The Migration Program 2022-23 is intended to help Australia’s economic recovery and social cohesion outcomes in the post-pandemic environment. The Migration Program 2022-23 will have a planned capacity of 160,000 spaces, with the following composition:
- Skill (109,900 positions) – This stream is intended to strengthen the economy’s productive capacity and fill skill gaps in the labor market, notably those in regional Australia.
- Family (50,000 spots) – This stream is primarily made up of Partner visas, which allow Australians to reunite with family members living abroad and offer them with avenues to citizenship.
- Partner visas will be given on a demand-driven basis beginning in 2022-23 to facilitate family reunion. This will aid in the reduction of the Partner visa pipeline and processing times for many candidates.
- For planning purposes, 40,500 Partner visas are expected for 2022-23; however, this projection is not subject to a ceiling.
- For planning purposes, 3000 child visas are predicted for 2022-23, stressing that this category is demand driven and does not have a maximum.
- Special Eligibility (100 seats) – This stream covers visas for people in unusual situations, such as permanent residents returning to Australia after a stay abroad.
Migration Program planning levels as announced as part of the 2021-22 and 2022-23 Federal Budgets
| Visa Stream | Visa Category | 2021-22 | 2022-23 |
| Skill | Employer Sponsored | 22,000 | 30,000 |
| Skilled Independent | 6,500 | 16,652 | |
| Regional | 11,200 | 25,000 | |
| State/Territory Nominated | 11,200 | 20,000 | |
| Business Innovation & Investment | 13,500 | 9,500 | |
| Global Talent (Independent) | 15,000 | 8,448 | |
| Distinguished Talent | 200 | 300 | |
| Skill Total | 79,600 | 109,900 | |
| Family | Partner* (Demand driven: estimate, not subject to a ceiling) | 72,300 | 40,500 |
| Parent | 4,500 | 6,000 | |
| Child* (Demand driven: estimate, not subject to a ceiling) | 3,000 | 3,000 | |
| Other Family | 500 | 500 | |
| Family Total | 77,300** | 50,000 | |
| Special Eligibility | 100 | 100 | |
| Total Migration Program | 160,000 | 160,000 |
Program size and composition
Between November and December 2021, the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) held extensive consultations with state and territory governments, representatives of academia, industry, unions, and community organizations to inform the 2022-23 Migration Program’s planning levels and policy settings.
As part of the 2022-23 Migration Program planning process, the Department also requested public input.
When planning the program public submissions following things are taken into account.
- economic and labor force estimates
- international research
- net overseas migration
- economic and fiscal modelling
State and Territory nominated visa categories – 2021-22* nomination allocations
Nomination allocations in the following visa categories are made available to States and Territories under the 2021-22 Migration Program settings:
- Skilled – Nominated (subclass 190)
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491)
- Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP)
Each state and territory evaluates qualified applicants based on criteria specific to their jurisdiction.
More information on the nomination requirements of each state and territory may be obtained at:
- ACT – Skilled Visa – ACT nomination and Business Migration Guidelines
- NSW – Visas and Immigration
- VIC – Live in Melbourne
- QLD – Business & Skilled Migration Queensland
- NT – Northern Territory Visa nomination eligibility
- WA – Western Australia (190 and 491 visas)
- SA – Move to South Australia
- TAS – Migration Tasmania
State and Territory nominated visa allocations
| State | Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) Visa | Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa | Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) |
| ACT | 600 | 1,400 | 30 |
| NSW | 4,000 | 3,640 | 2,200 |
| VIC | 3,500 | 750 | 1,750 |
| QLD | 1,180 | 950 | 1,400 |
| NT | 500 | 700 | 75 |
| WA | 2,100 | 1,090 | 360 |
| SA | 2,600 | 3,330 | 1,000 |
| TAS | 1,100 | 2,200 | 45 |
| Total | 15,580 | 14,060 | 6,860 |
