The Australian Government has announced that the 2025–26 permanent Migration Program will keep the same total of 185,000 places, continuing the same structure as the 2024–25 program.
The 2025–26 Migration Program is designed to support Australia’s working-age population by increasing labour force participation and addressing skill shortages across the country.
The program is structured as follows:
- Skill stream: 132,200 places (around 71% of the program)
Focused on enhancing economic productivity and filling labour market skill gaps, particularly in regional areas. - Family stream: 52,500 places (around 28% of the program)
Primarily includes Partner visas, allowing Australians to reunite with family members overseas and provide pathways to citizenship. - Special Eligibility stream: 300 places
Covers visas for individuals in special circumstances, including permanent residents returning to Australia after time abroad.
While most visa category allocations remain unchanged from 2024–25, the Global Talent and Distinguished Talent visa categories have now been consolidated into the new National Innovation visa. Existing applicants under these categories will continue to be assessed under the eligibility criteria in place at the time of their original application, ensuring the transition does not negatively affect them.
State and territory nomination allocations for 2025–26 have not yet been released and will be shared once available.
Click here: Migration Program planning levels