Australian Permanent Migration program for 2025-2026 offers 185,000 permanent visa places, which is similar to 2024-2025. It allocates 71% (132,200 seats) for skilled migrants, 28% (52,500) for family visas, and 0.2% (300) for special eligibility, with stable and skill-oriented programs ensuring certainty, continuity, and better opportunities for applicants.
Key Features of the Permanent Migration Program 2025- 26
Total Spaces- There are 185,000 permanent visas, similar to the previous year.
Skilled Stream- There are 132,200 places secured for the dedicated skilled visas. It covers around 71% of the total programs. Some of these include:
- Employer Sponsor Visas – It provides direct entry to the Subclass 186, ensuring candidates with temporary residence can transition to permanent residence.
- Skilled Independent Visa- It gives subclass 189 entry with temporary residence transition.
- State/ Territory Nominated (190) and Regional (491) categories
- Business Innovation and Talent/ Innovation Visa- It includes the new National Innovation (subclass 858) offer.
Family Visas– 52,500 seats, that is 28% is reserved for the supporting places, child, parent, and other family reunion visas.
Special Eligibility- 300 places, which is 0.2% are reserved for returning permanent residents or for some special cases.
Multiyear Planning- Candidates who move from an annual to a four-year planning cycle, between 2025-26 and 2028-29, get the stability to align migration with infrastructure and economic planning.
Continuity After Consultation- Final cooperation with the state and territory governments for a better size and structure.
How the New Visa Holders Percentage Affects Previous Visa Holders:
- The share of skilled stream visas assures consistency with 2024-25 and that applicants will not face any reduction or redistribution in the key cohorts.
- Family stream holders will be retained with the same 28% allocation, and that means the pending parent visa or partner visa applicants will not get the same processing levels.
- Special eligibility will remain the same, and in that case, it can be rare but can be accounted for.
- Candidates who already have any eligible visas or have their visa applications under process, subclass 189,190, 491, will remain the same even after the effect of the new planning cycle. They need to lodge the same way, the processing will be the same, and they will have a similar schedule and allocations.
- No Retroactive Adjustments- There are some earlier planning level changes, and those will not affect the current applicants or holders in any way. Also, the designed programs will have continuity and fairness in the same way.
Conclusion- What You Should Or Shouldn’t Do?
In 2025-26, Permanent Migration Programs will remain simple, predictable, and skill-focused. If you are a skilled worker, an employer-sponsored candidate, a state-nominated, or a needed family visa, then this year you will get the certainty and clarity with the changes. Bullseye Consultants has a team that will guide you with no time visa applications in the stream and ensure the plans will go effectively. Check the new National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) option by proving your qualifications. These changes will not make any reductionss to places. With clear quotas and stream split, applicants will get clarity and meet the eligibility criteria in the best options to seek a permanent visa in this cycle.
Planning to move to Australia? Bullseye Consultants is here to help. As trusted migration agents in Brisbane, we provide expert visa guidance and personalized support for a smooth transition.
