FY2026-27 Migration Planning Level Announcement On 12 May...
@gregormendel (6H ago| Updated 5H ago)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).
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 |
Showing 4 comments
@gregormendel - I was planning to take NAATI exam for the extra 5 points as I am in the last band for age and lost several points there. I am trying to squueze in as max marks as possible and i have 20marks (superior) for PTE. NAATI being costly, I was trying to check my chances for 234111 with base points 70 and- had been hoping i might have chances under 491 regional stream. Now this reduction in quotas for offshore makes me feel very discouraged. Could you pls suggest , if me taking NAATI and adding 5 more points to make it to 90 points under 490 could really help me for 2025-26 or 27. I read on the NAATI website that it takes atleast 1/2 months for them to give away the result too. I f i take up exam next week, i might be able to add it in EoI only in July 2026. Till which period is 2025-26 FY considered in Australia and from which month 2026-27 plan get implemented. Pls clarify.
@gregormendel @biotechy as an offshore 491 applicant who lodged a non priority occupation visa in July 2025, what this means for us? Can expect grant after June 30 or this will further slow the process?
@gregormendel, Why are they weeding out the Regional quota? what’s your take on it?
The 2025-26 is considered until June. From July the new financial year begins...
The quota is reduced , but if the candidate is well experienced, has a high score, has great english , has naati, then the probability of being selected increases !!
And finally, also monitor if your occupation gets added to the States priority list, since the list keeps changing each year...