Australia's 2025 Election - migration implications

Most people would have noted that Australia had a Federal election last weekend and the Australian Labour Party (ALP) were re-elected with a substantially increased majority. What does this mean for skilled migration?

At present, election numbers are still being finalised and little activity is expected until a Minister is appointed later this month, but we can re-cap on what was promised in the lead up to the election.

Australian Labour Party (ALP) election policy largely committed to the status quo, having made significant changes to the program in late 2024.

  • The current permanent migration program is set at 185,000 for 2024/25. The government hasn’t indicated next year’s program numbers in the recent 2025 Federal budget.

  • The government will increase the visa application charge for primary student visas applicants to $2,000 from 1 July 2025. The arrangements for Pacific Island and Timor-Leste primary applicants will remain the same.

  • The government have publicly stated they oppose reintroducing a Significant Investor Visa.

  • The current Humanitarian program is set at 20,000 places for 2024/25. Again the government has not indicated clearly next year’s program numbers in the recent Federal budget.

Greg Bicknell