Australia's 2025–26 Migration Program: 185,000 Places Confirmed

Understanding Australia’s Migration Program for 2025-26

If you’re considering moving to Australia, here’s some helpful news. The Albanese Government has set the Permanent Migration Program for the 2025-26 year at 185,000 places. This number stays the same as the previous year and continues to emphasise the importance of skilled migration.

This approach focuses on attracting skilled workers to meet Australia’s workforce needs, especially in essential sectors. While there may not be any huge changes at first glance, this steady cap impacts employers, families, and international job seekers like you.

What’s Not Changing?

Cap and Composition: The programme will maintain its 185,000 places, with about 70% directed towards skilled migrants and the remaining towards family reunification. This means around 132,200 skilled places and 52,500 family places.
Program Purpose: Its aim is the same as before: to address skill shortages, boost productivity, support regional development, and reunite families.

Key Streams Under This Programme

Here’s how various visa streams are expected to operate:

Employer-sponsored and State/Territory Nominated Visas: These remain the backbone of skilled migration. Processes will continue to prioritise employer-sponsored and regional applications.
Skilled Independent Visas: These might see tighter quotas. The focus remains on those links with jobs and regional needs.
Family Stream Visas: Family visas will continue to depend on demand, particularly for partner visas. Submit complete applications to reduce processing times.

Why Maintain the Current Cap?

Stability for States and Territories: Keeping the cap steady supports states and employers as they face ongoing workforce shortages in sectors like health and engineering.
Balancing Economic Needs: Maintaining the intake helps ensure a long-term labour supply while managing temporary visa pathways to keep net overseas migration in check.

What to Keep an Eye On

As we look forward to 2025-26, there are a few things to watch:

Occupation Lists: Expect adjustments based on updated labour market information, regional needs, and large projects.
Processing Priorities: Current prioritisation keeps employer-sponsored and regional applications at the forefront unless a new direction emerges.
Mid-Year Adjustments: The government might revisit the balance between various visa streams, so staying informed is essential.

Practical Tips for Job Seekers and Employers

For those looking to migrate, here are a few handy pointers:

Employers: Try to align job candidates with employer-sponsored or regional pathways. These options tend to be prioritised and offer more predictability.
Skilled Migrants: Make sure you have genuine job offers or regional nominations. Independent routes will remain competitive, so showcasing your employability in industries facing shortages is key.
Families: For partner visas, ensure your submission is thorough and decision-ready. This will help avoid unnecessary delays in processing.

Final Thoughts

For the 2025-26 year, Australia’s migration program is about stability. With the consistent cap of 185,000 places and a focus on skilled migration, this provides a clearer pathway for applicants, employers, and families alike. If you align your applications with priority streams and submit ready-to-decide files, then you’ll be in a good position to benefit from the current system.