Budget 2026: Jim Chalmers lays out new changes to migration and skilled workers

Treasurer Jim Chalmers was asked by SBS Chief Political Correspondent Anna Henderson about the changes to migration that were set out in the federal budget.

The government is reforming its permanent migration system to select “better educated”, “higher-skilled” and younger migrants to address worker shortages.

Chalmers said the changes were made to “make sure that skilled migration is in the national economic interest”.

This year’s budget has confirmed the permanent migration program will remain capped at 185,000 places, with over 70 per cent of places reserved for skilled migrants.

Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/8WKcImdU2R0