Australia shifts skilled visa processing to prioritise onshore applicants

Australia’s visa processing changes could reshape the pathway for skilled migrants seeking opportunities in the country. T he Australian government has changed the order in which skilled visa applications are processed, giving priority to workers already in Australia over most applicants applying from overseas. The change was directed by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke on 24 July and took effect the following day. It was not publicly announced at the time, with details later reflected in updated Department of Home Affairs processing guidance. Under the revised processing order, applications from onshore skilled workers will generally be considered ahead of offshore applicants for temporary and permanent skilled visas. Workers in law enforcement and the defence industry will receive the highest priority, while offshore applicants outside healthcare, teaching and construction will receive the lowest priority. The change also ends priority processing for regional skilled visa applications. The government has been seeking to reduce net overseas migration following the sharp increase in migration after Australia’s borders reopened. Net migration reached a record 556,000 in 2023 and has become a major political issue, with housing, infrastructure and public services frequently cited in the debate. Migration Institute chief executive Peter van Vliet said the change represented a clear shift in processing priorities. He argued that prioritising applicants already in Australia would tend to reduce net migration because those migrants have already been counted in Australia’s population, but said it could also affect the ability of businesses to recruit skilled workers from overseas. Australian National University migration expert Alan Gamlen said the change would create a stronger incentive for employers to recruit from within Australia. He said the policy involved trade-offs between managing the large number of temporary migrants already in the country and maintaining access to overseas talent. A Department of Home Affairs spokesperson said an onshore-focused approach would support migrants who were already living and working in Australia and seeking permanent residency. Business groups have expressed concern about the impact on recruitment. Business Council of Australia chief executive Bran Black said the change could make it more difficult for employers to access specialised overseas skills, particularly in construction, energy, research and technology. He said skilled migration remained important for addressing workforce shortages and supporting productivity and economic growth. Former senior immigration official Abul Rizvi questioned how much effect the change would have on overall migration levels, suggesting the impact on offshore processing times may be limited. Van Vliet argued that delays for offshore applicants could become much longer because applications in lower priority categories would be processed only after higher priority onshore applications. Government data shows that over the past decade a majority of temporary skilled visas and a substantial share of permanent skilled visas were granted to applicants outside Australia. The proportion of offshore grants has already declined in recent years. The change does not alter visa eligibility rules, but it changes the order in which applications are assessed, giving the government greater influence over the timing of visa grants without changing legislation. Burke is expected to outline the government’s broader migration objectives in a speech to the National Press Club later this week. Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun. 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