NSW Migration Plan 2024–28: A Roadmap for Skilled Professionals

Vikrant Gungash
Jun 29
4 min read

By Vikrant Singh, June 29, 2025

New South Wales has launched its inaugural State Migration Plan (Strategic Overview 2024–2028), a clear invitation to skilled workers. NSW already receives the largest share of migrants to Australia, and this Plan underscores its ambition to remain the top destination for global talent. It sets strategic priorities for migration that explicitly link incoming talent to areas of critical skill shortage. The government’s message is that targeted migration will support workforce needs in priority industries and help fill gaps that domestic training alone cannot meet. As the first NSW State Migration Plan, it formalises how the state will build a resilient, inclusive, and highly skilled workforce to drive economic growth.

Joint State–Federal Migration Effort

The new Plan was developed in close coordination with the Federal Government. NSW is working with the Australian Government to deliver shared migration priorities, meaning state and federal agencies will collaborate on bringing skilled migrants to NSW. Projects like expanding the care and support economy and building new homes require more trained workers, so Canberra and NSW have aligned their strategies. By syncing with the Federal Migration Strategy, both governments aim to make the visa system fast, efficient and fair, streamline migration processes, and remove barriers for migrants. The Plan emphasises multi-year planning, data sharing and whole-of-government consultation, ensuring that migrants’ skills are matched to state and national needs and that new arrivals get the support they need to succeed.

Priority Industries for Migration

The Plan identifies six critical industries where overseas talent is most urgently needed. Officials highlight that the Critical Skills Areas in NSW’s Skills Plan cannot be fully met through local training alone, so migration will help address workforce needs in these fields. Those six priority areas are:

Construction (infrastructure and housing)
Net Zero & Energy Transition (renewable energy and clean tech)
Care and Support Economy (healthcare, aged care and disability services)
Digital & Cyber (information technology and cybersecurity)
Agriculture & Agrifood (farming, food processing and agri-business)
Advanced Manufacturing (high-tech production and innovation)

Each of these sectors is facing skill shortages in NSW, so migrants with relevant qualifications will be especially in demand. NSW will rely on skilled immigration to staff major projects like new housing and renewable energy builds, as well as to expand vital services. The state’s nomination lists for skilled visas are expected to reflect these priorities, making it easier for qualified applicants in these fields to secure work and residency pathways.

Regional Planning and Skills Integration

The strategy also emphasises region-based planning. NSW intends to tailor migration to local labour needs, not just the big cities. Regional skills planning is seen as key to ensuring migration supports regional economies. In practice, this means skilled migrants will be directed to areas that need them most, whether it’s teachers in a country school or nurses in a rural hospital. The government will integrate migration with its education and training programs – for example, recognising overseas qualifications and aligning student-to-work pathways. This coordinated approach aims to create a resilient, inclusive, and highly skilled workforce that can fuel prosperity across all of NSW.

Importantly, the Plan includes settlement support for newcomers. It explicitly calls for supporting migrants to settle and integrate into communities. This means new arrivals can expect practical help—language and career services, social integration programs, and other resources—so they can thrive once they arrive. By combining clear migration pathways with local support, NSW is signalling that it wants migrants to not just come, but succeed and stay.

International Students and Talent Pipeline

Attracting international students is another key goal. The Plan notes that bringing and retaining the best and brightest international students will boost the state’s skills pipeline and economy. NSW wants overseas students to study and then transition into the workforce here. This benefits everyone: students gain career opportunities, universities gain top talent, and industries gain skilled graduates. For skilled migrants and students, it means NSW will continue to offer post-study work options and supportive visa pathways. Graduates in NSW industries related to the priority sectors can look forward to initiatives that help them stay and work in the state after graduation.

What This Means for Skilled Migrants

Overall, the new NSW State Migration Plan sends a clear message to skilled professionals: your skills are in demand and NSW will help you succeed. The strategy lays out specific targets and support systems so migrants know exactly where their talents fit in the economy. This is good news for anyone planning a move to Australia – it provides a structured pathway by aligning state nomination lists and visa programs with real industry needs. As the plan itself emphasizes, NSW is committed to building a resilient, inclusive, and highly skilled workforce and remaining a leading destination for global talent. For skilled workers and international students plotting their move, the outlook in New South Wales has never been more promising.

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