Temporary Resident (Skilled) Report (June 2025): Key Migration Trends

Australia’s migration program is a cornerstone of the nation’s economic growth, designed to fill skill shortages and attract the best and brightest skilled workers from around the globe. The Australian Government carefully calibrates the program year to year, ensuring it aligns with the evolving needs of the labour market. For anyone considering a move to Australia, whether you are a prospective skilled migrant or an experienced skilled professional already in Australia, staying informed with up-to-date data is critical for a successful visa application.

The Importance of Current Data in Skilled Migration

While many people focus on meeting the eligibility criteria for a specific visa subclass, understanding the broader context of Australia’s migration system can give you a significant strategic advantage. It is not enough merely to just check an occupation list. You also need to know which sectors are receiving the most visa grants, where demand is highest for skilled workers, and which visa pathways are currently most active.

The Department of Home Affairs publishes a range of reports that provide a detailed snapshot of this activity. The Temporary Resident (Skilled) Report, for the period ending 30 June 2025, offers a wealth of valuable insights, revealing crucial trends for all eligible applicants.

Key data points from the latest June report include:

• Top Occupations: Chefs, Resident Medical Officers, and Motor Mechanics are consistently among the most-granted occupations for primary visa applicants.
• Leading Industries: The Health Care and Social Assistance, Accommodation and Food Services, and Other Services sectors are consistently leading the demand for skilled workers and skilled professionals
• Key Source Countries: India, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom remain the top three countries of citizenship for primary visa grants, reflecting long-standing migration patterns.

2024-25 Migration Program Planning Levels

For the 2024–25 permanent migration program, the Australian Government has allocated 132,200 places to the Skill stream, which represents 71% of the total 185,000 permanent migration spots.

Within the Skill stream, the largest share of places has been designated for Employer Sponsored visas, with an allocation of 44,000. State/Territory Nominated and Regional visa categories have been allocated 33,000 places each. The planning level for the Skilled Independent visa has been significantly reduced to 16,900, while the Global Talent visa has also seen a decrease in anticipation of the new National Innovation Visa (NIV).

The remaining 29% of permanent migration places have been allocated to the Family stream, with the majority reserved for Partner visas (40,500).

Key Visa Pathways for Skilled Migrants

Australia's skilled migration program provides a range of visa options. Many of these require a points test or nomination from an Australian state, territory, or employer.

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189): This is a points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or a state or territory government. This visa is highly competitive given the significant reduction in places for the 2024–25 program year.

State or Territory Nominated Visas: These visas require nomination from an Australian state and territory government:

• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190): A permanent visa for which eligible applicants are typically expected to live and work in the nominating state or territory. The nomination process for this visa subclass is a popular option for skilled migrants seeking permanent residence, as it can add extra points to their Home Affairs points test score.
• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491): This is a five-year provisional visa that offers a clear pathway to permanent residence after three years for those willing to live and work in designated regional areas. This visa subclass is designed to address acute skill shortages in regional Australia.

Employer Sponsored Visas: This category is for skilled workers with a job offer from an Australian employer. The employer-sponsored stream is a dominant pathway in Australia’s migration program, with a large number of places allocated in the 2024–25 program year.

• Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482): A temporary visa for skilled workers filling labour market shortages. The Subclass 482 visa came into effect on 7 December 2024, completely replacing the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa.
• Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186): A permanent visa with three streams: Direct Entry, Labour Agreement, and Temporary Residence Transition.
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 494): A temporary visa for skilled workers sponsored by a regional employer.

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Book a Consultation‍

If you are interested in getting more information about a visa, get in touch with Australian Migration Lawyers for a consultation.

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A Closer Look at Skilled Visa Grants and the National Innovation Visa

The Temporary Resident (Skilled) Report for the period ending 30 June 2025 provides detailed insights into which visa pathways are most active for skilled migrants. For primary applicants granted a permanent/provisional visa who last held a temporary resident (skilled) visa, the data shows:

• Employer Sponsored visas were the most common pathway, with 24,680 grants, representing 76.8% of the total. This category saw a 24.0% increase from the previous year.
• State/Territory Nominated visas saw 3,330 grants, an increase of 5.6%.
• Skilled Independent visas received 1,710 grants, a decrease of 50.1%.
• Regional visas were granted 1,050 times, a decline of 35.2%.
• Global Talent (Independent) visas experienced a 37.1% decrease, with 480 grants.

The significant decrease in grants for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) and Global Talent visa (subclass 858) points to a deliberate shift in government policy. The report's data on visa grants for the 2024–25 financial year confirms that the employer-sponsored stream is the most dominant pathway for skilled migrants transitioning to permanent residency. This is particularly true for skilled workers in critical sectors who can secure a job offer from an Australian employer to fill skills shortages.

For high-calibre talent, the Australian Government has introduced a new National Innovation Visa (NIV), which will replace the Global Talent visa (subclass 858). The NIV is a permanent visa designed to attract internationally recognised individuals who will drive economic growth in sectors of national importance. It is a new and promising pathway for exceptionally talented migrants and entrepreneurs. Get expert help from Australian Migration Lawyers to understand whether this visa subclass is the right option for you.

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State-Specific Nomination Updates

While the national data provides a broad overview, skilled migration success is often determined by a state’s or territory’s specific nomination criteria. The detailed updates for each state and territory below are based on the latest Temporary Resident (Skilled) Report June 2025 figures. These state-specific pages provide further information to help you navigate the process of seeking nomination.

Each guide provides:

• An analysis of where visa grants are increasing.
• Information on which industries are driving demand.
• A list of the top occupations in each state or territory.
• Guidance on eligibility for a skilled migration visa.
• How professional support can assist in preparing a strong Expression of Interest (EOI) and securing state nomination.

Ready to Explore?

A skilled visa nomination is a crucial step in the process. For further details on what is happening in each location, click on the links below.

Victoria

New South Wales

Queensland

Western Australia

South Australia

Northern Territory

Australian Capital Territory

Tasmania

Need Expert Support?

Still, navigating Australia’s migration system can be a complex and competitive process. The right information and guidance can make all the difference. If you need help with the visa application process, preparing a strong EOI, or meeting state nomination criteria, contact our experienced team at Australian Migration Lawyers. From our experience, we know that success depends on meticulous preparation. We stay up to date with evolving Australian Government priorities and policy changes, ensuring you receive tailored advice based on the latest guidelines. Do not leave your visa application to chance; get professional help today.