The Migration Program for the 2022-23 has retained the same number of visa places when compared to the previous two years, however there has been a significant shift in the allocation of places given to the Skilled and Family Streams. This reverts back to similar allocations seen pre-COVID-19. During COVID-19 there had been a significant reduction in skilled visas with an emphasis on the partner stream. Below is an analysis of how the visa ceilings (i.e. the maximum number of visas that can be issued in each category) have changed across the different visa categories over recent years.

Within the skilled visas the 2022-23 Migration Plan has again seen a shift in emphasis towards allowing the States/Territories more control over their selection of skilled migrants moving to their state. In addition to maintaining the Global Talent stream to target highly skilled migrants in key Technology fields of interest.

As can be seen in the table there is a reduction of 31,800 places available to the Partner visa options, these have been reverted back to the Skilled visa streams (as per pre-COVID-19).

• Within the Skilled visas we can expect to see continued competition for the Skilled Independent 189 visas. With higher than the minimum number of points required and potentially longer waiting periods required to receive an invitation to apply for a visa.
• Overall the States and Territories will be able to select the occupations and criteria that they consider meet the needs of their region, towards invitations for the State Sponsored 190 and 491 visas.
• Within the Family stream the reduction on the number of places available to Partner visas takes these back to previous quotas. There has been an increase in the number of places for Parent visas, but these are still lower than pre-COVID-19 quotas.