The Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network Australia (MYAN) has submitted this response to the Joint Standing Committee on Migration’s Inquiry into skilled migration in December 2025. The submission centres on young migrants aged 12-25, who comprised 24% of skilled migration arrivals in 2024-25.
MYAN emphasises that skilled migration extends beyond addressing labour shortages—it intersects critically with youth issues including workforce development, discrimination, belonging and economic opportunity. The organisation acknowledges recent improvements such as the Skills in Demand visa and expanded pathways to permanent residency, but argues further reforms are necessary.
Key recommendations include simplifying visa processes, prioritising younger skilled workers for long-term retention, establishing national governance for qualifications recognition, and enhancing settlement support services. The submission also highlights challenges young skilled migrants face, including complexity in the visa system, insufficient recognition of overseas qualifications, regional settlement difficulties, and vulnerability to workplace exploitation. MYAN draws on international examples from Canada, Germany and New Zealand to illustrate effective migration pathways and argues for a more equitable, inclusive system that maximises young migrants’ contributions to Australia’s future.
