Australia has announced its migration program for the 2026-27 period, maintaining a total of 185,000 permanent migration places. The government’s strategy emphasizes supporting migrants already residing within the country, allocating 129,590 spots to onshore applicants while reserving 55,110 for offshore candidates.
Focus on Skilled Migration
The Skilled Migration stream dominates the program with 132,240 places, accounting for approximately 71% of the total. Notably, employer-sponsored visas have surged from 44,000 to 58,040, reflecting efforts to retain temporary migrants filling critical labour shortages across sectors such as health, ICT, engineering, science, construction, and education.
The Skilled Independent category has also expanded, increasing from 16,900 to 21,090 places due to its positive employment outcomes. Conversely, the Talent and Innovation stream has been reduced to 3,500 places, focusing on applicants with internationally recognised exceptional achievements. Regional visas were cut significantly, while State and Territory Nominated visas saw a slight rise.
Stable Family Migration Program
The Family Migration stream holds steady with 52,460 places. Partner visas have increased marginally, as have child visas, while parent visas experienced a slight reduction. This program continues to facilitate family reunification for Australian citizens and permanent residents.
Additional Changes
Alongside the migration plan, visa application fees have been revised, with increases ranging from 25% to 200% depending on the visa category. These changes took effect from July 1, 2026.
