2017-18 Migration Programme planning levels: Australia
Migration Programme planning levels
The Migration Programme is designed to achieve a range of economic and social outcomes. The programme is set annually, with the total places available capped at 190,000 for 2017-18, unchanged from 2016-17. The total programme is broken down into the following streams:
- Skilled – designed to improve the productive capacity of the economy and fill skill shortages in the labour market, including those in regional Australia. This represents the majority of places offered (128,550 places in 2017-18).
- Family – is predominately made up of Partner visas, enabling Australians to reunite with family members from overseas, and provide them with pathways to citizenship (57,400 places in 2017-18). Fact Sheet – Overview of family stream migration has more information.
- Special Eligibility – this covers visas for those in special circumstances that do not fit into the other streams. This can include permanent residents returning to the country after a period away, and is the smallest stream (565 places in 2017-18).
More information is available in Fact Sheet – Special Eligibility Stream.
At least 3,485 Child places will be available outside the managed Migration Programme in 2017-18.
Stream and Category | 2016-17 | 2017-18 |
---|---|---|
Skill stream | ||
Employer Sponsored | 48,250 | 48,250 |
Skilled Independent | 43,990 | 43,990 |
State & Territory & Regional Sponsored | 28,850 | 28,850 |
Business Innovation & Investment Programme | 7,260 | 7,260 |
Distinguished Talent | 200 | 200 |
Skill Total | 128,550 | 128,550 |
Skill % of Programme | 68.9%* | 68.9%* |
Family Stream | ||
Partner | 47,825 | 47,825 |
Parent | 8,675 | 8,675 |
Other Family | 900 | 900 |
Family Total | 57,400 | 57,400 |
Family % of Programme | 30.8%* | 30.8%* |
Special Eligibility | 565 | 565 |
Total Migration Programme | 186,515 | 186,515 |
Child (outside the Migration Programme) | 3,485 | 3,485 |
* As a percentage of the Migration Programme.
Programme size and composition
The size and composition of the Migration Programme is set each year through the Australian Government’s Budget process. It is informed following broad public consultations with stakeholders, including business and community groups from all states and territories. Community views, economic and labour force forecasts, international research, net overseas migration and economic and fiscal modelling are all taken into account when planning the programme.
Humanitarian Programme
The Humanitarian Programme is managed outside of the permanent Migration Programme and is for refugees and others in humanitarian need.
For more information regarding 2017-18 Migration Programme planning levels: Australia, please contact our migration team at mizanur@australasiaeduconnect.com.au or visit us at www.australasiaeduconnect.com.au.
Source: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about/corporate/information/fact-sheets/20planning