Federal Budget leaves Australia's migration future in limbo

The 2025-26 Federal Budget has brought little clarity to the future of Australia’s migration program, according to BDO Migration Services Principal Lawyer, Rebecca Thomson.

Rebecca said that although migration is a crucial driver of the country’s economic growth, this year’s budget offers surprisingly little detail regarding migration numbers or policy changes.

“For those closely following migration trends, the lack of official figures on permanent migration levels stands out as a notable omission,” she said.

“While previous budgets have included clear planning figures for migration, this year’s documents fail to provide such clarity, leaving key questions unanswered.

“The budget commentary focuses instead on broad themes, such as visa integrity, compliance, and digital transformation, but offers no specific targets or quotas. As a result, businesses and immigration professionals are left uncertain about whether migration levels will change, remain the same, or face reductions.

“This silence on migration numbers raises concerns for employers who rely on skilled migration pathways to meet their workforce needs.”

The budget does, however, allocate significant funding to various visa and migration programs, including $315.2 million for the Migration Program, with an emphasis on visa integrity and employer-sponsored migration.

Additionally, $534.5 million has been earmarked for visa processing and management, with a focus on digital transformation to streamline the visa application process.

The funding for humanitarian and refugee programs stands at $862.1 million, signalling a slight shift in global resettlement priorities, while offshore processing and UMA management receive $580.7 million, with anticipated cost reductions over time.

“For businesses, the lack of clear migration numbers adds to the uncertainty. While employer-sponsored migration remains a priority, further clarity is needed.

“The push for tighter compliance measures means businesses will need to be vigilant in ensuring they meet visa requirements. The ongoing investment in digital systems, while promising, leaves questions about the timing of improvements.

“Ultimately, this year’s budget feels more like an intermission in the broader discussion about migration policy. Stakeholders are left waiting for further announcements to better understand the government’s strategy and its impact on Australia’s corporate immigration landscape in the months ahead.”

For media enquiries:
Tate Papworth 
Manager, Media 
E: Tate.Papworth@bdo.com.au 
Ph: 0433 411 189