Australia’s skilled migration settings are being redesigned, with healthcare and trades among the areas receiving greater attention under the Government’s September 2026 migration reform announcements.
On 17 September 2026, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced a package of migration reforms covering who arrives, who stays and who leaves. The skilled migration component includes a redesigned points test and changes to processing priorities for key sectors.
Healthcare and construction among priority sectors
The Government has announced that skilled migration processing will prioritise a range of sectors including healthcare, construction, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources, as well as occupations connected with law enforcement and defence.
This is particularly relevant for international students considering courses that lead to careers in healthcare, teaching or construction and trades. However, priority processing is different from visa eligibility: being in a priority sector does not by itself guarantee an invitation, nomination or visa grant.
What is changing for trades?
One of the most significant announced changes is a redesign of the skilled migration points test. The Government has indicated that relevant trade and construction qualifications will receive greater recognition, with trade qualifications intended to receive treatment comparable with university qualifications under the redesigned framework.
Important: reports referring to an “extra 5 points” should be treated carefully. As at the publication of this article, the final redesigned points table and exact uplift for individual qualifications had not been published. Applicants should not add an assumed five points to their current score until the new rules are formally released and commence.
What this could mean for international students
For international students choosing a course in Australia, these announcements reinforce the importance of considering your long-term career and migration objectives when selecting a qualification.
- Healthcare: nursing and other eligible health professions may remain relevant to Australia’s workforce needs, subject to professional registration and visa requirements.
- Teaching: teaching remains one of the sectors identified in skilled migration processing priorities.
- Trades and construction: the proposed points-test redesign gives greater recognition to trade qualifications, while construction is also identified as a priority sector.
- Other sectors: agriculture, resources, aquaculture and fishing are also included in the announced priority settings.
Does this mean a course will lead to PR?
No. Choosing a course in a priority sector does not automatically provide a pathway to permanent residence. Skilled migration depends on the visa subclass, occupation, skills assessment, English, points, nomination or invitation requirements and other applicable criteria.
Students should also distinguish between course selection, occupation eligibility, points-test settings and visa processing priority. These are separate parts of the migration system.
What should students do now?
- Identify the occupation you are aiming for before selecting a course.
- Check the current skills assessment and professional registration requirements.
- Calculate your points under the rules currently in force rather than assuming future points.
- Consider course location, duration, tuition fees and employment prospects alongside migration considerations.
- Monitor the final legislation and policy instruments when the redesigned points test is implemented.
Planning to study in Australia with a future PR pathway in mind?
StudyChoice can help you compare courses and study options based on your education, career goals and potential migration pathways.
Source and disclaimer
This article is based on the Australian Government’s migration reform announcement by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke on 17 September 2026 and subsequent published skilled visa processing directions. The exact implementation of the redesigned points test should be checked against the legislation and official Department of Home Affairs guidance when released.
Australian Government – Minister Tony Burke: Migration reform announcement
General information only. This article does not constitute migration advice. Visa requirements and policy settings can change.