Permanent migration places unchanged at 185,000 for 2025-26

It is almost 3 months into the new program year for migration, and many, if not all, States and Territories have yet to begin accepting applications to nominate skilled migrants for either a subclass 190 - Skilled - Nominated visa or a subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa.

The reported blame was placed on the Federal Government, which delayed confirming this year’s permanent numbers after the last federal Budget confirmed a four-year planning period.

On 2 September 2025, the government announced that the number of places for 2025-26 would remain the same as 2024-25 at 185,000. The breakdown of this was not disclosed.

The Department of Home Affairs has finally published details of the 2025-26 planning levels, and they are in effect the same as last year.

The only cosmetic difference is that the closed Global Talent and Distinguished Talent visas are combined with the allocation for the subclass 858 - National Innovation visa, as there are likely still legacy applications to be processed.

The numbers were also confirmed by an announcement from the Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs today, and after a meeting with relevant State and Territory Ministers.

Discussion also took place on other aspects of skilled migration, including regional migration and Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs), which have been an important tool for local businesses filling critical skill shortages in regional areas that would not meet the standard business sponsor requirements for subclass 482 - Skills in Demand visas and subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visas.

The Federal Government has also recognised the importance of reducing visa processing times, especially for skilled migration, which has gradually increased in general.