Australia’s 2026–27 Permanent Migration Program: Key Visa Allocation Changes

According to the latest data released by the Australian Department of Home Affairs, the total planning level for Australia’s 2026–27 Permanent Migration Program remains at 185,000 places, the same as in the 2024–25 and 2025–26 financial years.

The allocation is as follows:

Skilled Migration Program: 132,240 places

Family Migration Program: 52,460 places

Special Eligibility: 300 places

Although the overall planning level remains unchanged, there have been notable adjustments within individual visa categories. In particular, the allocations for Employer-Sponsored visas, Skilled Independent visas, and State/Territory Nominated visas have increased, while the allocations for Regional visas and Talent and Innovation visas have decreased.

Skilled Migration Program: slight overall increase, with major internal adjustments

The total allocation for the Skilled Migration Program in 2026–27 has changed only slightly, but the changes within individual categories are significant.

1. Significant increase in Employer-Sponsored places

The Employer-Sponsored category is the most notable growth area in this year’s allocation.

2024–25: 44,000

2025–26: 44,000

2026–27: 58,040

This represents an increase of 14,040 places.

This change sends a clear policy signal: the Australian Government is placing greater emphasis on helping applicants who are already working in Australia, meeting genuine labour market needs, and supported by an employer, to transition to permanent residency.

For temporary visa holders who are already employed in Australia and have an employer willing to sponsor them, the Employer-Sponsored pathway is likely to become even more important.

Industries with ongoing labour shortages, such as healthcare, nursing, education, construction, engineering, IT, and trades, may continue to be key areas for employer-sponsored migration planning.

2. Increase in Skilled Independent places

The Skilled Independent category has also increased.

2024–25: 16,900

2025–26: 16,900

2026–27: 21,090

The increase in Skilled Independent places indicates that the government is still reserving space for high-scoring, highly skilled applicants who meet Australia’s long-term economic needs.

However, Skilled Independent visas are generally highly competitive. Applicants are usually assessed against factors such as occupation, age, English ability, qualifications, skilled work experience, and EOI points. For applicants with competitive points, this category remains worth monitoring closely.

3. Moderate increase in State/Territory Nominated places

The State/Territory Nominated category has also increased.

2024–25: 33,000

2025–26: 33,000

2026–27: 35,500

This increase means that states and territories will continue to use pathways such as the subclass 190 visa to nominate applicants who meet local labour market needs.

However, state nomination is not based on points alone. Different states and territories may apply different requirements, including occupation lists, residency, local work experience, place of study, salary level, industry demand, and other factors.

Applicants should therefore develop a state nomination strategy based on their location, occupation, and individual background.

Regional visa allocation significantly reduced

The Regional category has seen the most significant reduction.

2024–25: 33,000

2025–26: 33,000

2026–27: 14,110

This represents a decrease of 18,890 places, which is a substantial change.

This does not necessarily mean that Australia is no longer prioritising regional development. Rather, it may indicate that the way regional areas attract skilled migrants is changing. In future, regional employers may continue to use Employer-Sponsored visas, Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA), state nomination, and other pathways to attract workers.

For applicants planning to apply through the subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional visa pathway, competition may become more intense. It will be increasingly important to assess occupation suitability, points, state nomination requirements, and regional employment opportunities early.

Talent and Innovation allocation reduced

The Talent and Innovation category has also been reduced.

2024–25: 5,300

2025–26: 5,300

2026–27: 3,500

This category includes the National Innovation Visa, as well as the Global Talent, Distinguished Talent, and Business Innovation & Investment visa categories, which are now closed to new applications.

The reduction suggests that Australia may be placing greater emphasis on quality and selectivity in high-level talent, innovation, and investment migration, rather than simply increasing the number of places.

Applicants with strong backgrounds in advanced research, entrepreneurship, investment, international achievements, or industry leadership may still have opportunities under this category, but the eligibility threshold and documentation requirements are expected to remain high.

Family Migration Program remains largely stable

The Family Migration Program remains broadly stable.

Partner: 41,500

Child: 3,500

Parent: 7,060

Other Family: 400

The Partner and Child visa categories are demand-driven, and the planning levels shown for these categories are indicative only.

The key purpose of the Family Migration Program is to support the reunion of Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens with their family members.

Although family migration does not directly address labour market needs in the same way as skilled migration, it plays an important role in family stability, community integration, and long-term settlement.

What do these changes mean for future applicants?

Based on the 2026–27 planning levels, several clear trends can be observed.

First, Employer-Sponsored opportunities have increased significantly. Applicants who are already working in Australia and have employer support should consider assessing their eligibility for employer-sponsored pathways as early as possible.

Second, Skilled Independent and State/Territory Nominated pathways still have room for applicants. High-scoring applicants and those who meet state or territory requirements may continue to focus on subclass 189 and subclass 190 pathways.

Third, competition for regional visas may become stronger. With the 491 regional allocation significantly reduced, applicants should pay closer attention to occupation matching, state nomination policies, and local employment opportunities.

Fourth, family reunion pathways remain stable overall. Partner, Child, and Parent visa categories continue to be important components of Australia’s Permanent Migration Program.

If you are planning for Australian permanent residency, whether through skilled migration, employer sponsorship, state nomination, regional pathways, or family migration, it is important to assess your eligibility and options early.

Migration planning levels are only the starting point. In practice, the outcome of an application often depends on factors such as occupation selection, state nomination requirements, employer eligibility, document preparation, and timing.

Contact AMS Australia Migration Services for a one-on-one migration pathway assessment. Our team can help you review your background, current visa status, occupation pathway, and long-term goals to develop a clearer and more practical plan for Australian permanent residency.