The Migration (International Trade Obligations Relating to Labour Market Testing) Amendment (CEPA) Determination 2025 updates Australia’s migration law to recognise the new Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates.
Normally, employers who want to sponsor overseas workers must show they tried to hire Australians first (labour market testing). But under trade agreements, Australia sometimes agrees not to apply this rule.
This amendment:
- Adds CEPA to the list of trade agreements that create exemptions from labour market testing.
- Brings migration rules into line with customs and tariff changes that also implement CEPA.
- Ensures Australia fully honours its commitments under CEPA.
The CEPA is Australia’s first free trade deal with a Middle Eastern country. It covers goods, services, investment, digital trade, intellectual property, and includes commitments on Indigenous participation, women’s economic empowerment, and environmental standards.
The change is technical in nature but important. It means that where CEPA applies, employers don’t need to do labour market testing before sponsoring overseas workers.
Source: Migration-International-Trade-Obligations-Relating-to-Labour-Market-Testing-Amendment-CEPA-Determination-2025.pdf and
