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Permanent migration

​Australia's permanent Migration Program incorporates economic and family migration and is the main pathway to permanent residence. It includes the Skill stream, Family stream and Special Eligibility visas. The only other way to obtain permanent residence is on humanitarian grounds.

Skill stream visas

The Skill stream is designed for workers who have the skills, qualifications and entrepreneurship most needed in the Australian economy. There are seven components: 

  1. Business Innovation and Investment

  2. Distinguished Talent

  3. Employer Sponsored

  4. Global Talent (Independent)

  5. Regional

  6. Skilled Independent

  7. State/Territory Nominated.

Family and Child stream visas

The Family stream allows the permanent migration of close family members, of Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens. It focuses on partners and parents, but also provides the opportunity for additional family members, such as aged dependent relatives, carers, remaining relatives and orphan relatives, to join their family in Australia.

Child visas allow the permanent migration of children, of Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens. The Child visa comprises two categories, namely Child and Adoption visas.

Special Eligibility visas

Special Eligibility visas allow former residents and certain people who served in the Australian Defence Force to live in Australia as permanent residents.

See Australia's permanent migration outcome—the Migration Program, 2021​–​22​ for more information on the size and composition of the Skill stream, Family stream and Special Eligibility for the 2021—22​ Migration Program.

The graph below shows the change in the permanent Migration Program over the past 10 years.

Graph shows the change in the size and composition of the Skill Stream, Family Stream and Special Eligibility in the Migration Programme permanent migration outcomes over 10 years (2012-2013 - 2021-2022)  

Source: Department of Home Affairs

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