Foreign-born population – 2025 | 32.9% of the population | Main countries of birth: United Kingdom (13%), India (11%), China (10%) |
Size: 8.8 million, 56% women | Evolution since 2015: +31% |
International Migration Outlook 2026
50th Edition
In 2025, Australia received 234 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status), ‑2.2% compared to 2024. This figure comprises 12% immigrants benefitting from free mobility, 26% labour migrants, 53% family members (including accompanying family) and 9% humanitarian migrants. Around 158 000 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 312 000 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants.
India, China and the Philippines were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2024. Among the top 15 countries of origin, Sri Lanka registered the strongest increase (2 900) and China the largest decrease (‑8 800) in flows to Australia compared to the previous year.
In 2025, the number of first asylum applicants decreased by ‑7.2%, to reach around 23 000. The majority of applicants came from India (3 200), Indonesia (1 600) and Fiji (1 200). The largest increase since 2024 concerned nationals of India (1 200) and the largest decrease nationals of Viet Nam (‑1 000). Of the 63 000 decisions taken in 2025, 13% were positive.
Emigration of Australian citizens to OECD countries decreased by ‑9% in 2024, to 20 000. Approximately 24% of this group migrated to New Zealand, 17% to the United States and 16% to the United Kingdom.
Net Overseas Migration (NOM) is now forecast to be less than half this post-pandemic peak by 2026‑2027. This decline is supported by Australian Government policies to strengthen the integrity of the migration system and better manage the overall volume of migrants. The Australian Government recently announced a number of migration policy changes as part of its annual Budget cycle, which will place downward pressure on NOM.
In November 2025, Australia introduced revised processing priorities for offshore student visa applications. The arrangements retained a provider-based prioritisation framework informed by allocations and integrity considerations, with the aim of supporting a more balanced distribution of international students across education providers and locations. The arrangements prioritise the order in which applications are processed; they do not impose a formal cap on international student numbers.
Australia also continued to implement measures under the Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Act 2024. These measures strengthen the government’s capacity to address migrant worker exploitation and employer non-compliance, including through sanctions and restrictions on employers’ access to labour migration programmes. Workplace justice arrangements continued to allow eligible temporary migrants who report workplace exploitation to remain lawfully in Australia while pursuing workplace claims and remedies.
In March 2026, Australia made new legislative instruments to strengthen the regulation of registered migration agents. The measures entered into force on 1 April 2026 and enhanced continuing professional development requirements, including mandatory training on ethical standards and obligations under the Code of Conduct. They also updated qualification requirements for new entrants to the profession. The reforms support oversight of the migration advice sector by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA).
In May 2026, the Australian Government set the planning level for the 2026‑2027 Permanent Migration Program at 185 000 places, unchanged from 2025‑2026. Of the total, 132 240 places were allocated to skilled migrants and their families, with the remaining 52 760 places to support the reunification of Australian families. The programme is designed to identify, attract and enable migrants with skills needed in the Australian economy while supporting family reunion.
The government expects around 70% of places in the 2026‑2027 Permanent Migration Program to be delivered to people already in Australia. Prioritising eligible onshore applicants is intended to support timely decisions and transitions to permanent residence, while helping employers retain workers with skills required in the Australian labour market.
In July 2026, income thresholds for employer-sponsored skilled migration pathways were indexed in line with average annual wage increases across the Australian economy. The revised Core Skills Income Threshold and Specialist Skills Income Threshold applies to new nominations under the Skills in Demand visa and relevant permanent employer-sponsored visa categories. Indexation is intended to maintain the thresholds’ alignment with Australian labour market conditions and to support appropriate salary outcomes for sponsored workers.
For further information: www.homeaffairs.gov.au/
