The 2026–27 permanent Migration Program will be set at 185,000 places, with an approximate 70:30 split between Skilled and Family visas.
The government will prioritise applications from migrants already in Australia, allocating 129,590 places to onshore applicants. A further 55,110 places will be available for offshore applicants, with priority given to high-skilled migrants who can help improve productivity and meet Australia’s long-term labour market needs.
This structure reflects the government’s aim to support skilled workers already contributing to the economy, while still allowing Australia to attract talent from overseas. Overall, compared with 2024 and 2025, the allocated numbers have not changed.
Skilled Migration Program: 132,240 Places
The Skilled Migration Program will make up the largest share of the 2026–27 Migration Program, with 132,240 places, or around 71% of the total program.
This stream is designed to strengthen Australia’s economy by attracting workers with skills, qualifications, and experience needed in key sectors. Skilled migration is especially important for industries facing labour shortages, including:
- Healthcare
- Information and communications technology
- Engineering
- Science
- Construction
- Education
The government says skilled migration also plays an important role in supporting growth and development in regional Australia.
Skilled Independent Visa Places Increased
The Skilled Independent category will increase from 16,900 places in 2025–26 to 21,090 places in 2026–27.
This increase recognises the strong employment outcomes and positive economic contribution of highly skilled independent migrants. The Skilled Independent visa remains an important pathway for applicants who have the qualifications and experience Australia needs, without requiring employer or state nomination.
Employer-Sponsored Visas See Major Increase
One of the biggest changes in the 2026–27 program is the rise in the Employer-Sponsored category.
Employer-sponsored places will increase from 44,000 in 2025–26 to 58,040 in 2026–27. This change is intended to support temporary migrants who are already filling skills gaps in the Australian labour market and provide them with a clearer pathway to permanent residency.
This is especially important for businesses that rely on skilled workers in shortage occupations.
Talent and Innovation Places Reduced
The Talent and Innovation category will decrease from 5,300 places to 3,500 places.
This category includes the National Innovation Visa, along with legacy Global Talent, Distinguished Talent, and Business Innovation & Investment visas that are closed to new applications.
The reduction reflects the government’s intention to focus this stream on applicants with internationally recognised records of exceptional achievement.
State and Territory Nominated Visas
State and territory-nominated visas allow Australian jurisdictions to respond to their own economic and labour market needs. For 2026–27, the State/Territory Nominated category will increase from 33,000 places to 35,500 places.
However, the Regional category will decrease significantly, from 33,000 places to 14,110 places. This means there will be a shift away from the Skilled Work Regional provisional visa category, while still maintaining pathways through state and territory nomination programs and other regional migration arrangements.
Australian Family Program: 52,460 Places
The Australian Family Program will receive 52,460 places, representing about 28% of the total Migration Program. Family migration allows Australian citizens and permanent residents to reunite with close family members and supports social cohesion.
The Family Program is mainly made up of Partner visas, but it also includes Child, Parent, and Other Family visa categories.
Partner and Child Visa Places Increased
The Partner visa category will increase from 40,500 places to 41,500 places. Child visa places will also rise from 3,000 to 3,500.
The government has highlighted the importance of family reunion, especially the reunification of children with Australian parents or family sponsors. Partner and Child visas are demand-driven, meaning the planning levels are mainly used for resource and processing purposes.
Parent and Other Family Visa Places Reduced
While Partner and Child places are increasing, there will be small reductions in other family categories.
Parent visa places will decrease from 8,500 to 7,060, while Other Family visas will fall from 500 to 400. These adjustments allow the government to prioritise immediate family reunion through Partner and Child visas.
Special Eligibility: 300 Places
The Special Eligibility stream will remain unchanged at 300 places. This category covers people in special circumstances, including former permanent residents returning to Australia after spending time overseas.
Focus on Onshore Migrants
A major policy direction in the 2026–27 Migration Program is the focus on migrants already living in Australia.
The government will allocate 129,590 places to onshore applicants. This is designed to help temporary migrants already working, studying, and contributing to Australian communities transition to permanent residency more efficiently.
The government also argues that this onshore focus helps reduce the impact of permanent migration on Net Overseas Migration, because many successful applicants are already in the country.
Migration Program and Net Overseas Migration
The Migration Program is only one part of Australia’s overall migration picture. Net Overseas Migration includes temporary migrants such as international students, working holiday makers, New Zealand citizens, humanitarian migrants, and Australian citizens moving in or out of the country.
The government says NOM has fallen by more than 40% from its 2023 peak, and that permanent migration has not been the main driver of NOM in recent years.
Because many permanent visas are granted to people already in Australia, the 2026–27 program is designed to provide stability while limiting additional pressure from new offshore arrivals.
2026–27 Migration Program Planning Levels
| Visa Category | 2026–27 Planning Level |
| Skilled Independent | 21,090 |
| Talent and Innovation | 3,500 |
| Employer-Sponsored | 58,040 |
| Regional | 14,110 |
| State/Territory Nominated | 35,500 |
| Total Skilled Program | 132,240 |
| Partner | 41,500 |
| Child | 3,500 |
| Parent | 7,060 |
| Other Family | 400 |
| Total Family Program | 52,460 |
| Special Eligibility | 300 |
| Total Migration Program | 185,000 |
Conclusion
Australia’s 2026–27 permanent Migration Program keeps the total planning level steady at 185,000 places, but the internal structure shows clear priorities.
The government is placing stronger emphasis on skilled migration, employer-sponsored pathways, and onshore applicants who are already contributing to Australia’s economy. At the same time, the Family Program continues to support partner and child reunion, while some parent and other family categories have been slightly reduced.
Overall, the 2026–27 Migration Program aims to balance economic growth, skills shortages, family reunion, and population management. For skilled workers already in Australia, the program may create stronger opportunities to move from temporary status to permanent residency.