Political Focus Shifts to Migrant Values as Net Migration Falls

Australia’s net migration fell to just over 305,000 last financial year, as political debate turns from immigration numbers to the values and beliefs expected of new arrivals. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported on Thursday that net overseas migration (NOM), the difference between arrivals and departures, dropped 6,000 from the previous year and 250,000 below…

New Skills Assessment Mandatory for Pathway 1 Trade Applicants From 2026

VETASSESS has announced that all Pathway 1 trade applicants must submit a Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Skills (LLND) assessment with their application from January 1, 2026. Pathway 1 is a route for trade skill assessment for people without Australian qualifications. The assessing authority confirmed the change applies to applicants lodging a Documentary Evidence Assessment…