The Joint Standing Committee on Migration will be holding public hearings in Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast in the coming days for its inquiry into the value of skilled migration to Australia.
These build on public hearings already held in Canberra, Adelaide, and Sydney earlier this year. The committee will hear more perspectives from stakeholders involved in the migration system, including industry associations, migration agents and lawyers, academics, migrant support and community services, and vocational education providers.
In Melbourne, the committee's focus will be on the business and technology sectors, and migration agents, legal and settlement services.
Moving to Brisbane and the Gold Coast, the committee will hear from South East Queensland-based multicultural organisations providing education and settlement services for migrants, as well as unions and employers.
"Throughout the inquiry, the committee has heard about the important role the skilled migration program plays in Australia's economy," Committee Chair, Mr Steve Georganas MP, said. "At these hearings, we look forward to engaging with the business community to better understand if the program is meeting the needs of employers in key and emerging sectors. We are also interested in learning more about initiatives to encourage and support migrants to build their skills and settle in local communities, including pathways from education to skilled migration visas."
The committee expects to conduct additional hearings in Canberra later this year. More details about the inquiry, including the terms of reference, submissions, public hearing transcripts, and upcoming public hearings are available on the committee's website.
Public hearing details
Melbourne
Date: Friday, 21 August 2026
Time: 9.30 am to 4.20 pm AEST
Location: Flinders Room, Mantra on Russell, 222 Russell Street, Melbourne
Brisbane
Date: Monday, 24 August 2026
Time: 10.20 am to 3.20 pm AEST
Location: Committee Room 1, Queensland Parliament, Corner George and Alice Streets, Brisbane
Gold Coast
Date: Tuesday, 25 August 2026
Time: 9.00 am to 12.50 pm AEST
Location: Apollo Room 1, Mantra Legends Hotel, 25 Laycock Street, Surfers Paradise
The hearings will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.
