Australian.com’s update to the government’s 2026-27 Migration Program planning levels confirms the headline ceiling of 185 000 permanent visas, with 70 % reserved for skilled migrants, but shows a strategic pivot toward Employer-Sponsored visas, which gain 14 040 extra places (up to 58 040). Regional visas lose 18 890 places, reflecting Canberra’s view that employer nomination better targets genuine skills shortages than points-tested pathways. Skilled-Independent (subclass 189) allocations rise by 4 190, while Talent & Innovation places fall again to 3 500 as the government winds down legacy BIIP streams. Home Affairs notes that 129 590 of the 185 000 places are expected to go to migrants already living in Australia, cementing the trend toward onshore conversions. For multinationals this means internal transfers and local hires may find processing faster under employer sponsorship, while offshore candidates in regional categories face fiercer competition.
Source: Australian.com
