Australia extends Skilled Refugee Labour Pilot to 2026, offering 500 visa places for businesses to recruit qualified refugees into critical workforce gaps.
The Australian Government has confirmed the extension of the Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot for another 12 months, keeping the program active until 30 June 2026.
First launched in July 2021, the pilot was developed in partnership with global non-profit Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB). It allows employers to recruit skilled refugees and displaced people from a specialised talent database, giving businesses access to workers such as doctors, engineers, software developers, and aged care staff.
The program aims to remove barriers refugees face in accessing skilled migration, offering concessions to standard visa requirements. These include no labour market testing, a reduced income threshold for certain roles, higher age limits, and only functional English as a requirement.
To join the pilot, employers, refugees, and displaced individuals must register with TBB, which provides official endorsement to both businesses and skilled candidates for submission to the Australian Government. Once endorsed, Australian businesses can enter a labour agreement with the Government to sponsor approved skilled refugees or displaced persons.
Endorsed employers can then sponsor candidates under existing visa streams, including the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), Skills in Demand (subclass 482), and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494). After three years on a subclass 494 visa, visa holders may become eligible for permanent residency.
To participate, businesses must prove they are lawfully operating in Australia, financially viable, and able to meet sponsorship obligations, including paying full-time market salary rates. Refugee applicants must meet age, health, character, and English requirements.
With 500 visa places available until June 2026, the government says the pilot will help address critical workforce shortages while offering displaced people a secure migration pathway. The list of occupations available for nomination under the Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot program can be found here.
Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided is intended as a general guide and should not be relied upon as legal or migration advice. As migration laws and regulations can change, we recommend consulting an Australian Lawyer or Registered Migration Agent for advice tailored to your circumstances.
