Australia’s record surge in skilled temporary visas is clogging the system, while leaving the nation’s most urgent trade shortages unresolved, writes Dr Abul Rizvi. There was a record 130,571 skilled temporary visas granted in 2024-25, beating the previous record of 126,361 set in 2012-13. The new onshore record visa grants were 70,218 in 2025-26, beating the previous record of 53,829 set in 2012-13. As those circumstances are likely to continue in 2025-26, it is likely another record onshore skilled temporary visas will be granted. That will mean processing times for both temporary skilled visas and permanent employer sponsored visas will continue to blow out.