Australian Workers Set to Gain Easier Access to EU Jobs under New Trade Deal
Australian workers could soon gain easier access to jobs across Europe as Canberra and Brussels move closer to finalising a long-awaited free trade agreement that includes a two-way mobility arrangement for skilled professionals and investors. The agreement, which could be signed as early as this month, is expected to simplify temporary work access for highly skilled workers, researchers and business investors travelling between Australia and the European Union.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to travel to Australia as negotiations reach their final stage, although the European Union has not yet officially confirmed the visit. Talks are continuing over key sticking points, particularly quotas for Australian beef and lamb exports, which have faced resistance from European farmers, especially in France.
Australia’s Trade Minister Don Farrell is due to travel to Brussels next week for discussions with EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, as both sides work to resolve remaining differences. Farrell said the European Union is Australia’s largest trading partner without a free trade agreement, adding that concluding the deal would complete Australia’s network of major trade partnerships.
Under the proposed mobility framework, Australian professionals would not gain unrestricted rights to live and work across the EU, but the deal aims to reduce costs, paperwork and delays for temporary work permits. Currently, Australians wishing to stay beyond the standard 90-day visa-free period must apply for country-specific visas or residence permits, a process that often requires employer sponsorship, background checks and lengthy applications handled by national immigration authorities rather than at the border. Europeans travelling to Australia for work or extended stays are also subject to similar visa requirements.
Industry groups have welcomed progress toward an agreement, arguing it would help address skills shortages and improve labour mobility. The European Australian Business Council said an EU deal is the missing piece in Australia’s trade framework, noting that Australia already has free trade agreements with the United States, the United Kingdom and major Asian economies. Business leaders expect the final agreement to streamline procedures for bringing in skilled workers, particularly for renewable energy and infrastructure projects that have faced delays due to labour shortages.
Beyond labour mobility, negotiations are also nearing completion on security cooperation and critical minerals. With the war in Ukraine continuing to shape Europe’s strategic outlook, the EU has been seeking to deepen security ties with trusted partners. At the same time, the bloc is looking to diversify supplies of critical minerals to reduce reliance on China, with Australia seen as a key alternative supplier.
Trade talks between Australia and the EU have progressed unevenly over several years, with disputes over geographical indicators such as the use of names like prosecco and feta, as well as EU demands to remove Australia’s luxury car tax on European vehicles. Despite progress in these areas, disagreements over agricultural quotas remain the final major hurdle.
Business leaders say the removal of remaining tariffs, including those on cars and capital goods, would benefit consumers and domestic manufacturers alike. European investors are also seeking fairer treatment under Australia’s foreign investment rules, as they currently face stricter review thresholds compared to investors from countries with existing free trade agreements.
With negotiations now in a sensitive final phase, both sides say progress will depend on reaching substantive compromises. If concluded, the agreement is expected to boost trade, investment and skilled labour movement between Australia and the European Union, strengthening economic ties between two long-standing partners.
