Canberra, 12/05/2026 — Úc.
On May 12, 2026, the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ Permanent Migration Program planning levels page was updated with the allocation for the 2026-2027 financial year. The overall program remains at 185,000 places, but internal allocations have shifted, most notably the Talent and Innovation stream dropping from 4,300 places to 3,500.
Overall Allocation
The total Migration Program for 2026-2027 remains at 185,000 places, unchanged from the previous two financial years. The Skill stream continues to receive the largest share.
Department of Home Affairs notes state that the Talent and Innovation stream includes the National Innovation Visa, along with the Global Talent, Distinguished Talent and Business Innovation and Investment visas, which are already closed to new applications. The reduced allocation partly reflects the specific nature of this visa group.
Long-Term Planning Context
Holding the level at 185,000 for three consecutive financial years (2024-2025, 2025-2026, 2026-2027) reflects the Australian Government’s strategy of stability for the permanent migration program. This is the result of extensive consultation with states and territories.
The four-year plan under the 2023 Migration Strategy remains the main reference framework. Net Overseas Migration is expected to gradually decline across financial years under the Migration Strategy measures.
Practical Implications
The Migration Program allocation is an important indicator of how many permanent visas are expected to be granted in each stream. A higher allocation for a stream usually means more opportunities; a lower allocation can mean greater competition.
However, the allocation does not guarantee the actual number of nominations or visas granted to individuals. Interested applicants should check the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ official planning levels page and the requirements of each stream when preparing an application.
References
This article is compiled from government sources. Immigration regulations and figures may change over time; you should check current information on the official website before making a decision.
