Australia Announces 185,000 Permanent Migration Places for 2025-26

Australia has announced that 185,000 permanent migration places will be available in the 2025-26 program year, the same number as last year. The aim remains the same: to fill skill shortages in the workforce and to help families reunite. By confirming the numbers early, the government is giving applicants and employers time to plan with more confidence.

How the Places Are Divided

Most of the visas continue to be focused on skilled migration. In 2025-26, the Skill stream has been given 132,200 places, which makes up about 71% of the total. The Family stream has 52,500 places, and another 300 visas are set aside for special cases.

Here’s a closer look at the numbers in the Skill stream:

• Employer-Sponsored visas: 44,000 places
  
• Regional visas: 33,000 places
  
• State or Territory Nominated visas: 33,000 places
  
• Skilled Independent visas: 16,900 places
  
• Business Innovation & Investment visas: 1,000 places
  
• National Innovation visas: 4,300 places
  

The National Innovation Visa is new this year, and it is replacing both the Global Talent and Distinguished Talent visas. It is aimed at individuals who have substantial achievements in research, technology, or other high-demand fields.

The Family stream has also kept the same structure:

• Partner visas: 40,500 places
  
• Parent visas: 8,500 places
  
• Child visas: 3,000 places
  
• Other Family visas: 500 places

This balance between Skill and Family visas shows that the government is continuing its focus on both supporting the economy and keeping families together.

Why the Numbers Stayed the Same

A coordinated migration program cap set at 185,000 places is a clear message of stability from the government. The current figures strike the right balance: sufficient for the economy to meet labour force requirements and population growth without overwhelming demand on services such as housing, health care, and infrastructure.

This means that the key pathways for skilled applicants are available and unaffected – employer sponsorship, state nomination, and independent visas. For families, having certainty around the quotas will help with planning sponsorships and applications, and, ultimately, their travel to Australia.

What Applicants Should Do

If you are considering applying to the 2025-26 program, here are some key steps to follow:

• Check your occupation: Make sure it is on the Skilled Occupation List and matches one of the pathways, such as employer sponsorship, state nomination, or the points-tested independent visa.
  
• Look into the National Innovation Visa: If you have significant achievements in your field, this new visa might be the right fit.
  
• Start preparing early: Gathering documents, English test results, and skills assessments can take time, so it’s best not to leave it until the last minute.

Final Word

By leaving the 185,000 permanent migration places untouched in 2025-26, Australia signifies the importance of skilled workers as well as family reunions. This program provides a clear structure to potential migrants. If you are thinking of applying and want some professional advice, ISA Migrations will walk you through every part of the process. Contact us for updates and tailored assistance.