Reviewed by John Hu, Principal Consultant at John Hu Migration Consulting.
Quick answer: Australia's 2026-27 permanent Migration Program stays at 185,000 places. Employer-sponsored places rise from 44,000 to 58,040, Skilled Independent (subclass 189) from 16,900 to 21,090, while regional places (subclasses 491 and 494 combined) fall to 14,110. If you already have an employer willing to sponsor you, 482 to 186 may be worth considering. If not, your occupation, points and age will determine the skilled migration options. Last updated: 6 November 2026
Employer-sponsored places are up and regional places are down in Australia's 2026-27 program. For Hong Kong applicants, the best route may be shifting.
What changed in the 2026-27 program?
| Category | 2025-26 | 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Total permanent program | 185,000 (maintained) | 185,000 |
| Employer-sponsored | 44,000 | 58,040 |
| Skilled Independent (189) | 16,900 | 21,090 |
| Regional (491 and 494 combined) | n/a | 14,110 (reported cut of about 57%) |
The 2026-27 program year began on 1 July 2026. State and territory nomination settings are being published progressively.
If you have a sponsor, should you go from 482 to 186?
The 186 Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream generally requires at least 2 years of eligible full-time sponsored employment within the 3 years before applying, and applicants are generally under 45. Nomination salary must meet the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT), which is A$79,423. Government application charges for the main applicant are A$6,140 for the 186 and A$4,015 for the 482. The move from 482 to 186 is not automatic. See482 to 186 PR: 2026 thresholds, fees and requirements.
No employer: is the 189 still realistic?
The 189 needs no employer or state sponsor, and places rise to 21,090. However, invitations are issued by round and occupation, and actual invitation scores are usually higher than the minimum pass mark and vary by occupation. The first 189 round of 2026-27 took place on 15 October 2026; reports at the time said the Department had not published the number of invitations. For the latest allocations see189 quota 2026-27.
Regional places are down: what about the 491?
The 491 and 494 share 14,110 places, a clear drop. If you are considering a regional route, watch each state's latest nomination settings closely.
How should Hong Kong applicants choose?
| Your situation | Direction to assess first |
|---|---|
| An Australian employer is willing to sponsor you | 482, planning a later move to 186 |
| No employer, but competitive occupation and points | Skilled Independent (189) or state nomination (190 / 491) |
| Willing to live and work regionally | Regional (491), watching places and state policy |
This is a general guide. Occupation, age, English and work experience differ, so each case needs assessment.
FAQ
Q1: How many employer-sponsored places are there in 2026-27? A: 58,040, up from 44,000 in 2025-26.
Q2: How long must I work before moving from 482 to 186? A: Generally at least 2 years of eligible full-time sponsored employment within the 3 years before applying, plus salary and age conditions.
Q3: How many 189 places are there in 2026-27? A: 21,090, up from 16,900.
Q4: How much did regional places fall? A: 491 and 494 combined are 14,110, a reported cut of about 57%.
Sources
Australian Department of Home Affairs: 2026–27 Permanent Migration Program planning levels and salary requirements for sponsored workers
Mondaq:Employer-sponsored Visas Take Priority In 2026/27 Migration Program As Regional Allocations Decline
JHM:482/186 income thresholds and fees,Australian skilled migration
Book a free consultation if you are unsure whether employer sponsorship or skilled migration suits you.
📞 Hotline: (852) 3568 1436
💬 WhatsApp: (852) 9178 8523
📍 19F, Chinachem Century Tower, 178 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
👉 Free assessment: https://jhmigration.com/contact-us/
Individual outcomes, processing times and subsequent status arrangements depend on the applicant's background, the project, document completeness and official requirements. The cases above are for reference only and do not constitute a guarantee of approval or investment advice.