Australia Migration Update - September 2025

The Australian Government has provided clarity on future planning levels, while key adjustments to English language requirements and skilled visa pathways continue to unfold. For those looking to migrate, current visa holders, and Australian employers, understanding these updates is more timely than ever.

We’ve compiled the most relevant migration news to help you navigate these changes.

Permanent Migration Program Levels Confirmed

From September 2, 2025, Australia’s Permanent Migration Program for the 2025-26 financial year has been confirmed at 185,000 places. This mirrors the settings from the 2024-25 program. This commitment by the government ensures continuity, with a strong focus on skilled migration and supporting family reunification.

English Language Reforms and Skills in Demand Visa

A significant overhaul came into effect from August 7, 2025 for approved English language tests.

There are now nine accepted English Language Tests for many Australian visas.

Specific English language requirements for the Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (Subclass 482) are set to change from September 13, 2025. From this date, requirements for the Subclass 482 visa will align with the standard definition of Vocational English. This typically means needing at least an IELTS 5 in each band for applications lodged on or after September 13, 2025.

Skilled Visa Invitations and Occupation Lists

After a nine-month pause, a new Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) invitation round was held on August 21, 2025. This brought positive news for many applicants, particularly in critical sectors like construction, health, and teaching. This indicates renewed activity in this permanent residency visa stream.

Consultations for the 2025 Core Skills Occupation List by Jobs and Skills Australia commenced from August 25, 2025. Stakeholder surveys and submissions for this list will remain open until Friday, September 26, 2025. This review aims to ensure that skilled occupations available for migration truly reflect Australia’s current workforce needs.

There is no limit on the number of visas that can be granted for any one occupation under the employer-sponsored temporary Skills in Demand visa, offering great potential for Australian Employer Services for Visa Sponsorship.

State Nomination Programs and Income Thresholds

Several states are providing updates on their Skilled Migration Visa programs:

South Australia: South Australia’s Skilled Migration Program 2025-26 is running under interim allocations
Western Australia: A small interim allocation has been issued for the 2025–26 Western Australia State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP). This allocation will be used to clear the remaining 2024–25 applications.

The increased skilled visa income thresholds, which took effect from July 1, 2025, continue to be a relevant factor. These thresholds rose by 4.6%, aligning with the annual Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE). The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) now stands at AUD 76,515 for applications lodged on and between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.

Contact Us for Expert Guidance

Whether you’re considering migration to Australia, exploring alternative visa pathways, or an employer planning to sponsor staff, navigating the process effectively requires expert guidance.

Don’t leave your migration journey to chance. Contact us today to speak with our licensed migration agents. Call us on +61 (0)7 5592 0755 or contact us to arrange a consultation. We look forward to assisting you on your path to Australia.