185,000 Permanent Places Confirmed for 2026–27

Australia’s permanent Migration Program will remain at 185,000 places for 2026–27, matching the previous year’s overall allocation.

While the total number has stayed the same, the distribution across visa categories has changed significantly.

For temporary visa holders already in Australia, as well as offshore applicants planning their migration pathway, these changes provide important insights into where future opportunities may be concentrated.

More Places Focused on Applicants Already in Australia

Around 129,590 places have been allocated to applicants already in Australia, representing approximately 70% of the total Migration Program.

A further 55,110 places are available for offshore applicants.

This reflects the government’s continued focus on migrants who are already contributing to Australia through employment, skills, and community participation.

For offshore applicants, competition may remain stronger, particularly for independent skilled and regional pathways where demand continues to be high.

Skilled Migration Remains the Main Focus

The Skilled Stream continues to receive the largest share of the program, with 132,240 places allocated for 2026–27.

The biggest changes are seen across employer-sponsored and skilled migration pathways.

Employer Sponsored Places Increase Significantly

The Employer Sponsored category has increased from 44,000 places in 2025–26 to 58,040 places in 2026–27.

This is the largest increase across the Migration Program.

The change reflects Australia’s ongoing focus on addressing workforce shortages through skilled workers who can support key industries.

Priority areas include:

• Health
• Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
• Engineering
• Science
• Construction
• Education

For temporary visa holders currently working in Australia, employer-sponsored pathways remain an important option to consider as part of a long-term migration strategy.

Skilled Independent Places Also Increase

The Skilled Independent category, including the Subclass 189 visa, has increased from 16,900 places to 21,090 places.

However, a higher allocation does not automatically mean every eligible applicant will receive an invitation.

Invitation outcomes will continue to depend on factors including:

• Occupation demand
• Points score
• Applicant competitiveness
• Government priorities
• Labour market needs

Applicants should continue to assess their individual circumstances rather than relying only on overall program numbers.

Regional Migration Allocations Adjusted

Regional migration allocations have changed significantly, decreasing from 33,000 places to 14,110 places.

Applicants considering regional pathways, including options connected with Subclass 491 and Subclass 494, should carefully review their strategy and understand how changing allocations may affect future competition.

Regional migration remains an important part of Australia’s workforce planning, but applicants should not rely solely on previous invitation trends when making decisions.

Family Migration Remains Stable

The Family Program remains at 52,460 places for 2026–27.

Partner visa places have increased slightly from 40,500 to 41,500, while Parent visa places have reduced from 8,500 to 7,060.

For applicants considering family migration, planning ahead remains essential, particularly for categories with historically longer processing times.

What Does This Mean for Visa Applicants?

The 2026–27 Migration Program highlights several key trends:

For people already in Australia:
Employer-sponsored pathways have received the strongest growth, reinforcing the importance of skilled employment and employer support.

For offshore skilled applicants:
Independent skilled migration remains available, but competition will continue to depend on occupation demand, points scores, and government priorities.

For family applicants:
Changes are relatively limited, but longer-term planning remains important.

Migration Places Are Not Invitation Numbers

It is important to understand that Migration Program allocations do not represent guaranteed visa invitations or approvals.

Actual outcomes depend on:

• Meeting visa requirements
• Applicant competitiveness
• Occupation demand
• State nomination availability
• Employer sponsorship opportunities
• Processing priorities

The annual Migration Program provides a broad policy direction, but each applicant’s pathway will depend on their personal circumstances.

Key Takeaways

• Australia’s 2026–27 Migration Program remains at 185,000 places.
• Around 70% of places are allocated to applicants already in Australia.
• Employer Sponsored migration has increased significantly to 58,040 places.
• Skilled Independent places have increased to 21,090 places.
• Regional migration allocations have been adjusted to 14,110 places.
• The Family Program remains stable at 52,460 places.
• Health, ICT, engineering, science, construction and education remain key focus areas.

The content of this article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex and subject to change. The information provided may not reflect the most current legal developments. For advice specific to your circumstances, please consult a registered Australian migration lawyer. For full terms governing use of this website and its content, please refer to our Website Terms and Conditions.

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