The White Paper proposes that the Immigration Salary List (ISL), which replaced the Shortage Occupation List earlier in 2024, be withdrawn. Under the ISL, certain roles are permitted lower salary thresholds for visa eligibility, subject to MAC (Migration Advisory Committee) review and recommendation. These concessions will no longer apply.

Instead, the Government says it intends to introduce a new Temporary Shortage List (TSL), with a more restrictive structure and limited access.

This change would reflect a significant policy shift. Rather than offering structural salary exemptions for hard-to-fill roles, the Government intends to compel employers to reduce reliance on migration through investment in local workforce development.

Employers currently relying on the ISL for cost-effective sponsorship will need to reassess their recruitment strategies and budget for higher salary thresholds across the board.