Australia is entering 2026 with multiculturalism reaffirmed as central to the national story, while a tightening but highly targeted migration program pushes states such as the ACT and Tasmania to use their skilled visa quotas to attract urgently needed workers in health, trades and regional roles. New federal briefings emphasis that diversity, social cohesion and economic prosperity now rise or fall together and that the country cannot meet labor shortages without migrants and refugees who feel they belong.​

Multiculturalism at the center

Federal messaging going into January 2026 reiterates that multiculturalism is
“fundamental” to Australia’s identity, with ministers stressing that migrant families
have underpinned decades of economic success and helped build a richer social
and cultural life. Recent parliamentary and policy papers again link well managed
migration, inclusion and strong social cohesion, arguing that public confidence in the system is essential for unity in a more diverse nation.​

Surveys and sector statements show broad support for diversity, with around four in five Australians agreeing multiculturalism has been good for the country and that migrants are positive for the economy. Community advocates are urging the federal government to turn this support into concrete action through the new national multicultural framework and by embedding migration settings within a wider strategy for belonging and participation.​

National migration reset in 2025–26

Australia’s 2025–26 permanent migration program remains capped at 185,000
places, but the balance within that cap is shifting decisively towards skilled migration, which receives about 132,200 places roughly 70 to 71 per cent of the total. Federal briefings to premiers and recent explainer coverage describe this as a “major reset” focused less on cutting numbers and more on reshaping who comes, with priority for key sectors such as health, aged care, clean energy engineering and advanced manufacturing.​​

At the same time, the Core Skills Income Threshold has risen above about $76,000 and is set to be indexed again from 1 July 2026, while English language requirements and a consolidated Core Skills Occupation List are tightening the system for many
lower paid roles. Analysts say this makes the system more selective but also increases pressure on regional employers, hospitals and infrastructure projects, which now depend heavily on state and territory visa nominations to secure critical staff.​

Skilled migration shortages and demand

Business groups and migration specialists warn that Australia is facing persistent
shortages of skilled workers, particularly in health and allied health, education,
construction trades and some regional service industries. Commentators note that
factors such as an ageing population, long training pipelines and rapid infrastructure expansion mean local supply alone cannot meet demand in these areas.​​

Sector briefings going into 2026 emphasis that the new, more targeted migration settings reward applicants who align with priority occupations and can demonstrate clear labor market value, rather than those trying a “trialanderror” approach to visa applications. For multicultural communities, this shift raises both challenges and opportunities: the pathway is narrower, but skilled professionals in shortage fields may find better defined routes to permanent residency and regional settlement.​​

ACT: 1,600 skilled places in 2025–26

The Australian Capital Territory has confirmed a total allocation of 1,600 places for
the 2025–26 skilled visa nomination program, split evenly between the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visas. Guidance for applicants describes this as a significant opportunity for skilled migrants already living and working in Canberra, as well as selected offshore candidates able to meet the ACT’s points based criteria and occupation needs.​

Specialist updates indicate that the ACT’s allocation sits within a broader national pool of 20,350 state and territory nomination places across the 2025–26 program year. For overseas born professionals including those from multicultural communities already studying, working or running businesses in Canberra ACT nomination can offer a pathway to permanency, provided they can show ties to the territory, employ ability and alignment with the skills list.​

Tasmania: full allocation and weekly invitations

Tasmania has received its full 2025–26 skilled migration nomination allocation, with 1,200 places for the subclass 190 visa and 650 for the subclass 491, bringing its total to 1,850 state nomination places. Migration Tasmania has begun issuing weekly invitations to apply for nomination and is publishing round by round updates on how many Registrations of Interest are being invited, their lowest scores and remaining places.​

Official program notices and migration agent summaries highlight that Tasmania is
giving strong priority to health, allied health and teaching, with additional focus on
regional skills and certain trades where local labor is scarce. For migrants already
working in Tasmania including skilled graduates and established residents from
multicultural backgrounds consistent employment, salary levels and alignment with
highdemand ANZSCO groups can significantly improve nomination prospects