Australia Maintains Permanent Migration Program at 185,000 for 2025–26

The Australian Government has confirmed that the Permanent Migration Program will remain at 185,000 places for the 2025–26 financial year—unchanged from the 2024–25 allocation.

🔍 What’s Staying the Same?

The program will continue with the same structure and priorities as the current year:

• Skill Stream – 70% (approx. 129,500 places): Focused on bringing skilled migrants to support Australia’s workforce and economic needs.

• Family Stream – 30% (approx. 55,500 places): Designed to reunite families, primarily through partner and parent visas.

This approach reinforces the government’s continued commitment to targeted skilled migration, while also supporting family reunification goals.

🤝 Backed by State and Territory Consultations

The decision comes after extensive consultations with states and territories. The message from across the country was clear: maintain current migration levels and focus on skills. These consultations highlighted the importance of stability in the program to support long-term planning for housing, infrastructure, and workforce development.

🛂 Visa Processing Continues Smoothly

According to Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke MP, the Department of Home Affairs has already been operating at this level, so there will be no disruption to visa processing or program delivery.