The 2026–27 Federal Budget sets the permanent Migration Program planning level at 185,000 places. Of that total, 132,240 places (over 70 per cent) are allocated to the Skill stream.
The Budget also states how places are prioritised by location. Across both the Skill and Family streams, 129,590 places are allocated to migrants already living in Australia, with an additional 300 places for Special Eligibility. The remaining 55,110 offshore places will predominantly be allocated to high-skilled migrants who help address Australia’s long-term skill needs. The Government says this approach will place downward pressure on net overseas migration.
What this means in practice:
- •A planning level is a delivery target for permanent visas in the program year — not a promise that every EOI or nomination will succeed
- •Onshore applicants are explicitly prioritised in the Budget allocation between onshore and offshore places
- •Offshore places are described as predominantly for high-skilled migrants supporting long-term skill needs
- •SkillSelect invitation rounds, state nomination programs, and employer sponsorship still operate inside these broader ceilings
Related Budget measures announced alongside the planning levels include reforming the permanent migration points test (new point tables are not published yet — see our separate update), expanding ballots in the Working Holiday Maker program, and $85.2 million over four years from 2026–27 to accelerate skills assessments and occupational licensing for migrant trades workers.
What the Budget text does not publish in that planning-levels paragraph:
- •A full subclass-by-subclass breakdown (for example exact 189 / 190 / 491 ceilings)
- •State and territory nomination allocations
- •A fixed SkillSelect invitation-round calendar
- •Changes to visa eligibility criteria or the current points test tables
If you are planning a skilled pathway, keep your EOI current, check state nomination openings directly with each state or territory, and treat law-firm summaries of “ceilings by subclass” as unverified unless they cite an official Home Affairs planning-levels table. Always confirm figures on Budget papers or the Department of Home Affairs website.