Fact-Check Debunks Claim Australia Imported More Yoga Teachers Than Builders

A viral assertion by Liberal senator Andrew Bragg that the Albanese government had “brought in more yoga teachers than construction workers” has been ruled false by AAP FactCheck (30 October). Department of Home Affairs data show fewer than five yoga-instructor visas have been granted since the India-Australia free-trade deal created the occupation code in late 2022, compared with more than 37,000 construction-sector skilled visas over the same period.

The fact-check matters for mobility teams because political narratives can influence cap settings and media scrutiny of priority occupation lists. Industry groups fear skilled migration could become collateral damage in the housing-affordability debate as both major parties court voters ahead of the 2026 election.

For now the data reaffirm that builders, civil engineers and project managers dominate the skilled stream, with construction visas growing from 10,589 in 2022-23 to 15,524 in 2024-25. Employers should nevertheless expect tougher justification requirements as the government seeks “labour-market integrity” while holding the permanent-migration cap at 185,000.

Communication tip: when briefing executives or media, rely on official pivot-table releases, not anecdotal claims, and highlight the Genuine Skilled-Occupation test introduced under Ministerial Direction 111.