Story perspectives

O’Neil Raises Skilled Visa Threshold Above $70,000

By Drooid · Sep 25, 2026, 6:22 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Australia’s immigration system has produced an underclass of over 3 million temporary visa holders, 16 % of workers.
From 2014 to 2023 the skilled-migrant income threshold remained at $53,900, limiting wages.
Clare O’Neil unfroze the threshold in 2023, raising it above $70,000 and linking it to inflation.
Martin Parkinson says the frozen threshold and later labour-market agreements pushed lower-skilled migrants into Australia.

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Story summary

Australia’s immigration system has produced an underclass of over 3 million temporary visa holders, 16 % of workers.
From 2014 to 2023 the skilled-migrant income threshold remained at $53,900, limiting wages.
Clare O’Neil unfroze the threshold in 2023, raising it above $70,000 and linking it to inflation.
Martin Parkinson says the frozen threshold and later labour-market agreements pushed lower-skilled migrants into Australia.