Record Surge in Skilled Temporary Visas: What It Means for Migrants and Employers

Australia is experiencing a record number of skilled temporary visas being granted, but the system is showing signs of strain. At AustraliaMigrate, as immigration specialists in Sydney, we help individuals and employers navigate these complex changes in the migration landscape.

What’s Happening With Skilled Temporary Visas?

In the past year, more people than ever before have received skilled temporary visas (Subclass 482 – formerly 457). For the first time, the majority of these visas have been granted onshore to former students and temporary graduates, rather than to skilled workers applying from overseas.

This has created two major issues:

1. Visa Processing Delays – With over 219,000 people now holding skilled temporary visas, both temporary and permanent employer sponsored visa applications are facing longer processing times.
2. Skills shortages in certain industries – The construction industry is facing urgent skill shortages in construction trades and is not being granted sufficient visas relative to other industries. This possibly has to do with the skill assessment requirements which many nationalities have to comply with before applying for a 482 visa. application.

Why Is This Happening?

Several factors are driving the surge in applications:

• The skilled work experience requirement was reduced from two years to one year, making more graduates eligible.
• A record number of temporary graduates and working holiday makers are already in Australia, seeking pathways to stay longer.
• Cookery courses are widely offered by VET colleges and can often be completed in 6–12 months, unlike construction trade training, which takes much longer and faces regulatory hurdles.

The result? Many international students and graduates move into cookery pathways, while skilled migration visas for construction workers lag behind, despite the industry’s clear shortages.

What This Means for Employers

Employers looking to fill urgent skill gaps through the Employer Sponsored Visa program may face longer waiting periods, particularly in 2025–26. With only 44,000 places allocated to permanent employer sponsored visas in the Migration Program, demand far outweighs supply.

Employers in industries like construction may find it challenging to access the skilled workers they need, while the system continues to see high numbers of visas for hospitality roles.

What This Means for Skilled Migrants

For skilled migrants already in Australia, particularly graduates, the Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage Visa remains a key pathway. However, securing a permanent visa such as the Employer Sponsored Visa (ENS 186) may take longer.

Migrants in high-demand occupations — such as construction trades — still have strong long-term prospects, even if training and recognition take more time. On the other hand, applicants in cookery may face more competition given the large number of similar applications.

How AustraliaMigrate Can Help

As an immigration specialist in Sydney, AustraliaMigrate assists both individuals and businesses with:

• Work visas in Australia – including Subclass 482 (TSS visa), Subclass 186 (ENS visa), and regional visa options.
• Sponsorship visas – helping employers sponsor skilled workers to fill shortages.
• Skilled migration visas – guiding applicants through independent or employer-linked permanent residency pathways.
• Partner visas, student visas, and parent visas – supporting families and individuals in their journey to Australia.

Looking Ahead

It’s clear that Australia’s migration system is under pressure. More reform is needed to align visa grants with genuine skill shortages, especially in construction. In the meantime, understanding your options and planning strategically is more important than ever.

If you’re considering applying for an Australia visa application or need advice on sponsorship visas in Australia, our team at AustraliaMigrate is here to help.

Visit www.australiamigrate.com to book a consultation with one of our experienced migration agents in Sydney.