The Australian Government has confirmed that the permanent Migration Program for 2025–26 will remain capped at 185,000 places, the same as last year. The focus continues to be on skilled migration, which makes up the majority of places available.
Key details include:
Skill stream: 132,200 places (71%)
Family stream: 52,500 places (28%)
Special Eligibility: 300 places
Total program size: 185,000 permanent places
The Skill stream remains the largest part of the program, showing how much importance Australia places on workers who can fill critical gaps in the labour market.
This decision came after consultations with states and territories, which agreed that the size and composition of the program should remain unchanged. According to the Department of Home Affairs, visa processing has already been running at this level, so applicants can expect business as usual with no major disruptions.
State/territory allocations are not yet announced
Specific allocations per state are not yet released for the 2025–26 State Nominated Migration Program. We’ll be monitoring these migration updates closely, so keep an eye out on this page for the latest announcements.
State-specific updates
Both Western Australia and South Australia have been given small interim allocations for the 2025–26 program year.
In WA, this interim allocation will be used to finish processing leftover applications from 2024–25.
Similarly, SA will use the small allocation to invite strong applicants from the 2024–25 ROIs who are contributing to the state’s workforce needs.
Once the Australian government gives both states their full allocations, each state will release their full program details and policies for 2025–26.
What this means for you
The current migration cap will ensure that opportunities to migrate are not reduced. However, competition, especially in the Skilled stream, will remain strong.
If you’re a student, this means you’ll have to plan your study-to-PR pathway wisely.
If you’re a student aiming for permanent residency, the best approach is to study a course that genuinely interests you, while also planning for PR pathways.
That doesn’t mean limiting yourself to courses on the Skilled Occupation List—though that can be an advantage.
It can also mean:
Choosing to study in a regional area where your profession is in demand,
Extending your studies to specialise and strengthen your profile, or
Finding a university with strong industry placements to boost your job prospects after graduation.
Making these early adjustments gives you flexibility to build a career you love while also keeping your migration goals within reach.
And if you’re a skilled migrant planning to live and work in Australia, the strict competition when it comes to skilled visas means you’ll have to be more strategic. This can mean you have to:
Choose an occupation that’s in demand in your chosen state or territory
Improve your Expression of Interest (EOI) points with relevant work experience
And continually update your EOI to make sure it’s competitive
When it comes to lodging a competitive EOI, one thing you can do to boost your EOI points is to have a high English test score.
What are the English requirements for the Skilled and Family streams?
Skilled stream
For skilled visas, you need to have a Proficient or Superior level of English to boost your EOI points (specific scores below).
Family stream
For partner visas, the applicant must show:
Functional English (IELTS average of 4.5 or equivalent).
If not met, you’ll need to pay for an English Language Charge before receiving your visa.
How your English score boosts your PR chances
If you’re going for PR through the Skilled stream, your English test can give your points a big boost. You’ll get:
20 points for Superior English
10 points for Proficient English
These points can be the difference between getting an invite soon and waiting around for months.
And because the stakes are high, the test you choose matters too. IELTS is trusted by the Department of Home Affairs, and a strong score here could be what pushes your EOI ahead of the pack.
IELTS scores you need for skilled visas
Here are the IELTS scores you’ll need to meet to achieve Superior or Proficient English.
English level | IELTS Academic | IELTS General Training |
Proficient | Listening - 7 Reading - 7 Writing - 7 Speaking - 7 | Listening - 7 Reading - 7 Writing - 7 Speaking - 7 |
Superior | Listening - 8 Reading - 8 Writing - 8 Speaking - 8 | Listening - 8 Reading - 8 Writing - 8 Speaking - 8 |
As you can see, you have the option to take either IELTS Academic or General Training for skilled visas.
For many test takers, IELTS General Training could be a better option because it assesses everyday English skills, which means the tasks feel more practical and straightforward.
Why IELTS makes it simpler
When it comes to proving your English proficiency for migration, IELTS gives you an edge:
Global recognition: IELTS is trusted by DHA and recognised by 12,500+ organisations worldwide, including top universities and registration bodies.
Consistent in format for years. So if you need to take IELTS at any point in your PR journey, you don’t have to worry about sudden changes. Once you learn the format, you can focus on improving your skills, knowing your preparation will stay relevant and reliable.
IELTS has a wide range of preparation materials, so you’ll have everything you need to perform at your best on test day.