On 14 May 2024, the Australian government announced that the planning level for the 2024-25 permanent migration program will be set at 185,000. The program has been designed to address the skills shortage in Australia and attract specialist skillets that are difficult to find or develop in Australia.
The program has the following composition:
Skill Stream (132,200 places) - this stream is designed to fill skill shortages in the labour market. This is approximately 71 per cent of the program.
Family stream (52,500) - this stream is made up of partner visas enabling family members from overseas to reunite with family in Australia. This is approximately 28 per cent of the program. Of this stream:
40,500 Partner visas are estimated for 2024-25 for planning purposes, noting this category is demand driven and not subject to a ceiling.
3,000 Child visas are estimated for 2024-25 for planning purposes, noting this category is demand driven and not subject to a ceiling.
Special Eligibility stream (300 places) - this stream covers visas for those in special circumstances, including permanent residents returning to Australia after a period overseas.
A breakdown of the planning levels are the following:
Visa Stream | Visa Category | 2023 - 2024 Planning Levels | 2024 - 25 Planning levels |
Skilled | Employer Sponsored | 36,285 | 44,000 |
| Skilled Independent | 30,375 | 16,900 |
| Regional | 32,300 | 33,000 |
| State/Territory Nominated | 30,400 | 33,000 |
| Business Innovation & Investment | 1,900 | 1,000 |
| Global Talent (independent) | 5,000 | 4,000 |
| Distinguished Talent | 300 | 300 |
| Total | 137,100 | 132,200 |
Visa Stream | Visa Category | 2023-24 Planning levels | 2024-25 Planning levels |
Family | Partner | 40,500 | 40,500 |
| Parent | 8,500 | 8,500 |
| Child | 3,000 | 3,000 |
| Other Family | 500 | 500 |
| Total | 52,500 | 52,500 |
Visa Stream | Visa Category | 2023-24 Planning levels | 2024-25 Planning levels |
Other | Special Eligibility | 400 | 300 |
| Total Migration Program | 190,000 | 185,000 |
| | | |
The 2024-25 permanent Migration has been set at a planning level of 185,000 with an approximate 70:30 split between the Skill and Family streams. The Australian government has increased the planning levels for the State/Territory Nominated category to 33,000 visas, and the planning level for the Regional category to 33,000 visas for the 2024-25 Migration Program. More significantly, the government has reduced the allocation for Skilled Independent Visas to 16,900 places. This is a major decrease from the 2023-24 levels. The Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) will be closed permanently from July 2024.
Do you require further assistance
If you have further questions about the above, or have any other immigration related query, please get in touch with our experienced team. Contact us by email at hello@canberramigrationservices.com.au or by phone at +614517572873.
This article does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Please consult an immigration professional for up to date information.
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