2020-21 Migration Intake

When will the Government announce the size and the composition for the 2020-21 Migration Program?

In the COVID-19 recovery period, migration will be a key component of Australia’s economic

recovery. The Australian Government is considering how best to shape the Migration Program to drive economic growth and support job creation during this post recovery phase. This will take into consideration the economic conditions in Australia, future skill needs, changes in the labour market and the population objectives of states and territories.Until otherwise advised, the existing 2019-20 Migration Program settings will continue to remain in place. This means the 2020-21 planning ceiling will be retained at 160,000 places, the level set for the 2019-20

Migration Program.
108,682 places for the Skill stream.
47,732 places for the Family stream.
236 places for the Special Eligibility stream.
3,350 places for Child visas

Will States and Territories be given any nominations in the 2020-21 Migration Program, or are the State/Territory skilled nominated programs and Business Innovation and Investment Program closed indefinitely?
The State and Territory nominated visa programs will play an important part in Australia’s economic recovery and continue to be a part of the Migration Program.The Australian Government is considering how best to shape the Migration Program into the future to drive economic growth and support job creation. Nominations will be made available to States and Territories in line with these considerations, in the following categories:

Skilled – Nominated (subclass 190).
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491).
Business Innovation and Investment Program.

What invitation rounds for Skilled Independent (subclass 189) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (Family Sponsored) (subclass 491) continue to be run each month?

The Government is closely monitoring migration and visa settings to ensure they are consistent with public health measures, are flexible and do not displace job opportunities for Australians so that Australia can deal with the immediate and post recovery impacts of COVID-19. Targeted invitation rounds have continued each month and prioritise skills which are in critical need and will aid Australia’s economic recovery.

What changes will be made to the Migration Program in 2020-21?
Until otherwise advised, the existing 2019-20 Migration Program settings, including the program size and composition, will remain in place. The Government’s current focus is dealing with the immediate health and economic impacts of COVID-19.

Why did the Government decide to retain the 2019-20 Migration Program settings?
The Migration Program is generally announced each year as part of the Federal Budget in May. Due to the Government’s focus on responding to the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis, the 2020-21 Budget was deferred for consideration until October 2020

Will stakeholders be consulted ahead of any potential changes to the 2020-21 Migration Program? The Department plans to proceed with engagement with State and Territory governments regarding their nomination allocations for the 2020-21 Migration Program. Relevant stakeholders will be advised if any further decisions are made regarding program settings for the 2020-21 Migration Program.