At a glance
58,040
4 facts · 12 August 2026
Total places
185,000, unchanged for a third year
Employer Sponsored
58,040, up from 44,000
Skilled Independent
21,090, up from 16,900
Regional
14,110, down from 33,000
On 12 May 2026 the Australian Government set the 2026-27 Permanent Migration Program at 185,000 places, the same total as 2024-25 and 2025-26, with the approximate 70:30 split between the Skilled and Family programs also unchanged. The Department published the category-level table on 12 August 2026.
Within the Skilled program the mix has shifted substantially. Employer Sponsored rises from 44,000 to 58,040. Skilled Independent rises from 16,900 to 21,090. State and Territory Nominated rises from 33,000 to 35,500. Regional falls from 33,000 to 14,110, and Talent and Innovation falls from 5,300 to 3,500.
In the Family program, Partner rises from 40,500 to 41,500 and Child from 3,000 to 3,500, with Parent falling to 7,060 and Other Family to 400. Partner and Child remain demand driven, so their planning levels are indicative.
The Government has also stated that 129,590 places across both programs will be allocated to people already living in Australia. Planning levels are program settings. They describe how many places the Department plans to deliver in a category, not the prospects of any individual application.
What it means
- The total has not moved; the mix has. Employer-sponsored pathways carry a larger share of the Skilled program than in any recent year.
- Regional places fall sharply, which changes the arithmetic for subclass 491 and 494 planning.
- Planning levels are program settings. They describe how many places the Department plans to deliver, not the prospects of any individual application.
General information only, current at 12 August 2026. Not immigration assistance. Source: Home Affairs. Eligibility depends on your circumstances and on the law as it stands on the day you apply.
Shoreline Migration · Registered Migration Agent · MARN 2619597
