189 Visa changes you must know!

Australia’s New Tiered Invitation System for the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) Visa

Under the 2025–26 Migration Program, the Department of Home Affairs has introduced a tiered prioritisation model for invitations issued under the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa. This marks a fundamental shift in how invitations are allocated and who is most likely to receive one.

The new framework moves away from a purely points-driven system and instead places strong emphasis on occupation, workforce demand, and strategic migration planning.

Under the revised model, invitations are issued based on a combination of:

• Points ranking, and

• Occupation-specific ceilings, applied within each tier.

Applicants are now ranked against others in the same occupation and tier, rather than across the entire 189 pool. Invitations are issued in descending points order until the occupation ceiling for that tier is reached.

As a result, an applicant’s occupation and tier classification has become a decisive factor in whether and how quickly they may receive an invitation.

Why the Subclass 189 Invitation System Was Changed

Previously, Home Affairs applied a minimum occupation ceiling of 1,000 invitations per occupation. However, analysis showed this approach was ineffective.

Following a review of occupation fulfilment rates, Home Affairs reduced the minimum threshold to 500 invitations per occupation and introduced tier-based prioritisation.

This reform aims to:

• Preserve occupational diversity within the 189 program

• Direct invitations toward genuinely scarce skills

• Prevent oversupply in already saturated occupations

The Four Occupation Tiers Explained

The four-tier structure allows Home Affairs to manage invitations strategically across the program year. Importantly, occupations can be moved between tiers in response to changing labour market needs.

Tier 1: Highest Value Occupations

Tier 1 includes occupations critical to Australia’s long-term workforce needs. These roles typically involve:

• Very long training pathways

• Highly specialised expertise

• Sustained national demand

• Skills that are difficult to develop domestically

Most Tier 1 occupations are medical and health specialists, including nurses, cardiologists, oncologists, and other specialist medical practitioners.

Due to their strategic importance, Tier 1 occupations receive the highest weighting, with a 4.0% multiplier applied to maximise invitation opportunities.

Tier 2: High Priority Occupations

Tier 2 includes occupations that are:

• Identified as government priorities, and

• Listed under Ministerial Direction No. 105 (s499), excluding Tier 1 roles

• This tier enables Home Affairs to respond to workforce shortages driven by policy and economic demand.

Examples of Tier 2 occupations include:

• Child Care Centre Managers (ANZSCO 1341)

• Early Childhood Teachers (2411)

• Secondary School Teachers (2414)

• Special Education Teachers (2415)

• Psychologists (2723)

• Social Workers (2725)

Applicants in Tier 2 remain well positioned for invitations, particularly during targeted invitation rounds.

Tier 3: Diverse Occupations

Tier 3 consists of 121 occupations not listed in Tier 1 or Tier 2.

The purpose of Tier 3 is to:

• Select applicants with strong overall human capital

• Promote occupational diversity

• Build a workforce adaptable to future skill shortages

• Rather than focusing solely on immediate demand, Tier 3 supports Australia’s long-term economic resilience.

Tier 4: Oversupplied Occupations

Tier 4 includes occupations with persistently high volumes of Expressions of Interest (EOIs), such as:

• Accounting professionals

• ICT professionals

• Chefs

These occupations typically:

• Require higher points scores due to intense competition

• Accumulate large EOI pools

• Risk dominating invitation rounds if unmanaged

  
  

Historically, Home Affairs applied lower occupation ceilings to these roles. Under the new system, Tier 4 occupations continue to face the most restrictive invitation settings.

How Home Affairs Sets Occupation Ceilings

Occupation ceilings are determined using a combination of:

• Labour market data

• Historical invitation and visa grant rates

• Forecast workforce demand

• Overall migration program planning

This approach ensures invitation numbers align more closely with Australia’s real economic needs.

What the Tiered System Means for Subclass 189 Applicants

The introduction of occupation tiers means:

• Points alone are no longer decisive

• Occupation and tier placement are critical

• High-points applicants in Tier 4 may face longer waiting times

• Tier 1 and Tier 2 applicants may receive invitations at lower points

• Strategic EOI planning is more important than ever

• How the Department Calculates 189 Invitations

Home Affairs now applies the following formula:

189 Invitations = (Total Australian Workforce Size × Tier Percentage) − Total Grants for Other Programs

What Counts as “Other Programs”?

Before issuing 189 invitations, the Department deducts visas already granted through other pathways, including:

Employer-sponsored visas (Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme and Subclass 494 Regional Sponsored)

State-nominated visas (Subclass 190 and Subclass 491)

How Professional Migration Advice Can Help

Under the new Subclass 189 framework, professional guidance has become essential. A registered migration agent can:

• Analyse your occupation’s tier placement

• Assess realistic invitation prospects

• Advise on points strategies and alternative visa pathways

• Position your EOI to align with Home Affairs priorities

If you are considering the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa, understanding where you sit within the new tiered system is critical to maximising your chances of success.