Home Affairs approves 71 companies for second-phase visa scheme
Phase II approvals follow assessment of 138 applications, Home Affairs says.
Home Affairs has approved 71 companies in the second phase of its Trusted Employer Scheme, the department announced on Thursday, 5 November.
The approvals follow an assessment of 138 applications. Participating employers will receive simpler visa procedures, less paperwork and more predictable processing times when recruiting critical international skills, the department said.
Phase II assessment completed
Phase II opened on 20 July 2026 and widened the scheme to cover strategic infrastructure projects, regional and global headquarters, and qualifying financial institutions. Thursday's announcement marks the completion of that application assessment.
Minister Leon Schreiber presented the expansion as part of Home Affairs' wider immigration reforms, aimed at attracting investment and supporting employment.
The announcement gives the number of companies approved, rather than a tally of visas issued or jobs created. It does not identify the participating companies or publish a new numerical processing-time target.