“Labour’s Election Win in Australia Brings Relief for Migrants and International Students”
Background: The Australian Election (2025)
In the recent national elections, the Labour Party, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, won re-election, defeating the Liberal Party, which was led by Peter Dutton.
🛑 What Was at Risk if the Liberal Party Had Won?
Peter Dutton’s Liberal Party proposed a strict immigration policy, aimed at reducing migration to address Australia’s housing crisis. Their plans included:
- ❌Cutting international student visas, especially for diploma programs
- ❌Reducing Temporary Graduate Visas (Subclass 485)
- ❌Limiting employer-sponsored migration routes like TSS (482) and ENS (186)
- ❌Increasing visa scrutiny and refusal rates
- ❌ Blaming migration for housing shortages (though data shows housing supply and investment practices are bigger factors)
✅ Critics feared these policies would harm universities, regional economies, and industries with labor shortages, such as healthcare, aged care, and engineering.
✅WhatLabour’s Victory Means for Migrants and Students
Labour’s re-election brings continuity and stability, not disruption. Key outcomes:
🎓 International Students
- ✅ Student visa policies remain stable for bachelor’s and master’s degree programs
- ⚠️Diploma-level courses face more scrutiny, but no bans
- ✅ Offshore student visa processing continues
- ✅ Better post-study work opportunities remain available (especially in regional areas)
👷 Employer-Sponsored Migration
Labour continues to support:
- ✅TSS (Subclass 482) – Temporary work visa for skilled workers
- ✅ENS (Subclass 186) – Permanent residency via employer nomination
- ✅Subclass 494 – For regional employer-sponsored roles
- ✅ Offshore employer-sponsored visa applications are encouraged
💼 Sectors like healthcare, IT, construction, and aged care will benefit from easier hiring of foreign talent.
🧑🎓 Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) Holders
- ✅ 2-year post-study work rights still apply for bachelor’s holders
- ✅Regional graduates get additional work rights
- ✅Labour is not reducing visa options for TR holders
What Migrants and Future Students Can Expect
- No harsh visa caps or widespread rejections
- Pathways to PR (Permanent Residency) stay intact:
- Subclass 189 (Points-based skilled visa)
- Subclass 190 (State-nominated skilled visa)
- ENS (employer-sponsored PR)
- Labour focuses on retaining talent, not restricting it
🔑 Key Differences – Before vs After the Election | ||
Area | If Liberals Had Won (Before) | With Labour’s Victory (After) |
Student Visas | Cuts, especially diploma-level | No cuts; reforms only for low-quality programs |
Employer-Sponsored Visas | More restrictions and caps | Encouragement and faster offshore processing |
Post-Study Work Rights | Likely reduced | Maintained (2+ years, regional benefits intact) |
Skilled Migration Numbers | Capped or reduced | Maintained at current levels |
PR Pathways (189/190/186) | Limited, harder to qualify | Open, especially for in-demand occupations |
Visa Refusal Rates | Expected increase | Steady or lower with fairer processing |
Migration Narrative | Migrants blamed for housing crisis | Balanced view; focus on planning, supply, investment |
📣 Conclusion
Labour’s win in the 2025 election has eased concerns for thousands of migrants, students, and visa holders. The government supports skilled migration, recognizes the value of international students, and avoids extreme restrictions.
⚠️ While some reforms are expected over time, they are aimed at quality and integrity, not blocking migration.
📣Final Thought
Labour’s win in Australia sends a clear signal to international students:
“If you have the skills and commitment, Australia still welcomes you.”
