The Migration program is designed to achieve a range of economic and social outcomes. The program is set annually, with the total places available capped at a ceiling of 160,000 for 2020-21. The total program is broken down into the following streams:
Skill – designed to improve the productive capacity of the economy and fill skill shortages in the labour market, including those in regional Australia. In 2020-21, the Skill stream has 79,600 places allocated.
Family – is predominately made up of Partner visas, enabling Australians to reunite with family members from overseas, and provide them with pathways to citizenship (77,300 places in 2020-21).
Special Eligibility – this covers visas for those in special circumstances. This can include permanent residents returning to Australia after a period away, and is the smallest stream (100 places in 2020-21).
At least 3,000 Child places will be available in 2020-21.
