The Workforce Rulebook

482 to permanent residency pathways Two years on a 482 can lead to permanent residency through the 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream. Other routes exist. Employer sponsors In force 30 Sep 2026 International student limits New international student commencements are held at 295,000 for 2026 and 2027. Students can work 48 hours a fortnight in session. Enterprise, employer sponsors In force 30 Sep 2026 Labour hire licensing by state Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT require labour hire licences. Hosts face big penalties for using unlicensed providers. Enterprise, agencies In force 30 Sep 2026 Migration Program planning levels The 2026-27 program stays at 185,000 places, but Employer Sponsored rises to 58,040 and Regional falls to 14,110. Employer sponsors Changed 30 Sep 2026 On-Hire Labour Agreements (OHLA) An on-hire provider with a labour agreement can sponsor SID 482 workers and place them with host businesses that do not sponsor directly. Agencies, employer sponsors In force 30 Sep 2026 Priority processing for skilled visas Two new Ministerial Directions put construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture and resources roles first in the skilled visa queue. Enterprise, employer sponsors Changed 30 Sep 2026 Skills in Demand (SID) 482 visa The employer sponsored 482 visa has Specialist, Core and Labour Agreement streams. Income thresholds rose 3.8% on 1 July 2026. Employer sponsors In force 30 Sep 2026 Employee vs contractor Fair Work looks at how the job really works, and the ATO has its own tests for tax and super. The answer depends on the arrangement. Enterprise, agencies, contractors In force 29 Sep 2026 Non-compete and no-poach ban Draft law would ban non-competes for workers under the high income threshold and make no-poach and wage-fixing deals cartel conduct. Enterprise, agencies Draft 29 Sep 2026 Payday Super Super is now paid with every pay run rather than quarterly or monthly. First ATO penalties guidance has been published. Enterprise, agencies, contractors In force 29 Sep 2026 Payroll tax on contractors by state Payments to contractors and on-hire workers can attract state payroll tax. Whether they do depends on the arrangement and the state. Enterprise, agencies In force 29 Sep 2026 Same Job, Same Pay orders The Fair Work Commission can order that labour hire workers are paid at least what the host pays its own staff for the same work. Enterprise, agencies In force 29 Sep 2026 WA Construction Visa Subsidy Program WA building and construction employers can claim up to $10,000 per skilled migrant they sponsor. Funding was extended from 1 July 2026. Enterprise, employer sponsors In force 29 Sep 2026 Working Holiday Maker ballots and specified work A ballot applies only to first 462 visas for China, India and Vietnam. Second and third year visas still need specified work. Employer sponsors Changed 29 Sep 2026