Labor Wins Australia 2025 Election: Impacts on Immigration Policy

The Australia 2025 election outcome has set Australia’s immigration direction for the next three years. With a strong victory, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party secured a second term, meaning the government’s long-term migration plans will continue.

This article explains what the election result means for migration policy, highlighting key changes and what they mean for students, skilled workers, and employers.

The Election: What Happened and Why It Matters

The May 2025 election was a decisive win for Labor. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton campaigned on cutting migration sharply, but this message didn’t win public support, and he even lost his own seat.

Labor’s win ensures the continuation of the December 2024 migration strategy, which focuses on steady reductions in net migration, maintaining skilled worker intake, and tightening rules on student and temporary visas.

What Will Continue Under Labor

• Migration strategy from December 2024 continues with phased reforms.

• The humanitarian program will stay at 20,000 places

• Core employer-sponsored visas, like the Skills In Demand (Subclass 482) visa, will remain central to bringing in skilled workers.

• The government remains opposed to reviving the Significant Investor Visa program.

Labor has also committed to reviewing the Disability Discrimination Act in 2025, though no clear plans have been announced about changing migration-related exemptions.

Key Changes Coming

1. Rising Student Visa Costs and Stricter Rules

Labour has pledged to increase the student visa application fee increasing it from AUD 1,600 to AUD 2,000.

In addition, Labor has signaled plans for tougher English language requirements and integrity checks on student visa applicants. While no new official cap on student numbers is planned, these measures are likely to reduce inflows and raise costs.

2. Skilled Migration Points Test Review

Labor is reviewing the skilled migration points system, with key questions under consideration:

• Should the regional 491 visa remain part of the system?

• Should applicants keep receiving points for community language skills (NAATI points)?

• Should additional points be given for applicants with partners who have work experience?

3. Regional Migration Support

The government is also looking at ways to make it easier for regional employers to bring in skilled workers, including:

• Salary threshold concessions.

• Skilling Australia Fund (SAF) concessions.

• Reducing formal skills assessment requirements in some industries.

Visa Processing Challenges

Despite promises of faster processing times, significant delays remain:

• The Skills in Demand visa, launched in late 2024, was meant to process applications in 7–14 days, but now averages 46–84 days.

• Subclass 482 work visas are experiencing 6–9 month wait times.

• Employer-sponsored permanent visas can take up to 18 months.

This backlog is causing frustration among businesses needing skilled workers and applicants waiting on decisions.

What Does This Mean for Employers and Migrants?

For businesses, the Australia 2025 election migration result means continued access to employer-sponsored skilled worker pathways, but rising costs and tighter rules for student and graduate visas.

For skilled workers and students, early planning and understanding the new rules will be essential to navigating Australia’s immigration system in the coming Financial Year.

Need Help With Your Visa Application?

Confused about how these changes impact your visa application? Book a consultation with RACC today.

Our expert migration consultants can help you navigate the latest rules, avoid delays, and strengthen your application for the best chance of success.

Book a Consultation