Planning a move from Kenya to Australia? What two fresh workforce reports say about skilled visas
News · 2026-08-25 · 5 min read
Short answer: the two reports published in August 2026 are cautiously encouraging for skilled workers, but they do not remove the need for careful planning. The Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa appears to be working as designed, salaries are rising, and the labour market is strong but uneven. For someone in Nairobi or Mombasa, the practical lesson is to aim at a role and sector where demand is visible, and to prepare for the first months after arrival as seriously as the visa application.
The visa behind the headlines
The Skills in Demand visa launched in December 2024 and replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) pathway. The first review covers roughly ten months, through September 2025. The sample is small, so treat it as an early signal rather than proof. Even so, the early results match what the government said the reform was meant to do.
One finding matters directly if you are negotiating with a sponsoring employer. Nominated salaries under the new visa are higher than under the old TSS system, and the indexed salary thresholds now rise every year. A salary that clears the threshold today may need revisiting before a contract is signed next year, so ask the employer how the figure will be checked.
Who is getting approved
The occupation data is the most useful part for a self-check. The table below summarises the pattern.
| Route | Who dominated approvals | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist Skills Stream | Managers and professionals | Senior or specialist profiles are the natural fit |
| Core Skills Stream | Professionals, technicians and trades workers | Qualified technicians and tradespeople have a clear route |
| Labour Agreements | Use is rising markedly | Worth watching if your industry fits poorly on standard lists |
Labour Agreements are tailored arrangements negotiated by employers when standard visa subclasses do not suit their workforce. They are quietly becoming a bigger part of the picture. If your trade or industry feels awkward on the standard occupation lists, a tailored agreement may open a door that an ordinary nomination cannot. Our guide to why skilled trades are such a strong pathway shows how that plays out for tradespeople.
Where the jobs are growing
The companion report found that the labour market is holding up overall, with early signs of cooling in some pockets. Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services) and Professional, Scientific and Technical Services led employment growth over the year, with Health Care and Social Assistance and Education and Training close behind. Professionals as a group posted the biggest employment gains of any occupational category in the year to February 2026. Use this to choose a sector to target, not only a visa subclass.
What happens after you land
Outcomes for migrants vary widely with skills, English proficiency, work experience and time spent in Australia. Female migrants face higher unemployment than male migrants in most states and territories, and recent arrivals do worse than people who have been settled for longer. None of that is a reason to hold back. It is a reason to plan English practice, local work experience and professional networking before you fly. You can build a clear CV with Build AI CV while you plan, and see our notes on choosing a state before you decide where to settle.
Common mistakes Kenyan applicants make with this data
- Reading a small early sample as proof that approval is easy.
- Assuming a local certificate, such as a NITA trade test certificate or a university degree, automatically matches an Australian licence, skills assessment or registration. It does not.
- Describing a job by its title instead of its duties, which can lead to the wrong occupation classification.
- Ignoring the settling-in period and arriving with no plan for English, work experience or contacts.
Occupation classification is one of the highest-impact details in an application. For Australian immigration advice, speak to a migration agent on the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) register, and for New Zealand use a licensed immigration adviser or someone lawfully exempt from licensing. Browse current openings on our jobs page to see how employers describe roles.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Skills in Demand visa proven yet?
Not yet. It is young and the sample is small. The early signs only suggest the settings are doing what was intended.
Do salary thresholds change?
Yes. They are indexed and rise annually, so check the current figure close to the date you sign.
Which occupations are being approved most?
Managers and professionals in the Specialist Skills Stream, and professionals, technicians and trades workers in the Core Skills Stream.
Can a Kenyan qualification be used directly?
It is a starting point, but a skills assessment, licence or registration may still be needed, depending on the occupation.
Should I wait for more data?
The reports suggest the settings will keep evolving through 2026, so revisit your plan as they do rather than waiting for a perfect moment.
Key takeaways
- The 482 visa is young, and the early data is encouraging but based on a small sample.
- Nominated salaries are higher than under TSS, and thresholds are indexed each year.
- Managers, professionals, technicians and trades workers are the main groups approved.
- Labour Agreements are growing as an alternative route.
- Plan for English, local experience and networking, not just the visa.
#skilled visa #subclass 482 #australia jobs #workforce data #kenya
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