FY2026-27 Migration Planning Level Announcement
On 12 May 2026, the Australian Government announced that the 2026–27 permanent Migration Program (Migration Program) will be set at 185,000 places, with an approximate 70:30 split between the Skilled and Family Programs. The overall planning level and the Skill and Family split of the program are unchanged from 2025-26.
Across both the Skill and Family streams of the permanent Migration Program, the government will prioritise applications from onshore migrants, allocating 129,590 places to migrants already living in Australia, with an additional 300 places allocated to Special Eligibility. The remaining 55,110 offshore places will prioritise high‑skilled migrants that help boost productivity and address Australia’s long‑term skill needs, complementing Australia’s working-age population.
An onshore-focused program will support timely transitions to permanent residency for migrants already living, working and contributing to Australia, and further reduces the program’s impact on Net Overseas Migration (NOM).
Read more on planning level here.
The 2026–27 Migration Program is comprised of:
- Skilled Migration Program (132,240 places, approximately 71 per cent of the program) – this program is designed to improve the productive capacity of the economy and fill skill shortages in the labour market.
- Australian Family Program (52,460 places, approximately 28 per cent of the program) – this program is predominantly made up of Partner visas. It enables Australians to reunite with family members from overseas and provide them with pathways to citizenship.
- Special Eligibility (300 places) – this stream covers visas for those in special circumstances. It includes permanent residents returning to Australia after a period overseas.
Migration Program planning levels by financial year
| Visa Category | FY2024–25 | FY2025–26 | FY2026–27 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Migration Program | ||||
| Commonwealth Program | Skilled Independent | 16,900 | 16,900 | 21,090 |
| Talent and Innovation¹ | 5,300 | 5,300 | 3,500 | |
| Employer Program | Employer-Sponsored | 44,000 | 44,000 | 58,040 |
| State and Territory Program | Regional | 33,000 | 33,000 | 14,110 |
| State/Territory Nominated | 33,000 | 33,000 | 35,500 | |
| Total Skilled Program | 132,200 | 132,200 | 132,240 | |
| Australian Family Program | ||||
| Partner & Child² | Partner | 40,500 | 40,500 | 41,500 |
| Child | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3,500 | |
| Parent & Other Family | Parent | 8,500 | 8,500 | 7,060 |
| Other Family | 500 | 500 | 400 | |
| Total Family Program | 52,500 | 52,500 | 52,460 | |
| Special Eligibility | 300 | 300 | 300 | |
| Total Migration Program | 185,000 | 185,000 | 185,000 |
@gregormendel · 5mo ago
Its a filler word, a thing government says, there is no exact definition.