The Australian Government announced on May 9, 2023, that they have set the planning level for the 2023-24 permanent Migration Program at 190,000 spots. This program aims to address existing and emerging skills shortages in Australia by attracting individuals with specialized skillsets that are difficult to find or develop within the country. It serves the purpose of enhancing resilience, increasing productivity, and supporting the transition to net-zero emissions in the economy.

The 2023-24 permanent Migration Program also acknowledges the valuable contributions made by all migrants to social cohesion. It prioritizes strengthening family and community ties within Australia, demonstrating the government’s commitment to family reunification. Additionally, the program is intended to address the challenges posed by an aging population. By bringing in migrants who are typically younger than the existing population, it helps reduce the average age and slow down the aging process.

A well-targeted and skill-focused Migration Program supplements the working-age population, leading to higher participation rates and a larger labor force. The 2023-24 permanent Migration Program is composed of three streams. The Skill stream constitutes approximately 72% of the program, with 137,100 places allocated to it. This stream is designed to enhance the economy’s productive capacity and address skill shortages, including those in regional Australia.

The Family stream comprises around 28% of the program, with 52,500 places. It primarily consists of Partner visas, enabling Australians to reunite with family members from abroad and providing pathways to citizenship. Within this stream, an estimated 40,500 Partner visas and 3,000 Child visas are planned for 2023-24, with no specific ceiling as they are demand-driven categories.

Lastly, the Special Eligibility stream, which accounts for 400 places, covers visas for individuals in special circumstances, such as permanent residents returning to Australia after residing overseas.