New 4-Tier Invite System 189 Visa

Under the 2025–26 migration program, the Department of Home Affairs has proposed a tiered prioritization model for invitations issued under the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa. This system fundamentally changes how invitations are distributed. The tier model has not been publicly published by the Department, and there has been no formal announcement; however, recent 189 invitation rounds closely reflect the patterns.

How the New Tiered Prioritisation Model Works for the Subclass 189 Visa?

Invitations Are No Longer Purely Points-Based

Rather than relying on points alone, invitations are now issued based on a combination of:

• Points ranking, and

• Occupation-specific ceilings, applied within each tier.

  
  

Applicants are ranked against others within the same occupation and tier, not across the entire pool. Invitations are then issued in order of points until the occupation ceiling for that tier is reached.

This means that an applicant’s occupation and tier classification now plays a decisive role 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, data analysis showed this approach was ineffective.

In practice:

• Smaller or highly specialised occupations rarely came close to filling the ceiling

• Oversubscribed occupations consistently dominated invitation rounds

• The system did not reflect genuine labour market shortages

Following a review of occupation fulfilment rates, Home Affairs introduced a lower minimum threshold of 500 invitations per occupation, alongside tier-based prioritisation.

This reform is designed to:

• Preserve diversity within the Subclass 189 intake

• 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 more 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 considered critical to Australia’s long-term workforce needs.

These roles typically involve:

• Very long training pathways

• Highly specialised expertise

• Strong and 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 1 - Highest Value Occupations List

Occupation	ANZSCO Code
Medical Diagnostic Radiographer	251211
Medical Radiation Therapist	251212
Nuclear Medicine Technologist	251213
Sonographer	251214
Optometrist	251411
Occupational Therapist	252411
Physiotherapist	252511
Podiatrist	252611
Audiologist	252711
Speech Pathologist	252712
General Practitioner	253111
Specialist Physician (General Medicine)	253311
Cardiologist	253312
Clinical Haematologist	253313
Medical Oncologist	253314
Endocrinologist	253315
Gastroenterologist	253316
Intensive Care Specialist	253317
Neurologist	253318
Paediatrician	253321
Renal Medicine Specialist	253322
Rheumatologist	253323
Thoracic Medicine Specialist	253324
Specialist Physicians (nec)	253399
Psychiatrist	253411
Surgeon (General)	253511
Cardiothoracic Surgeon	253512
Neurosurgeon	253513
Orthopaedic Surgeon	253514
Otorhinolaryngologist	253515
Paediatric Surgeon	253516
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon	253517
Urologist	253518
Vascular Surgeon	253521
Dermatologist	253911
Emergency Medicine Specialist	253912
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist	253913
Ophthalmologist	253914
Pathologist	253915
Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist	253917
Radiation Oncologist	253918
Medical Practitioners (nec)	253999
Midwife	254111
Nurse Practitioner	254411
Registered Nurse (Aged Care)	254412
Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)	254413
Registered Nurse (Community Health)	254414
Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)	254415
Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability)	254416
Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation)	254417
Registered Nurse (Medical)	254418
Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)	254421
Registered Nurse (Mental Health)	254422
Registered Nurse (Perioperative)	254423
Registered Nurse (Surgical)	254424
Registered Nurse (Paediatrics)	254425
Registered Nurses (nec)	254499

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 remain responsive to workforce shortages driven by policy and economic demand.

Key Tier 2 sectors include:

• Health

• Education

• Other nationally significant industries

  
  

Tier 2 - High Priority Occupation List

Occupation	ANZSCO Code
Child Care Centre Managers	1341
Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers	2411
Secondary School Teachers	2414
Special Education Teachers	2415
Psychologists	2723
Social Workers	2725

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

Tier 3: Diverse Occupations

Tier 3 contains 121 occupations that are 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 capable of adapting to future skill shortages

Rather than focusing only on immediate shortages, Tier 3 supports Australia’s long-term economic resilience.

Tier 3 - Diverse Occupations List

Occupation	ANZSCO Code
Construction Project Manager	133111
Engineering Manager	133211
Nursing Clinical Director	134212
Primary Health Organisation Manager	134213
Welfare Centre Manager	134214
Arts Administrator or Manager	139911
Environmental Manager	139912
Dancer or Choreographer	211112
Music Director	211212
Musician (Instrumental)	211213
Artistic Director	212111
Actuary	224111
Statistician	224113
Economist	224311
Land Economist	224511
Valuer	224512
Management Consultant	224711
Architect	232111
Landscape Architect	232112
Surveyor	232212
Cartographer	232213
Other Spatial Scientist	232214
Chemical Engineer	233111
Materials Engineer	233112
Civil Engineer	233211
Geotechnical Engineer	233212
Quantity Surveyor	233213
Structural Engineer	233214
Transport Engineer	233215
Electrical Engineer	233311
Electronics Engineer	233411
Industrial Engineer	233511
Mechanical Engineer	233512
Production or Plant Engineer	233513
Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum)	233611
Petroleum Engineer	233612
Aeronautical Engineer	233911
Agricultural Engineer	233912
Biomedical Engineer	233913
Engineering Technologist	233914
Environmental Engineer	233915
Naval Architect	233916
Engineering Professionals (nec)	233999
Agricultural Consultant	234111
Agricultural Scientist	234112
Forester	234113
Chemist	234211
Food Technologist	234212
Environmental Consultant	234312
Environmental Research Scientist	234313
Environmental Scientist (nec)	234399
Geophysicist	234412
Hydrogeologist	234413
Life Scientist (General)	234511
Biochemist	234513
Biotechnologist	234514
Botanist	234515
Marine Biologist	234516
Microbiologist	234517
Zoologist	234518
Life Scientists (nec)	234599
Medical Laboratory Scientist	234611
Veterinarian	234711
Conservator	234911
Metallurgist	234912
Meteorologist	234913
Physicist	234914
Natural and Physical Science Professionals (nec)	234999
University Lecturer	242111
Orthotist or Prosthetist	251912
Chiropractor	252111
Osteopath	252112
Barrister	271111
Solicitor	271311
Civil Engineering Draftsperson	312211
Civil Engineering Technician	312212
Electrical Engineering Draftsperson	312311
Electrical Engineering Technician	312312
Automotive Electrician	321111
Motor Mechanic (General)	321211
Diesel Motor Mechanic	321212
Motorcycle Mechanic	321213
Small Engine Mechanic	321214
Sheetmetal Trades Worker	322211
Metal Fabricator	322311
Pressure Welder	322312
Welder (First Class)	322313
Fitter (General)	323211
Fitter and Turner	323212
Fitter Welder	323213
Metal Machinist (First Class)	323214
Locksmith	323313
Panelbeater	324111
Bricklayer	331111
Stonemason	331112
Carpenter and Joiner	331211
Carpenter	331212
Joiner	331213
Painting Trades Worker	332211
Glazier	333111
Fibrous Plasterer	333211
Solid Plasterer	333212
Wall and Floor Tiler	333411
Plumber (General)	334111
Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber	334112
Drainer	334113
Gasfitter	334114
Roof Plumber	334115
Electrician (General)	341111
Electrician (Special Class)	341112
Lift Mechanic	341113
Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic	342111
Technical Cable Jointer	342212
Electronic Equipment Trades Worker	342313
Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (General)	342314
Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (Special Class)	342315
Horse Trainer	361112
Cabinetmaker	394111
Boat Builder and Repairer	399111
Shipwright	399112
Tennis Coach	452316
Footballer	452411

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 has applied lower occupation ceilings to these roles to prevent oversupply. Under the new model, Tier 4 occupations continue to face the most restrictive invitation settings.

Tier 4 - Occupations List

Occupation	ANZSCO Code
Accountant (General)	221111
Management Accountant	221112
Taxation Accountant	221113
External Auditor	221213
Internal Auditor	221214
ICT Business Analyst	261111
Systems Analyst	261112
Multimedia Specialist	261211
Analyst Programmer	261311
Developer Programmer	261312
Software Engineer	261313
Software and Applications Programmers (nec)	261399
ICT Security Specialist	262112
Computer Network and Systems Engineer	263111
Telecommunications Engineer	263311
Telecommunications Network Engineer	263312
Radio Communications Technician	313211
Telecommunications Field Engineer	313212
Telecommunications Network Planner	313213
Telecommunications Technical Officer or Technologist	313214
Chef	351311

How Home Affairs Sets Occupation Ceilings

Occupation ceilings are calculated using a combination of:

• Labour market data

• Historical invitation and visa grant rates

• Forecast workforce demand

• Overall migration program planning

  
  

These factors ensure invitation numbers align 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

The New 189 Invitation Allocation Formula

How the Department Calculates 189 Invitations

The Department has introduced a ceiling for each occupation using the following structure:

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

What Counts as “Other Programs”?

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

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

• State sponsored visas (State sponsored 190 and state sponsored regional 491)

This means these visas are effectively prioritised ahead of the 189 Skilled Independent visa.

The Impact of the 189 Skilled Independent Visa Changes

Why Some Occupations Receive Zero Invitations

The practical impact of this reform is significant:

• If visas granted through employer-sponsored and state-sponsored programs exceed the calculated ceiling, no further 189 invitations are issued for that occupation for the rest of the financial year.

• Employer-sponsored visas, such as the ENS, are uncapped and can consume most or all of an occupation’s allocation.

• Occupations with high employer sponsorship uptake, particularly IT and Accounting, may receive little to no 189 invitations despite strong demand.

This explains why many traditionally popular occupations have seen sharp reductions or complete pauses in 189 invitation rounds.

How Professional Migration Advice Can Help

Under the new Subclass 189 framework, professional guidance is 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.

If you are unsure how these changes affect your occupation or which visa pathway offers the best chance of success, book a consultation with our migration team

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