Australia is continuing to adjust its migration system as the Government works towards its planned Net Overseas Migration levels.
The latest migration reforms are not only about visa rules. They are also connected to Australia’s broader approach to managing migration numbers and attracting workers with skills needed by the economy.
Australia’s Net Overseas Migration Forecasts
The Government’s Budget forecasts set Net Overseas Migration at:
| Financial Year | Net Overseas Migration Forecast |
| 2026–27 | 245,000 |
| 2027–28 | 225,000 |
These figures represent Net Overseas Migration (NOM) and should not be interpreted as the number of visas Australia will issue.
NOM measures the net change in Australia’s population from people arriving and departing Australia for migration purposes.
Why Is Australia Managing Migration Levels?
The Government says the migration reforms are designed to:
● Support Australia’s workforce needs
● Attract workers with skills Australia needs
● Improve migration system integrity
● Manage population growth
● Reduce misuse of temporary visa pathways
● Bring migration closer to Budget forecasts
This is why recent changes cover several different visa categories rather than focusing only on skilled migration.
Skilled Migration Remains Important
At the same time as Australia manages overall migration numbers, the Government is placing greater processing priority on selected skilled sectors.
These include:
● Healthcare
● Construction
● Education
● Agriculture
● Resources
● Aquaculture
● Fishing
● Law enforcement
● Defence
This creates an important distinction: Australia is managing overall migration levels while continuing to prioritise skills considered important to the economy.
What Does This Mean for Future Migrants?
People planning to move to Australia should focus on eligibility rather than migration numbers alone.
For skilled workers, this means understanding:
● Your occupation
● Skills assessment
● English requirements
● Points or nomination requirements
● Employer sponsorship options
● Current processing priorities
For students, the focus should be on choosing an appropriate course and understanding the visa requirements rather than assuming that studying in Australia automatically provides a pathway to PR.
Migration Policy Can Change
Australian migration policy is regularly updated.
Therefore, migration numbers, visa rules and processing priorities should always be checked against the latest official Department of Home Affairs information.
Applicants should avoid relying solely on old social media posts, outdated articles or general migration advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Australia’s migration target for 2026–27?
The Government’s Net Overseas Migration forecast for 2026–27 is 245,000.
2. What is the migration forecast for 2027–28?
The Net Overseas Migration forecast for 2027–28 is 225,000.
3. Does 245,000 mean Australia will issue 245,000 visas?
No. Net Overseas Migration is different from the number of visas granted.
4. Is Australia reducing skilled migration?
Australia is changing how migration is managed while giving processing priority to selected skilled sectors that are considered important to the economy.
5. Which skilled sectors are receiving priority?
Healthcare, construction, education, agriculture, resources, aquaculture, fishing, law enforcement and defence are among the priority areas.
6. Will Australia’s migration policy change again?
Migration policy can be changed by the Australian Government, so applicants should check the latest official information before applying.
