Migration Program Planning Levels 2026–27: What Applicants Need to Know

The migration program planning levels set the number of permanent visas Australia expects to grant across skilled, family and special eligibility categories each financial year. For 2026–27, the total permanent Migration Program remains at 185,000 places, with the Skill stream continuing to receive the largest share of places. The Department of Home Affairs page on Permanent Migration Program planning levels was last updated on 15 May 2026. (Immigration and citizenship Website)

This guide explains what the 2026–27 planning levels mean for skilled workers, international graduates, employer-sponsored applicants, state nomination candidates and family visa applicants. The article uses the planning-level comparison data supplied in the brief, including 2024–25, 2025–26 and 2026–27 allocations.(Immigration and citizenship Website)

Information may change based on Australian immigration policy updates. Applicants should always check the latest Department of Home Affairs information or speak with a registered migration professional before making visa decisions.

What Are Australia’s 2026–27 Migration Program Planning Levels?

Australia’s 2026–27 permanent Migration Program is planned at 185,000 places. The Skill stream is allocated 132,240 places, the Family stream is allocated 52,460 places, and Special Eligibility remains at 300 places. The largest increases are in employer-sponsored, skilled independent and state or territory nominated pathways.

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Key Takeaways

• The total permanent Migration Program remains steady at 185,000 places.
• Employer-Sponsored places increase significantly from 44,000 to 58,040.
• Skilled Independent places rise from 16,900 to 21,090.
• State/Territory Nominated places rise from 33,000 to 35,500.
• Regional places reduce sharply from 33,000 to 14,110.
• Partner and Child categories remain demand driven, with indicative planning levels only.
• Applicants should prepare early, improve points, gather documents and monitor state nomination updates.

What Are Migration Program Planning Levels?

Migration program planning levels are the Australian Government’s annual allocation of permanent visa places across skilled, family and special eligibility streams. They help guide visa processing priorities, workforce planning, family reunion outcomes and long-term population strategy.

In simple terms, planning levels show how many permanent visas the Government expects to grant in each category during a financial year. They do not guarantee an invitation, nomination or visa grant for any individual applicant.

For applicants, the planning levels are useful because they show where policy emphasis is shifting. A higher allocation may suggest more opportunity in that pathway, while a reduced allocation may indicate greater competition or fewer invitations.

Migration Program Planning Levels Australia: 2024–25, 2025–26 and 2026–27

The total Migration Program remains at 185,000 places across all three financial years. However, the internal distribution changes in 2026–27, especially within skilled migration

Skilled Migration Program

The Skilled Migration Program is the largest part of Australia’s permanent Migration Program. In 2026–27, it has 132,240 places, showing continued focus on skilled workers, employer demand, state labour shortages and long-term economic contribution.

The skilled program includes pathways such as:

• Skilled Independent visa, commonly linked to subclass 189
• Skilled Nominated visa, commonly linked to subclass 190
• Skilled Work Regional visa, commonly linked to subclass 491
• Employer Nomination Scheme, commonly linked to subclass 186
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa, commonly linked to subclass 494
• National Innovation visa and legacy talent-related categories

‍What this means for skilled applicants

The overall skilled allocation remains stable, but the distribution has shifted. Employer-sponsored and state nomination categories appear stronger in 2026–27, while regional allocations reduce significantly. Applicants should not only focus on points but also on employability, occupation demand, English scores, skills assessment timing and state-specific requirements.

A common scenario is an international graduate in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth who is preparing an Expression of Interest. In 2026–27, that applicant may need to compare subclass 189, subclass 190, subclass 491 and employer-sponsored options instead of relying on one pathway only.

Commonwealth Program

The Commonwealth Program includes national skilled visa categories such as Skilled Independent and Talent and Innovation pathways. In 2026–27, Skilled Independent places increase, while Talent and Innovation places reduce.

Skilled Independent

The Skilled Independent category increases from 16,900 places in 2024–25 and 2025–26 to 21,090 places in 2026–27.

This is important for applicants who do not have employer sponsorship or state nomination. The subclass 189 pathway is often attractive because it is not tied to a specific employer or state. However, competition remains high, especially in popular occupations such as accountants, engineers, ICT professionals, nurses, teachers and health professionals.

Talent and Innovation

The Talent and Innovation category reduces from 5,300 places to 3,500 places in 2026–27. The planning-level note states that this category includes the National Innovation Visa, as well as Global Talent, Distinguished Talent and Business Innovation and Investment visas that are closed to new applications.

This suggests applicants in innovation-focused pathways should check current visa availability carefully. Not every legacy talent or business pathway remains open to new applicants.

Employer Program

The Employer Program has one of the most important changes in the 2026–27 migration program planning levels. Employer-Sponsored places increase from 44,000 to 58,040.

This is the largest increase in the table and may create stronger opportunities for applicants with Australian employers, eligible occupations and genuine sponsored roles.

Why employer-sponsored visas matter

Employer-sponsored migration helps Australian businesses address skills shortages where local labour is not available. It can be relevant for applicants working in sectors such as:

• Health and aged care
• Construction
• Engineering
• Early childhood education
• Information technology
• Trades
• Hospitality and regional services
• Professional services

Relevant visa subclasses may include subclass 186, subclass 482, subclass 494 and, depending on policy settings, other employer-sponsored pathways.

Applicant example

A civil engineer working in regional Queensland or Western Australia may have stronger prospects through employer sponsorship if they have a willing employer, suitable skills assessment, relevant work experience and English results. However, employer sponsorship still requires strict compliance with nomination, salary, occupation and business requirements.

f you have an Australian employer or job offer, consider booking a migration consultation with Knowbal Migration and education to check whether an employer-sponsored PR pathway may be suitable.

State and Territory Program

The State and Territory Program includes Regional and State/Territory Nominated pathways. In 2026–27, State/Territory Nominated places rise to 35,500, while Regional places fall to 14,110.

This is one of the most important trends for applicants preparing an EOI or state nomination application.

State/Territory Nominated Pathways

State/Territory Nominated places increase from 33,000 to 35,500. This may support applicants who meet state-specific needs in places such as New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory.

State nomination often considers:

• Occupation demand
• Residency or study location
• Work experience
• Job offer or current employment
• English language ability
• Points score
• Commitment to the nominating state or territory

Regional Visa Allocations

Regional allocations reduce from 33,000 to 14,110. This is the biggest reduction in the 2026–27 comparison table.

For regional applicants, this does not mean regional pathways are closed. It means applicants may need stronger profiles, earlier preparation and more careful strategy. Regional applicants may need to focus on employment, occupation alignment, state rules and timing.

Applicant example

An international graduate in Adelaide, Hobart or Darwin may still have regional or state nomination options, but a lower regional allocation can increase competition. A strong application may require early skills assessment, improved English results, relevant work experience and accurate state documentation.

Australian Family Program

The Australian Family Program is allocated 52,460 places in 2026–27. It includes Partner, Child, Parent and Other Family visa categories.

The Partner and Child categories are demand driven, with indicative planning levels only. This means processing is influenced by valid demand and eligibility, not only by fixed annual caps.

Partner and Child visas

Partner places increase from 40,500 to 41,500, while Child places increase from 3,000 to 3,500.

Relevant pathways may include:

• Partner visa subclass 820 and 801
• Partner visa subclass 309 and 100
• Prospective Marriage visa subclass 300
• Child visa subclasses, depending on circumstances

Partner visa applicants should focus on strong evidence of a genuine and continuing relationship, shared finances, household arrangements, social recognition and commitment.

Parent and Other Family visas

Parent places reduce from 8,500 to 7,060, and Other Family places reduce from 500 to 400.

Parent visa applicants should be aware that some parent pathways can involve long processing times, balance of family requirements and substantial costs, depending on the visa subclass.

Upcoming Immigration Changes 2026-27: What Could This Mean for Applicants?

The 2026–27 planning levels suggest a more targeted skilled migration environment. The total program remains stable, but the Government appears to be placing more emphasis on employer-sponsored and nationally competitive skilled applicants.

Biggest increases

• Employer-Sponsored visas
• Skilled Independent visas
• State/Territory Nominated pathways

Biggest reduction

• Regional visa allocations

‍Practical meaning

Applicants should avoid assuming that a higher total migration program automatically means easy invitations. The overall number is steady, but category-level changes can affect strategy.

For example:

• Employer-sponsored applicants may have more opportunity if their employer is eligible.
• Skilled Independent applicants may see more places, but high points and occupation demand still matter.
• State nomination applicants should monitor state occupation lists and invitation rounds.
• Regional applicants should prepare early because fewer places may increase competition.
• Family applicants should prepare strong evidence and avoid incomplete applications.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Plan Your EOI or State Nomination Application

Step 1: Identify your best visa pathway

Start by comparing subclass 189, 190, 491, 186, 494 and partner or family pathways if relevant. Do not rely on one option unless it is clearly the strongest pathway.

Step 2: Check your occupation

Your occupation must generally align with an eligible skilled occupation list or employer-sponsored requirement. Common examples include ICT business analyst, software engineer, registered nurse, civil engineer, chef, early childhood teacher and accountant.

Step 3: Complete your skills assessment early

Many skilled visas require a positive skills assessment. Assessment authorities may include Engineers Australia, ACS, VETASSESS, AITSL, ANMAC or Trades Recognition Australia, depending on the occupation.

Step 4: Improve your points score

For points-tested visas, stronger English, skilled work experience, partner points, Australian study, regional study and NAATI credentials may improve competitiveness.

Step 5: Monitor state nomination rules

Each state and territory can apply different requirements. Some prioritise local graduates, offshore applicants, critical sectors, regional employment or occupations in shortage.

Step 6: Prepare decision-ready evidence

A strong application usually requires identity documents, English results, skills assessment, employment evidence, qualifications, payslips, tax documents and relationship evidence if applicable.

Step 7: Get professional guidance before lodging

Incorrect information, weak evidence or wrong visa selection can lead to delays or refusals. Speak with a MARA registered migration agent for personalised advice.

Common Visa Subclasses Mentioned in Migration Planning

Cost Breakdown: What Applicants Should Budget For

The planning levels do not set visa fees, but applicants should budget for the full migration process.

Common cost items include:

• Visa application charges
• Skills assessment fees
• English test fees
• Medical examinations
• Police checks
• Document translation
• Professional migration advice
• State nomination fees, where applicable

Costs vary depending on visa subclass, family members, occupation and application complexity. Always confirm current charges before lodging.