Migration Program 2026- 2027

On 12 May 2026, the Australian Government announced that the 2026–27 permanent Migration Program will be set at 185,000 places, with an approximate 70:30 split between the Skilled and Family Programs. The overall planning level and the Skill and Family split of the program are unchanged from 2025-26.

Across both the Skill and Family streams of the permanent Migration Program, the government will prioritise applications from onshore migrants, allocating 129,590 places to migrants already living in Australia, with an additional 300 places allocated to Special Eligibility. The remaining 55,110 offshore places will prioritise high‑skilled migrants that help boost productivity and address Australia’s long‑term skill needs, complementing Australia’s working-age population.

An onshore-focused program will support timely transitions to permanent residency for migrants already living, working and contributing to Australia, and further reduces the program’s impact on Net Overseas Migration (NOM).

The 2026–27 Migration Program is comprised of:

• Skilled Migration Program (132,240 places, approximately 71 per cent of the program) – this program is designed to improve the productive capacity of the economy and fill skill shortages in the labour market.

• Australian Family Program (52,460 places, approximately 28 per cent of the program) – this program is predominantly made up of Partner visas. It enables Australians to reunite with family members from overseas and provide them with pathways to citizenship.

• Special Eligibility (300 places) – this stream covers visas for those in special circumstances. It includes permanent residents returning to Australia after a period overseas.

Migration Program planning levels by financial year

Visa Category		2024–25 Planning level	2025–26 Planning level	2026–27 Planning level
Skilled Migration Program
Commonwealth Program	Skilled Independent	16,900	16,900	21,090
	Talent and Innovation1	5,300	5,300	3,500
Employer Program	Employer-Sponsored	44,000	44,000	58,040
State and Territory Program	Regional	33,000	33,000	14,110
	State/Territory Nominated	33,000	33,000	35,500
Total Skilled Program		132,200	132,200	132,240
Australian Family Program
Partner & Child2	Partner	40,500	40,500	41,500
	Child	3,000	3,000	3,500
Parent & Other Family	Parent	8,500	8,500	7,060
	Other Family	500	500	400
Total Family Program		52,500	52,500	52,460
Special Eligibility		300	300	300
Total Migration Program		185,000	185,000	185,000

¹ The Talent and Innovation category includes the National Innovation Visa, as well as the Global Talent, Distinguished Talent and Business Innovation & Investment visas, which are closed to new applications. The 2025-26 planning level has been adjusted to reflect this.

² Delivery of the Partner and Child visa categories are demand driven, with indicative planning levels only.