Australia’s 2025–26 Permanent Migration Program: What You Need to Know
- Fortuno Lawyers
- Sep 10
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 9
On 2 September 2025, the Australian Government confirmed that the 2025–26 Permanent Migration Program will be set at 185,000 places, offering significant opportunities for individuals looking to reside permanently in Australia.
Program Composition at a Glance
Total places: 185,000
Skill stream: 132,200 places (71%)
Family stream: 52,500 places (28%)
Special Eligibility: 300 places
The Skilled Stream – Strengthening the Workforce
The skilled stream remains the largest component of the program, designed to address workforce shortages and strengthen Australia’s labour force.
Breakdown of skilled stream places for 2025–26:
Employer Sponsored visas: 44,000
Skilled Independent visas: 16,900
Regional visas: 33,000
State/Territory Nominated visas: 33,000
Business Innovation & Investment visas: 1,000
Talent and Innovation visas: 4,300 (transitioning from the Global Talent and Distinguished Talent categories)
Where Our Legal Advice Can Help
Employer Sponsored visas: Employers must meet strict sponsorship and compliance obligations. Failure to structure applications correctly can delay approvals.
Regional and State/Territory Nominated visas: Each jurisdiction applies its own criteria. Preparing a competitive application requires understanding nuanced requirements across different states.
Talent and Innovation visas: This new category consolidates the former Global Talent and Distinguished Talent visas. Assessing eligibility under the new National Innovation visa framework is complex, and professional guidance can help applicants avoid costly missteps.
Talent and Innovation Category
This new category consolidates the former Global Talent and Distinguished Talent visas under the National Innovation visa. Importantly, existing applicants will not be disadvantaged by this transition and will be assessed under the rules that applied at the time of their application.
If you are interested to learn more about your eligibility for this stream, request a consultation with us today via the link below.
Family Migration – A Vital but Complex Pathway
The family stream has been maintained at 52,500 places, offering critical opportunities for Australians to reunite with their loved ones.
Partner visas (40,500): Now demand-driven, meaning numbers can fluctuate. Processing delays and documentary requirements are common pitfalls.
Parent visas (8,500): High demand continues to drive long wait times, requiring careful planning.
Child visas (3,000): Although demand-driven, strict evidentiary requirements apply, particularly in complex custody or adoption situations.
Where Fortuno Lawyers Can Help
Partner visas often require substantial evidence of relationship genuineness. Applications are frequently refused on documentary grounds, and getting this correct from the outset of the application is critical to secure a permanent visa to Australia.
Parent visas involve navigating long queues and assessing alternative pathways.
Child visas require careful attention to international custody and guardianship rules.
Special Eligibility
A small allocation of 300 places is reserved for special cases, such as permanent residents returning to Australia after time overseas.
How We Can Help
At Fortuno Lawyers, we assist clients across the full spectrum of Australia’s migration pathways. We provide strategic advice and practical guidance to give your application the best chance of success.
Critical areas where professional advice can make a difference include:
Identifying the right skilled migration pathway in a competitive allocation system.
Meeting state or territory nomination requirements that vary across jurisdictions.
Preparing strong applications for Partner, Parent, or Child visas to minimise risk of refusal.
Understanding new categories, such as the Talent and Innovation visa, which involve evolving eligibility standards.
If you are considering applying under for a permanent residency in 2025, contact us to discuss your options and how we can support you at every stage of the process.
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