Federal Budget: 5 key implications for employers

In the 2026 Federal Budget, the Government made the following resourcing commitments that may affect Australian employers:

About 71% of the 185,000 places set for the 2026–2027 permanent Migration Program will be allocated to skilled workers. The selection of permanent skilled migrants will be changed to select better educated, higher‑skilled and younger migrants.
A new, modern skills assessment system will be implemented for Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) to facilitate the integration of occupational licensing, including streamlined assessment‑to‑licensing pathways for priority trades such as electricians and plumbers.
TRA will deliver a new program of skills assessments for onshore visa-holders, ensuring their existing qualifications and practical trade experience is recognised for the purposes of gaining employment and meeting workforce shortages.
The Carer Inclusive Workplace Initiative will assist employers to develop and adopt practices that support employees with caring responsibilities to enter and remain in the workforce.
The Fair Work Commission will continue to provide specialised supports to small businesses navigating the Fair Work dispute and resolution system and Commission processes.

Unguarded dough mixer a recipe for disaster for repeat offender
A manufacturer of specialist frozen Chinese appetisers has been fined $180,000 in relation to an incident in which a worker injured their hand when using an inadequately guarded dough mixer ...