Update (October 2026)
These are the 2019-20 Migration Program results, kept as published. For 2026-27 the permanent program is set at 185,000 places, with 132,240 in the Skill stream and employer sponsored visas now the largest category. The Business Innovation and Investment program closed to new applications on 31 July 2024, and Global Talent and Distinguished Talent were replaced by the National Innovation visa in December 2024. See the 2026-27 Migration Program planning levels.
The government announced the outcomes of the 2019-20 Migration Program. The permanent residency intake for this period was 140,366. Of the total intakes, seventy per cent of the visas were granted through the skilled program. That is, 95,842 visas were granted for people in the skill stream.
The breakdown of the skill stream is as follows:
| Skill stream category (2019-20) | Visas granted |
|---|---|
| Employer Sponsored | 29,261 |
| Skilled Independent | 12,986 |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional | 8,372 |
| Skilled Work Regional | 15,000 |
| State/Territory Nominated | 21,495 |
| Business Innovation and Investment | 4,420 |
| Global Talent | 4,109 |
| Distinguished Talent | 200 |
The Employer Sponsored category had an outcome of 29,261 places against a planning level of 30,000 places. Employer Sponsored visas comprised 30.5 per cent of the Skill stream outcome;
State/Territory of Intended Residence
Where applicants have specified the state/territory they intended to reside, they have indicated (these are ordered from highest to lowest):
Top occupations
Now let’s take a look at the top occupation groups which were granted permanent residency.
The top groups are:
- Professionals: 59.6% of the visas were granted to professionals. They include professionals in the health, ICT, education, arts, and media industry.
- Technicians and Trade Workers: 17% are trade workers, engineers, and IT technicians.
- Managers: 9% are hospitality managers, retail managers and company executives.
- Community and Personal Service Workers: 2% of the visas were granted to community workers and social workers.
- Clerical and Administrative Workers: 1% are administrative staff.
Top Occupations for Skilled Independent visas
A total of 12,986 subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa were granted to applicants. The top occupations were:
- Software engineer (580 grants)
- Accountant (399 grants)
- Developer programmer (284 grants)
- Computer network and systems engineer (237 grants)
- Mechanical engineer (223 grants)
- registered nurses nec (219 grants)
- ICT security specialist (212)
- ICT business analyst (183)
- Medical Practitioners nec (180 grants)
- Civil Engineer (153 grants)
- Electrical engineer (104 grants)
- General practitioner (93 grants)
Top Occupations for Skilled Regional visas
After the introduction of the new regional visas (sc491 and sc494), 8,372 visas were granted to Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional and 15,000 for Skilled Work Regional. In total, 23,372 applicants received a regional visa. The top occupations for this group were:
Earlier migration program news
- Major Partner Visa Changes, Family-Employer-Business Visas Prioritised Within 160,000 Places
- Migration Numbers and Study Australia Updates
- New Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List announced
- Migration Program planning levels
- Skilled Occupations List
- PMSOL (2020 priority list, no longer used)
- Global Talent visa invitation numbers by nationality
- Source 1
- Source 2
What this means in 2026
The 2019-20 figures above show where permanent residency places went six years ago. The program has changed a lot since then. The total permanent program for 2026-27 is 185,000 places, and the Skill stream has grown to 132,240 places, so more skilled visas are available than in 2019-20. The mix has also shifted, which matters when you choose a pathway.
| Skill category | 2019-20 outcome | 2026-27 planning level |
|---|---|---|
| Employer Sponsored | 29,261 | 58,040 |
| Skilled Independent (189) | 12,986 | 21,090 |
| State/Territory Nominated (190) | 21,495 | 35,500 |
| Regional (491 and 494) | 23,372 | 14,110 |
| Business Innovation and Investment | 4,420 | Closed to new applications from 31 July 2024 |
| Global Talent and Distinguished Talent | 4,309 | Replaced by Talent and Innovation: 3,500 (includes the National Innovation visa) |
| Skill stream total | 95,842 | 132,240 |
Who this affects
- Employer sponsored applicants: employer sponsored places have roughly doubled since 2019-20. The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) replaced the TSS visa on 7 December 2024, and the 186 visa is the main permanent employer pathway.
- Points tested applicants: more 189 and 190 places are available, but invitations still depend on your occupation, points score and state nomination criteria.
- Regional applicants: regional places were cut sharply for 2026-27, so state allocations for the 491 visa are smaller and more competitive.
- Business and talent applicants: the 188 business visas are closed. High achievers can consider the National Innovation visa.
The occupations that led in 2019-20 (software and ICT, accounting, engineering and health) are still common in skilled migration, but each visa now uses its own lists. The 482 Core Skills stream uses the Core Skills Occupation List, while the 189, 190 and 491 visas use the skilled occupation lists and each state’s own criteria. Processing priorities are also set by Ministerial Directions 121 and 122 from 19 September 2026.
Next steps
- Check your occupation on the skilled occupation list.
- Work out your score with the PR points calculator.
- Compare state nomination and employer sponsorship options for your occupation.
- Read the latest migration news for October 2026.
- Book a consultation for advice on your best pathway.
Australian Migration News: October 2026 Update
Student visa changes from 2 October 2026
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