Australia’s migration system is under renewed scrutiny after a federal working visa skills list revealed a raft of occupations that critics argue do little to address the nation’s housing and construction woes, The Daily Telegraphreported.
The Home Affairs skills list shows that estate agents, auctioneers, singers, golfers and even deer hunters are eligible for skilled migration pathways, alongside roles such as historian, tennis coach, umpire, lifeguard, dog handler, picture framer, and dancer.
Further occupations drawing criticism include sign writer, property manager, turf grower, acupuncturist, grape grower, pet groomer, drama teacher, and homoeopath.
These professions are permitted varying types of visas, most commonly employer-sponsored visas that can lead to permanent residency. Others – including dancers, gym coaches, acupuncturists, and tennis coaches – can be granted permanent visas allowing them to live and work in Australia without sponsorship.
Housing advocates and industry figures have questioned how importing such workers helps a country grappling with a chronic housing shortage, soaring rents, and an under‑resourced building sector.
The criticism comes amid a broader affordability crunch, with 2025 marked by rapid price growth in lower‑priced markets, a sharp undersupply of listings and new construction running well below Housing Accord targets even as population growth and first‑home buyer schemes stoke demand.
Real estate agents, auctioneers, and property managers have attracted particular ire, given how quickly people can qualify locally. Critics noted that in recent years it was possible to obtain certification to be a NSW agent in as little as four days, while it now typically takes about a year of training plus work experience across many markets.
Aaron Scott, founder of comparison group bRight Agent, said some of the occupations on the list were “questionable”, including real estate agents.
“We run a real estate agent comparison service … we definitely don’t need to be importing more auctioneers or real estate agents – there’s already one on every corner,” Scott said. “Perhaps it’s time for a re-look at the Skilled Occupation List … especially during a domestic housing crisis.”
He said policymakers needed to ask whether there was a genuine shortage of some listed skills that could not be met locally.
“I’m not saying we don’t need locksmiths, sports umpires, or picture framers, but do we really need to import them during a domestic housing crisis?" Scott said. "Does Australia not have enough clowns, gardeners, or pet groomers? When was the last time someone arrived on an urgent Deer Farmer visa?”
The controversy comes as Australia struggles to build enough homes to keep pace with rapid population growth, with federal and state governments promising hundreds of thousands of new dwellings. Those targets are not being met, with building experts pointing to key labour shortages in core construction trades.
Daniel Wild, Institute of Public Affairs deputy executive director, said the current migration mix was exacerbating housing shortages and needed an overhaul.
“Instead of bringing in more skilled tradesmen to help build more houses, industry figures show that as little as 3.6% of the Temporary Skills Shortage visas granted in the year to June 2024 were for workers with key home building skills,” Wild said.
“This demonstrates perfectly how little skills matter in Australia’s migration system.”
Wild said the latest ABS figures showed approximately 35% of migrants arriving last financial year came on student visas and about 30% on working holiday or visitor visas.
“Australians should not be fooled into believing our migration system is skills based," he said. "In fact, skilled migration accounted for less than one quarter of all net overseas migration in the last financial year.
“Australia has always been a welcoming country; however, a successful migration program must be properly planned for, have the consent of the community, and be targeted toward areas of economic need. The federal government’s approach to migration is failing on all three counts.”
Australia’s Home Affairs Department was contacted for comment.
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