Australia’s 2024–25 Migration Program: A Strategic Approach to Economic Growth and Social Cohesion

On 14 May 2024, the Australian Government announced the planning levels for the 2024–25 permanent Migration Program, setting the cap at 185,000 places. This allocation aims to address critical skill shortages, support regional development, and strengthen family and community bonds. The program is structured with a focus on skilled migration while maintaining pathways for family reunification.

A Balanced Migration Program: Key Highlights

The 2024–25 Migration Program is designed with a 70:30 split between the Skill and Family streams, ensuring that Australia continues to attract talent that meets economic demands while fostering strong social connections.

Skill Stream: Addressing Workforce Needs

The Skill stream remains the largest component, with 132,200 places (71%) of the total migration program. This category is aimed at filling labour shortages, particularly in regional Australia, and enhancing economic productivity. Key allocations include:

• Employer Sponsored Visas
  The number of visas under this category has increased to 44,000, reflecting the government’s commitment to providing temporary skilled workers with a clear pathway to permanent residence. The expanded Temporary Residence Transition Stream plays a crucial role in this process.

• State/Territory Nominated and Regional Visas
  Both categories have been allocated 33,000 places each, supporting local and regional economies by ensuring jurisdictions can nominate skilled workers based on their specific workforce needs.

• Skilled Independent Visas
  This category has been reduced to 16,900 places, down from 30,375 in the previous year. Despite the decrease, it remains higher than pre-COVID levels, demonstrating its continued importance in attracting highly skilled migrants.

• Global Talent and Business Innovation Visas
  The Global Talent Visa Program has been adjusted to 4,000 places, aligning with Australia’s broader innovation strategy.
  The Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) has been significantly reduced to 1,000 places and will be permanently closed from July 2024, making way for the upcoming National Innovation Visa.

Family Stream: Strengthening Social Bonds

The Family stream remains at 52,500 places (28%), ensuring Australian citizens and permanent residents can reunite with their families. The breakdown includes:

• Partner Visas – Set at 40,500 places, continuing under a demand-driven model to facilitate family reunification.

• Parent Visas – Maintained at 8,500 places, recognising the valuable social contributions of migrant parents.

• Child Visas – Remaining at 3,000 places, reinforcing the government’s priority on family-based migration.

Special Eligibility Stream

A smaller allocation of 300 places has been designated for individuals in exceptional circumstances, including returning permanent residents.

Key Policy Changes: What’s New in 2024–25?

Closure of the Business Innovation and Investment Program

The BIIP will be permanently discontinued in July 2024, with no new applications for the subclass 188 visa being accepted. This decision follows extensive economic evaluations, concluding that the program has not delivered strong economic outcomes. The National Innovation Visa, set to launch by the end of 2024, will replace BIIP and focus on attracting exceptional global talent.

Transition to Multi-Year Migration Planning

From 2025–26, Australia’s migration program will move to a four-year planning model, enhancing alignment with long-term infrastructure, housing, and economic strategies. This shift aims to provide greater certainty for stakeholders and better integrate migration policy with broader national planning.

State and Territory Nomination Allocations

Each state and territory has been assigned a specific allocation under the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visas. These allocations determine the number of new applicants that each jurisdiction can nominate, ensuring migration supports state-specific economic and workforce needs.

The allocation levels indicate a strong emphasis on regional migration, with significant places assigned to states and territories to attract skilled workers to areas experiencing labour shortages. This strategic focus aims to strengthen regional economies and infrastructure while supporting local businesses in filling critical workforce gaps.

Migration and Net Overseas Migration (NOM)

The permanent Migration Program is only one component of Net Overseas Migration (NOM), which includes temporary visa holders, students, and humanitarian entrants.
Notably, 60% of permanent visas are granted to migrants who are already onshore, minimising short-term impacts on housing and infrastructure.

Final Thoughts: A Future-Focused Migration Strategy

The 2024–25 Migration Program reflects a strategic shift towards skilled migration, economic productivity, and regional workforce support. The transition to a multi-year planning model marks a significant milestone, ensuring long-term alignment with Australia's evolving economic and social needs.

As Australia refines its migration policies, the focus remains on building a resilient workforce, fostering community cohesion, and maintaining a sustainable migration intake that supports the nation’s future.

Visamigo Lawyers: Your Trusted Migration Partner

Navigating Australia’s migration pathways can be complex, and having the right legal support is crucial. Visamigo Lawyers provides reliable guidance on visa applications, compliance, and migration strategies tailored to individual needs. Whether you are seeking skilled migration, family reunification, or business-related visas, their team ensures a smooth process aligned with the latest policy changes. For more information, visit www.visamigo.com.au and take the next step towards your migration journey with confidence.

Contact Information

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Website: visamigo.com.au

DISCLAIMER: Important notice for all our social media followers as well as website readers. Content shared here by Visamigo Lawyers and its affiliates is not to be considered as immigration or legal advice. It's intended for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional guidance. This material offers general insights (accurate at the time of posting, subject to updates) and is not exhaustive. Prior to any application, it's recommended you consult an Australian Lawyer for personalised advice. Your journey matters, so ensure you're properly informed.