Australia has kept the permanent Migration Program at 185,000 places for 2026–27, while changing the composition to place greater emphasis on migrants already living in the country.
Home Affairs says the program includes 132,240 Skilled Migration places, 52,460 Family places and 300 Special Eligibility places.
The government has allocated 129,590 places across the Skill and Family streams to migrants already onshore, while 55,110 offshore places are intended to prioritise highly skilled migrants who can contribute to long-term workforce needs.
Within the skilled program, the planning levels include 21,090 Skilled Independent places, 58,040 Employer Sponsored places and 35,500 State/Territory Nominated places.
For Nepali migrants, the headline number is only the start. Eligibility for a particular visa still depends on the relevant visa criteria, occupation, skills assessment, points, nomination or sponsorship requirements and processing priorities.
The program is also separate from temporary migration. Student visas and other temporary visas are not counted as places within the permanent Migration Program.
Anyone making an immigration decision should use Home Affairs information and, where professional assistance is needed, an appropriately registered migration professional.