Australia: Work Visas

The 407 Training Visa allows people to build their skills through organised, workplace‑based training programs in Australia.

Legislative reforms commenced on 25 March 2026 to provide employers greater flexibility in determining the Annual Market Salary Rate in circumstances where a relevant Fair Work instrument, state industrial instrument or transitional instrument applies.

The construction sector continues to face one of the tightest labour markets in Australia. Demand for housing and major infrastructure has surged, yet the supply of skilled workers has not kept pace. Jobs and Skills Australia data consistently highlights construction trades, such as bricklayers, carpenters, plasterers, and electricians, in persistent deficit.

DAMAs (Designated Area Migration Agreements) provide concessions to standard visa criteria, including English, salary, experience, and age requirements and broader occupation lists to sponsor workers.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has announced new Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE) figures that will apply to income thresholds for the Subclass 482 and Subclass 186 Visa programs from 1 July 2026.

Australia’s Regional Visa programs, such as DAMAs (Designated Area Migration Agreements), are designed to support regional employers when standard employer-sponsored migration pathways are limited.

Does your business hire Working Holiday Makers (otherwise known as Subclasses 417 and 462 Visa holders) but find the six-month work condition limiting?

For both employers and visa holders, it's important to be aware of current visa processing times and trends that may impact applications and planning. Here's a summary of updates;

Permanent Residence (PR) via the 186 Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Visa has become more accessible for 482 Visa holders since the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 Visa was replaced by the Skills in Demand (SID) Visa in December 2024.