioning that computer networking professionals are in the highest demand, with the industry expecting to increase by an enormous percentage by 2023, which is just about when you complete your MS from Australia.
5. Professional Services – Technical & Scientific Area
With over 200,000 professionals, this industry is considered the largest in Australia. In terms of its expanse, it is speculated that by 2025, it is set to generate over 130,000 jobs, and this industry will boom with an annual increase in its job offers by over 13%.
Students holding technical degrees would be preferred over other degree-holding candidates. Students can look for options through job portals and networking to avoid missing out on the right opportunities.
To sum up, if you plan to study in Australia, plenty of opportunities are open to students across many domains.
This Bulletin and its contents is for general information purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional advisors.
As legislation and travel requirements are constantly changing, we strongly recommend obtaining advice on your individual situation from a Registered Migration Agent. Please click here to book a consultation with one of our Registered Australian Migration Agents, located in Australia.
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