Recent updates from the Department of Home Affairs reveal that all Australian states/territories have fully allocated their 2024-25 state nomination quotas, successfully meeting their distribution targets without any wastage—a commendable achievement!

Key Policy Shifts:

Net Migration Reduction Targets:

2023-24: ~520,000

2024-25: ↓ 335,000 (35% reduction)

2025-26: ↓ 260,000 (50% below peak)

2026-27 onward: Stabilized at ~225,000

Affected Visa Categories:

Permanent Residency (PR) applicants

Student visa holders

Working Holiday Visa (WHV) holders

Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS 482) visa holders

Other visa applicants

Major Immigration Reform:

The government has shifted from annual to 4-year immigration planning cycles, with the first cycle spanning 2025-26 to 2028-29.

Goals of the Reform:

Align migration policies with long-term economic growthBetter match infrastructure development needs

Optimize allocation of social services resources

What's Next?

2025-26 state nomination quotas will be announced within 1-2 weeks.

Prospective applicants are advised to contact migration consultants for priority updates.