The Australian Government has announced the Migration Program Planning Levels for 2022-2023. A total of 160,000 immigration quotas have been announced. Unlike last year’s plan, more emphasis has been given to the skilled immigration stream. Last year, the government reserved more places such as 77,300 which have been reduced to 50,000 this year. On the other hand, for the skilled immigration stream, the total quota was 79,600 last year whereas this new quota allows 109,900 candidates.
Highlights of the 2022-2023 immigration program
1- Skilled Immigration Quota
This is designed to improve the productive capacity of the economy and fill skill shortages in the labor market, including those in regional Australia. The majority of the places in the program are in the Skill stream of 109,900.
Compared with last year, the 8,000 quotas have been increased for the employer-sponsored stream. An increase of almost 10,000 seats can also be seen for the skilled independent stream. The same trend is true for the regional stream (an increase of 3,800). The quota for State/Territory Nominated has also been increased to 20,000.
Unlike all the above-mentioned streams, the streams of Business Innovation & Investment, Global Talent (Independent), and Distinguished Talent have seen an immense decline in quota.
2- Family Immigration Stream
This stream is predominately made up of Partner visas, enabling Australians to reunite with family members from overseas and provide them with pathways to citizenship. For 2022 and 2023 there have been set aside 50,000 places. Last year’s quota for this category was 77,300. An immense decrease has been announced for the partner stream which was 72,300 and now 40,500. The quota for the parent stream is increased from 4,500 to 6,000. No change in quota has been announced for children and other family category.
3- Special Eligibility Stream
This covers visas for those in special circumstances. This can include permanent residents returning to Australia after a period away and is the smallest stream. Whereas at least 3,000 Child places will be available in 2022-2023.
Australia’s Immigration Quota Distribution 2022-2023
| Stream and Category | Places in 2022-23 |
| Skill stream | |
| Employer-Sponsored | 30,000 |
| Skilled Independent | 16,652 |
| Regional | 25,000 |
| State/Territory Nominated | 20,000 |
| Business Innovation & Investment Program | 9,500 |
| Global Talent | 8,448 |
| Distinguished Talent | 300 |
| Skill Total | 109,900 |
| Family Stream | |
| Partner | 40,500 |
| Parent | 6,000 |
| Other Family | 500 |
| Family Total | 50,000 |
| Special Eligibility | 100 |
| Child (estimate; not subject to a ceiling) | 3,000 |
| Total | 160,000 |
State and Territory nominated visa allocations
According to 2021-2022, the Migration allocation quota for States and Territories for the categories Skilled – Nominated (subclass 190), Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491), Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) has been set aside. This will be as follows:
| State | Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) Visa | Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa | Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) |
| ACT | 600 | 1,400 | 30 |
| NSW | 4,000 | 3,640 | 2,200 |
| VIC | 3,500 | 750 | 1,750 |
| QLD | 1,180 | 950 | 1,400 |
| NT | 500 | 700 | 75 |
| WA | 2,100 | 1,090 | 360 |
| SA | 2,600 | 3,330 | 1,000 |
| TAS | 1,100 | 2,200 | 45 |
| Total | 15,580 | 14,060 | 6,860 |