Australian Migration Program Planning Levels 2024-25

Announcement Date: 14 May 2024

2024-25 Permanent Migration Program: Set at 185,000 places

Migration Program planning levels as announced as part of the 2023-24 and 2024-25 Federal Budgets

Objectives

• Address skill shortages in priority sectors
• Prioritize regional visa processing
• Strengthen family and community bonds
• Boost labor force and participation rates

Program Composition

Skill Stream: 132,200 places (71% of the program)

Enhance economic productivity and fill labor market gaps, especially in regional areas

Family Stream: 52,500 places (28% of the program)

Primarily Partner visas (40,500), Child visas (3,000)

Special Eligibility Stream: 300 places

For those in special circumstances, including returning permanent residents

Employer-Sponsored Visa Category

• Increase from 36,825 to 44,000 visas
• Expanded pathway to permanent residence

State/Territory Nominated Visa Category

• Increased to 33,000 visas
• Supports regional economic and labour needs

Skilled Independent Visa Category

• 16,900 places (reduced from 30,375)
• Still above pre-COVID levels

Skilled Independent Visa Category

• 16,900 places (reduced from 30,375)
• Still above pre-COVID levels

Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP)

• Reduced from 1,900 to 1,000 visas
• BIIP to be closed in July 2024
• New National Innovation visa to replace BIIP

Global Talent Visa Category

• Slightly reduced to 4,000 visas
• Transitioning to a National Innovation visa

Family Stream

• Maintained at current levels
• Partner visa is demand-driven for flexibility and reduced processing times
• Parent visa at 8,500 places, Other Family visas at 500 places
• Child visa remains demand-driven at 3,000 places

Multi-Year Planning Model

• Starting 2025-26, moving to a four-year planning cycle.
• Aligns migration planning with long-term infrastructure, housing, and service's needs.
• Public consultation to begin for the first cycle (2025-26 to 2028-29) later this year.