The Albanese Government will hold the 2025–26 Permanent Migration Program at 185,000 places, retaining the same headline settings as 2024–25 and keeping the focus on skilled migration after consultations with states and territories.
The decision favours policy continuity while other migration reforms (student visa integrity, work-rights changes and a redesigned skilled visa system) continue to roll out. While the Government has not altered the top-line cap, the under-the-hood settings matter for employers, states and families.
Here’s a concise guide to what’s locked in, what’s likely to continue, and what applicants should do now.
- Planning level: 185,000 permanent places (unchanged from 2024–25). Media and industry briefings indicate the weighting remains strongly skilled-led (~70%) with the rest in the family stream, mirroring 2024–25’s composition (Skilled ~132,200; Family ~52,500).
- Program purpose (unchanged): address critical skills needs, support productivity and regional development, and reunite families.
What this means for key streams (based on 2024–25 settings continuing)
- Employer-sponsored, State/Territory Nominated & Regional visas remain the engine room of the skilled intake. Processing continues to be steered by Direction No. 105 (from late 2023), which prioritises employer-sponsored and regional skilled applications. Expect similar prioritisation in 2025–26 unless a new Direction is issued.
- Skilled Independent places are expected to remain tighter than pre-pandemic peaks as policy favours demand-driven pathways linked to jobs and regions. (See 2024–25 distribution for context.)
- Family stream (notably Partner) stays largely demand-driven with indicative planning numbers each year; partner visas are processed to demand within overall program management.
Why maintain 185,000 now?
- States and territories have argued for stability and a skilled focus to keep filling workforce shortages in health, engineering, tech, construction and regional services. The Government is therefore choosing predictability over large swings while it implements broader migration reforms flagged since late 2023.
- Economic balance: Keeping the permanent intake steady supports long-run labour supply and productivity while the Government tightens temporary inflows (e.g., student-visa integrity measures) to bring net overseas migration down from post-pandemic highs. (Background on program’s role and 2024–25 composition provided above.)
What to watch in 2025–26
- Occupation lists & skills assessments: Expect iterative calibration toward shortages verified by Jobs & Skills data, regional needs and major projects (housing, energy transition, health).
- Processing priorities: Unless a new Ministerial Direction is published, Direction 105’s order (employer-sponsored/regional first) will keep shaping timelines. Applicants should structure strategies accordingly.
- Program calibration mid-year: As in recent cycles, government can rebalance within the cap across Employer Sponsored/State Nominated/Regional/Family to respond to demand and service delivery.
Practical takeaways for applicants & employers
- Employers: Where possible, anchor candidates to Employer Sponsored or Regional pathways—they’re consistently prioritised and more predictable under current directions.
- Skilled migrants: Strengthen links to genuine job offers, regional roles, or state nomination. Independent routes remain competitive; evidence of employability in shortage fields is critical.
- Families: Partner visas remain demand-driven; submit complete, decision-ready files to minimise processing delays.
Bottom line
For 2025–26, Canberra is choosing continuity: the 185,000 cap stays, and the skilled-first bias endures. That steadiness gives employers, states and families a clearer runway while broader migration reforms bed down. If you align to priority pathways (employer-sponsored, regional, state-nominated) and lodge decision-ready applications, the status quo can work in your favour.
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