2026–27 Australia Migration Program Planning Levels Explained
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Last updated: 18 May 2026
Australia has officially announced its 2026–27 Migration Program planning levels, keeping the permanent migration intake at 185,000 places while reshaping allocations across key skilled visa categories.
The biggest changes include:
a major increase in employer-sponsored visas
higher allocations for Skilled Independent visas
increased subclass 190 nomination places
a significant reduction in subclass 491 regional allocations
stronger prioritisation for onshore applicants already living and working in Australia
For skilled migrants, international graduates, temporary visa holders, and employer-sponsored workers, these changes could influence which PR pathways become more competitive in 2026–27.
This guide explains what changed, which visa categories increased or decreased, and what the latest Migration Program means for skilled migration pathways in Australia.
What Is Australia’s Migration Program?
Australia’s permanent Migration Program is the annual planning framework used by the Australian Government to determine how many permanent residency (PR) visas can be granted each financial year.
The program is divided into:
the Skilled Migration Program
the Family Program
Special Eligibility visas
For 2026–27, the total permanent Migration Program remains at 185,000 places. According to the Department of Home Affairs, approximately 71% of the program is allocated to skilled migration, while around 28% is allocated to family visas.
The Migration Program is separate from temporary migration. Temporary visa holders such as students, working holiday makers, and temporary skilled workers are not part of the permanent intake figures.
It is also important to understand that planning levels are not guaranteed invitation numbers. A higher allocation may improve opportunities in some pathways, but applicants must still meet visa eligibility requirements, invitation criteria, nomination requirements, and occupation demand.
Australia Migration Program Planning Levels 2026–27 Overview
The Australian Government maintained the total migration intake at 185,000 places, but several skilled visa categories experienced significant changes.
Visa Category | 2025–26 | 2026–27 | Change |
Skilled Independent (189) | 16,900 | 21,090 | Increased |
Employer Sponsored | 44,000 | 58,040 | Major increase |
State/Territory Nominated (190) | 33,000 | 35,500 | Increased |
Regional (491) | 33,000 | 14,110 | Significant decrease |
Partner Visa | 40,500 | 41,500 | Increased |
Source: Department of Home Affairs.
The strongest growth occurred in the Employer Sponsored category, increasing from 44,000 to 58,040 places.
Meanwhile, regional allocations under the subclass 491 pathway dropped substantially from 33,000 to 14,110 places.
The government also confirmed a strong focus on migrants already living in Australia, allocating 129,590 places to onshore applicants.
Biggest Winners in the 2026–27 Migration Program
Employer-sponsored migration is clearly one of the strongest PR pathways in the 2026–27 program.
The permanent Employer Sponsored category increased to 58,040 places, making it the largest skilled migration category in the program.
This increase signals several important trends:
stronger government support for employer-driven migration
faster transition opportunities for temporary skilled workers
increased focus on applicants already contributing to the Australian labour market
greater emphasis on addressing workforce shortages
This may particularly benefit:
subclass 482 visa holders
Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) applicants
subclass 186 applicants
workers in health, construction, engineering, ICT, and education sectors
The government specifically stated that increases in employer-sponsored places are intended to support temporary migrants already filling skill shortages in Australia.
For many migrants already working in Australia, employer sponsorship may become one of the most practical long-term PR pathways moving forward.
The Skilled Independent visa allocation increased from 16,900 to 21,090 places.
The Department of Home Affairs noted that this increase recognises the visa category’s strong record of highly skilled employment and positive fiscal outcomes.
For skilled migrants, this is an important signal.
The federal government continues to prioritise highly skilled applicants who can contribute directly to Australia’s economy.
However, applicants should not assume invitations will automatically become easier.
Competition remains strong, especially for:
high-demand occupations
offshore applicants
lower points scores
occupations with limited invitation activity
Applicants with competitive points, strong English results, skilled employment, and occupations aligned with workforce demand may still have better opportunities under subclass 189 compared to previous years.
Subclass 190 allocations increased from 33,000 to 35,500 places.
This confirms that state and territory nomination remains an important part of Australia’s skilled migration system.
Each Australian state and territory continues to manage its own nomination requirements and occupation priorities.
States may prioritise applicants based on:
occupation demand
work experience
local employment
study location
regional commitment
salary level
industry shortages
Although the allocation increased, nomination competition is still expected to remain high in many states.
Applicants should continue monitoring state-specific criteria rather than relying only on federal planning numbers.
Why Was the Subclass 491 Allocation Reduced?
One of the biggest talking points in the 2026–27 Migration Program is the significant reduction in subclass 491 regional allocations.
Regional allocations dropped from 33,000 to 14,110 places.
This does not mean regional migration is disappearing.
The government confirmed that migration remains important for regional communities and that designated regional pathways and agreements still exist.
However, the latest program suggests the government is shifting more focus toward:
employer-sponsored pathways
onshore transitions to PR
highly skilled workers already contributing in Australia
For migrants considering subclass 491 pathways, regional migration can still be valuable, especially for applicants who:
struggle with subclass 189 points
need state nomination support
work in regional shortage occupations
have regional employment opportunities
But competition for nomination places may become tighter due to the reduced allocation.
Australia’s Growing Focus on Onshore Applicants
One of the most important developments in the 2026–27 Migration Program is the government’s clear preference for onshore applicants.
According to the Department of Home Affairs, 129,590 places will be allocated to migrants already living in Australia.
The government stated that this approach aims to:
support migrants already contributing to Australia
reduce pressure on Net Overseas Migration (NOM)
improve pathways to permanent residency for temporary visa holders
This is particularly relevant for:
international graduates
subclass 482 visa holders
temporary skilled workers
onshore skilled migrants
employer-sponsored workers
For many applicants already in Australia, the latest planning levels reinforce the importance of building long-term migration strategies while onshore.
What These Changes Mean for Skilled Migrants
The 2026–27 Migration Program creates stronger opportunities in some pathways while increasing competition in others.
Applicants Potentially in a Stronger Position
The latest changes may favour:
employer-sponsored workers
highly skilled professionals
onshore applicants
applicants in priority industries
migrants with Australian work experience
Industries specifically highlighted by the government include:
health
ICT
engineering
construction
education
science
Pathways Likely to Remain Highly Competitive
Competition may remain particularly strong for:
offshore skilled applicants
lower-points subclass 189 applicants
regional nomination applicants
occupations with limited demand
Planning levels alone do not guarantee invitations.
Factors such as occupation ceilings, invitation rounds, state criteria, workforce shortages, and application quality still play major roles.
Will It Become Easier to Get PR in Australia?
Not necessarily easier overall, but some pathways are becoming stronger than others.
The latest Migration Program shows a clear government preference for:
employer-sponsored migration
skilled workers already contributing in Australia
applicants with strong workforce value
highly skilled independent migrants
At the same time, reduced regional allocations may create additional pressure in subclass 491 pathways.
For many migrants, strategic positioning may become more important than simply relying on points.
Factors that may improve competitiveness include:
employer sponsorship
Australian work experience
strong English scores
skills in priority sectors
state nomination alignment
regional employment opportunities
Applicants should avoid assuming that increased allocations automatically mean easier PR outcomes.
Australia’s skilled migration system remains highly competitive.
Best PR Pathways in Australia for 2026–27
Based on the latest Migration Program changes, several pathways appear particularly important for skilled migrants.
1. Employer-Sponsored Pathways
Employer-sponsored migration appears to be one of the strongest long-term PR pathways in 2026–27.
This includes:
subclass 482 to 186 transition pathways
direct entry employer sponsorship
regional employer-sponsored pathways
The major increase in employer-sponsored allocations strongly suggests continued government support for workers already filling labour shortages.
2. Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
Subclass 189 remains attractive for highly competitive applicants with:
strong points scores
skilled employment
high English proficiency
occupations aligned with national demand
The increased allocation may create more opportunities for strong applicants.
3. State Nomination (Subclass 190)
Subclass 190 remains valuable for applicants who:
qualify for state nomination
align with state workforce priorities
have local work or study ties
work in shortage occupations
State criteria continue to vary significantly across Australia.
4. Regional Pathways (Subclass 491)
Although allocations decreased, subclass 491 can still provide strong opportunities for applicants willing to live and work in regional Australia.
Some occupations may continue receiving regional support due to workforce shortages.
5. Partner Visa Pathways
Partner visa planning levels also increased slightly to 41,500 places.
For eligible couples, partner visas remain one of the major pathways to permanent residency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Australia increasing migration in 2026–27?
No. The total permanent Migration Program remains at 185,000 places.
Which visa category increased the most?
Employer-sponsored visas experienced the largest increase, rising to 58,040 places.
Did subclass 491 allocations decrease?
Yes. Regional allocations dropped significantly from 33,000 to 14,110 places.
Is subclass 190 still a good pathway?
Yes. Subclass 190 remains an important skilled migration pathway, particularly for applicants aligned with state nomination priorities.
Are onshore applicants prioritised?
Yes. The government confirmed that most permanent migration places will prioritise migrants already living in Australia.
Does a higher planning level guarantee invitations?
No. Planning levels do not guarantee invitations or approvals. Applicants must still meet eligibility, points, nomination, and occupation requirements.
Final Thoughts
Australia’s 2026–27 Migration Program reinforces several major migration trends:
stronger focus on skilled migration
increased employer-sponsored opportunities
prioritisation of onshore applicants
continued support for highly skilled workers
reduced emphasis on large-scale regional allocations
For many migrants, long-term strategy is becoming increasingly important.
Employer sponsorship, Australian work experience, strong English ability, and alignment with labour market demand may continue playing major roles in successful PR outcomes.
Because migration settings, invitation trends, and state nomination criteria can change regularly, applicants should always review the latest official government updates and seek professional migration advice where appropriate.
Need Help Choosing the Right PR Pathway?
Whether you are considering employer sponsorship, subclass 189, subclass 190, or regional migration pathways, understanding the latest Migration Program changes can help you plan more strategically.
Speak with our migration team to explore which Australian PR pathway may best suit your background, occupation, and long-term goals.
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