Migration row in Australia: which jobs may stay in demand for Malaysians?

News · 2026-09-11 · 3 min read

Open the news in Australia and you will find a heated argument about migration numbers. Visit a building site, a farm, an aged-care home or a hospitality venue and you will hear a different story: employers cannot find enough people to do the work. For Malaysians planning a move, the second story matters more.

A homes shortage, not just a migrants debate

One state leader has argued that the real problem is too few homes, plus too few tradespeople to build them. Electricians, carpenters and other construction trades are in short supply in almost every state. Trades and construction-linked occupations are therefore likely to stay high on the priority list for state and employer sponsorship, even if other visa categories tighten.

Where the pressure lands first

Not every visa stream is treated the same. The federal government has begun slowing processing of working holiday maker visas, which farming, hospitality and tourism rely on for seasonal and entry-level labour. Farm groups have pushed back, saying there was little consultation.

Expect friction in specific streams, especially working holiday and lower-skilled temporary visas, rather than a full shutdown of migration.

States push back

Several Labor state leaders are publicly resisting their federal colleagues. One has called migration essential to the state's prosperity, pointing to healthcare, labour and farm workers, and warned of risks to international education, the state's largest services export. Another has made similar arguments.

This matters because states run their own skilled and employer-sponsored nomination programs. If premiers keep speaking up for more workers, state nomination may stay more resilient than some federal streams.

What the numbers really say

Net overseas migration was close to 301,000 in 2025. The pre-pandemic norm was roughly 210,000 a year, and opposition calls for caps go as low as 170,000. Business groups reply that one top-line figure hides the mix of students, temporary workers, skilled migrants and family visas, and that the mix decides the economic effect.

In practice, change is more likely to arrive through eligibility rules, processing speed and caps on particular categories than through one big cut.

What to do if you are planning a move

Trades and construction. They remain a strong bet. Have your Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM) papers ready, because trades are usually assessed again in Australia through a skills assessment.
Working holiday and seasonal work. Expect longer waits and apply early.
State nomination. Check what each state is asking for.
Healthcare and aged care. State leaders keep naming these sectors as unable to cope with more shortages.

Whatever your route, prepare a PDRM police clearance if one is requested, an English test such as IELTS or PTE if needed, and certified copies of documents with English translations of anything in Bahasa Malaysia. Check live rules on the Department of Home Affairs website before you commit to a plan.

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