Permanent Visa Planning Levels for each Financial Year in Australia are normally published in May as part of the Budget Announcement. This year the announcement only happened in September and it came with the news that the total number of permanent visas (places) was staying the same as last financial year.
That is great but, it is important to plan your visa strategy around some realities that the number bring.
We will walk you through there here.
In short:
· Program size: The Government has set 185,000 permanent places for 2025–26.
- Working baseline for 2025–26: Skilled Visas 132,200; Family Visas 52,500; Special Eligibility Visas 300.
- The reality: around 60% of final visa grants are issued to applicants who are physically in Australia (onshore) at the time the decision is made — more below
- Structural changes to note: Business Innovation and Investor Visas 188/888 closed to new applications on 31 July 2024; Global Talent Visa transitioned to the National Innovation visa on 7 December 2024.
- Planning horizon: Expect a multi-year approach from 2025–26, with less volatility between streams.
What “185,000 for 2025–26” actually signals
The decision to set the 2025–26 Permanent Migration Program at 185,000 is a settings decision. That means the Government is signalling no major re-weighting between Skill and Family streams for this program year. This implies your visa strategy should be optimised within the funded streams rather than expecting large reallocations between Skill and Family during 2025–26.
The 2025–26 allocations that matter in practice
These are the planning figures for 2025–26 that should guide your strategy.
| Stream | Planning level |
| Skill (total) | 132,200 |
| Employer Sponsored | 44,000 |
| Skilled Independent (subclass 189) | 16,900 |
| Regional | 33,000 |
| State/Territory Nominated | 33,000 |
| Business Innovation & Investment Program (BIIP) | 1,000 |
| National Innovation (successor to Global Talent) | 4,000 |
| Distinguished Talent | 300 |
| Family (total) | 52,500 |
| Partner | 40,500 |
| Parent | 8,500 |
| Child | 3,000 |
| Other Family | 500 |
| Special Eligibility | 300 |
| Program total | 185,000 |
Changes that shift behaviour even when totals don’t
- 188/888 Investor Visas closed (31 July 2024): No new applications accepted; a small planning figure exists to finalise the remaining pipeline.
- National Innovation visa (from 7 Dec 2024): Replaced Global Talent; expect higher evidentiary standards and tighter targeting.
- Processing priorities: Employer-sponsored roles in healthcare and teaching are prioritised; regional sponsorship remains emphasised.
Operational realities to plan around
- Historically, about six in every ten final visa approvals have been granted to applicants who were physically present in Australia when the Department decided their applications. If 185,000 total grants were issued in a year with this pattern, that would equate to roughly 111,000 onshore grants and 74,000 offshore grants — the exact numbers vary by year and by stream.
- Why it happens: Onshore applicants typically have information that’s easier and quicker for the Department to verify (Australian payslips, local referees, bridging visas, identity and character checks already underway). Processing priorities and operational efficiencies tend to favour complete onshore files, which often results in a higher share of grants for onshore applicants.
- This is an observed pattern, not a reserved quota or guaranteed allocation. The share of onshore vs offshore grants can change in response to government direction, processing capacity, and program settings.
Practical implications
- If you’re onshore: keep evidence current (payslips, tax records, local referees) and be ready to respond quickly to departmental requests — this reduces friction and can speed outcomes.
- If you’re offshore: expect longer timelines and ensure all documents are fully verified; consider employer sponsorship, state/regional nomination, or other mechanisms that can improve processing prospects.
Invitation dynamics and multi-year planning
- Invitation rounds (SkillSelect): Points-tested invitations are issued in discrete rounds. Candidates should maximise points and documentation before an invitation window (English test results, verified skilled employment, partner points, recognised credentials).
- Multi-year approach: From 2025–26, expect steadier program settings. Planning should focus on stream optimisation, evidence strength, salary/market-rate compliance and jurisdictional alignment.
With 16,900 places for 189 in 2025–26, treat invitations as scarce — improve English, verify skilled employment, leverage partner points, and maintain state alternatives.
State/Territory or Regional planners: With a projected 66,000 combined places across State Nominated and Regional visa allocations, prioritise jurisdictional requirements, regional ties and evidence of local commitment. Word of advice though: last financial year there were way fewer allocations given to states.
Family pathways: Partner/Child remain demand-driven — aim for decision-ready completeness to put you in the 50% of applications that are processed in 15 months.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is the size of the Permanent Migration Program for 2025–26?
A: 185,000 places.
Q: How is the 2025–26 program split?
A: Skill 132,200; Family 52,500; Special Eligibility 300.
Q: What does onshore vs offshore mean here?
A: “Onshore” means the applicant is physically in Australia when the Department decides the case. Historically, around 60% of final grants have been to onshore applicants because their files are often easier to verify and process.
Q: Does “60% onshore” mean those places are reserved?
A: No — it’s an observed outcome based on processing patterns, not a guaranteed quota.
Q: I’m targeting subclass 189 — what should I do now?
A: Maximise points before invitation rounds: English, verified skilled employment, partner points, and state alternatives.
Key terms (glossary)
- Permanent Migration Program: Government planning levels for permanent visas.
- Skill stream: Employer Sponsored, Skilled Independent (189), Regional, State/Territory Nominated.
- Family stream: Partner, Parent, Child, Other Family.
- Demand-driven: Categories (like Partner and Child) where outcomes respond to lodged applications rather than fixed annual caps.
- SkillSelect: Departmental invitation system for points-tested visas.
- National Innovation visa: Successor to Global Talent.
Next step
If you’d like a Registered Migration Agent to review your situation, match you to the right stream, and map the required evidence and timing for 2025–26, contact Bravo Migration for a tailored consultation. We will assess your options and provide a clear, actionable plan.
