Inquiry: Inquiry into the value of skilled migration to Australia
Committee: Joint Standing Committee on Migration
Public Hearing: 4 May 2026 – Adelaide, South Australia
Representative: Chris Johnston, Principal Lawyer, Educator and Founder of Work Visa Lawyers
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb7Vd-x0eCc
Full Transcription: https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=COMMITTEES;id=committees%2Fcommjnt%2F29549%2F0008;query=Id%3A%22committees%2Fcommjnt%2F29549%2F0000%22
Chris Johnston at the Joint Standing Committee on Migration public hearing in Adelaide, 4 May 2026
Chris Johnston appeared before the Australian Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Migration at the Adelaide public hearing for the Inquiry into the value of skilled migration to Australia.
The inquiry considered the role skilled migration plays in Australia’s economy, workforce planning, regional development and long-term national interest. Chris gave evidence based on his experience as an immigration lawyer, educator and founder of Work Visa Lawyers, drawing on his work with skilled migrants, employers, regional businesses and migration professionals.
Key points raised by Chris
Chris’s evidence focused on the practical challenges faced by Australian employers and skilled visa applicants, especially in regional Australia. His key points included:
1. Skilled migration is essential to Australia’s workforce needs
Chris emphasised that skilled migration helps fill critical workforce gaps across Australia, including in regional areas where employers often struggle to attract and retain skilled workers.
2. Regional Australia needs more practical migration settings
Chris highlighted that regional employers often face additional barriers when trying to sponsor skilled workers, including high salary thresholds, visa costs, processing delays and complex requirements.
3. The Subclass 494 regional employer-sponsored visa should be easier to use
Chris discussed the need to make the Subclass 494 visa more practical for employers and skilled workers. This could include aligning the 494 visa more closely with the Skills in Demand Subclass 482 visa and reducing unnecessary barriers for regional employers.
4. Salary thresholds should better reflect regional labour markets
Chris raised concerns that national salary thresholds may be too high for some regional employers, even where there is a genuine skills shortage. A regional concession to the Core Skills Income Threshold could help more regional businesses access the workers they need.
5. Sponsorship costs can be difficult for regional employers
Chris noted that costs such as the Skilling Australians Fund levy can make employer sponsorship difficult, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses in regional areas.
6. DAMAs should be expanded and made faster
Chris supported broader and more efficient use of Designated Area Migration Agreements, especially for regional communities that have clear labour shortages and limited local workforce supply.
7. Processing times and complexity affect real businesses and families
Chris explained that delays and uncertainty in the migration system can affect employers, visa applicants and families. A more efficient, clear and decision-ready system would help both Australian businesses and skilled migrants.
Why this appearance matters
Chris’s appearance before the Joint Standing Committee on Migration reflects Work Visa Lawyers’ broader commitment to migration law, policy advocacy and public education.
Work Visa Lawyers regularly works with employers, skilled migrants, families and regional communities. This experience gives the firm practical insight into how migration policy affects real people and businesses across Australia.
Through this appearance, Chris contributed to the national discussion about how Australia can build a skilled migration system that supports productivity, regional development, workforce needs and fair outcomes for visa applicants.
Check the full transcription: https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=COMMITTEES;id=committees%2Fcommjnt%2F29549%2F0008;query=Id%3A%22committees%2Fcommjnt%2F29549%2F0000%22
