About this Submission

The NSW Government conducted a feasibility study for a state-led migration agreement in Q2 2025.

The feasibility study was conducted by Investment NSW. Business NSW’s submission to the feasibility study:

• Recognised the potential benefits of a state-led migration framework in aligning skilled migration settings with local workforce needs;
• Identified risks and operational challenges that would need to be addressed for a framework of this kind to achieve its aims. These included:
  • Reducing the administrative burden on small and medium employers in working with Australia’s skilled migration system;
  • Ensuring adequate service standards for both employers and migrants; 
  • Preserving the integrity of existing arrangements, including under the Orana DAMA. 

The submission emphasised a state-wide migration agreement must enhance rather than dilute efforts to ensure the fitness for purpose of skilled migration programs and associated support services. The effective coordination of both will be essential if place-based solutions in regional economic development are to be effective.