In December 2025, a Freedom of Information document revealed new insight into how the Department of Home Affairs is managing invitations under the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189).
While the Department has not formally announced changes, the internal policy minute from May 2025 outlines what is now known as the Occupation Tier System for Subclass 189 Visa invitations.
According to the FOI document, eligible skilled occupations are divided into four tiers.
These tiers rank occupations based on:
Labour market demand
Length and complexity of training
Government workforce priorities
Supply of EOIs in SkillSelect
Tier 1 occupations receive the highest priority for invitation, while Tier 4 occupations receive the lowest.
It is important to clarify that this system is an internal planning tool. It does not amend the Migration Act or the Migration Regulations. However, the Occupation Tier System for Subclass 189 Visa provides practical insight into why some occupations receive invitations faster and at lower points than others.
Scarcity-based occupations with long training pathways and strong long-term national demand.
Examples include:
Medical specialists
General practitioners
Psychiatrists
Surgeons
Midwives
Registered nurses
Physiotherapists
These occupations may receive invitations more consistently and sometimes at comparatively lower points.
Occupations aligned with government priorities and Ministerial Directions.
Examples include:
Early childhood teachers
Secondary school teachers
Special education teachers
Psychologists
Social workers
These occupations remain highly competitive but continue to receive strong invitation outcomes.
A broad mix of skilled occupations to maintain workforce diversity.
Examples include:
Engineers
Architects
Scientists
Trades occupations
Lawyers
Technicians
Veterinarians
University lecturers
Invitation timing can vary depending on ceiling allocation and demand levels.
Occupations considered oversupplied with high EOI volumes.
Examples include:
Accountants
Auditors
ICT occupations
Telecommunications roles
Chefs
Applicants in Tier 4 often experience longer wait times, higher effective points thresholds, and smaller occupation ceilings.
The Occupation Tier System for Subclass 189 Visa helps explain why:
Two applicants with similar points receive different outcomes
Some occupations receive invitations at lower points
Others remain waiting despite competitive scores
Relying solely on subclass 189 may therefore be risky for certain occupations.
For example, many ICT, accounting and chef occupations fall within Tier 4. This means fewer invitations are issued annually under subclass 189 for those occupations.
A shift toward quarterly invitation rounds, with flexibility for additional rounds when needed.
This aligns with recent patterns observed in 2025.
The Department intends to improve communication around:
Invitation timing
Program priorities
Selection methodology
The goal is to reduce uncertainty and attract high-value candidates.
Occupation ceilings may be recalculated using tier-based multipliers.
Importantly, visa grants under subclasses 186, 190 and 491 may count toward the overall ceiling before subclass 189 invitations are issued.
This significantly impacts planning strategy.
Veterinarians
University lecturers
Invitation timing can vary depending on ceiling allocation and demand levels.
SkillSelect data will be used more actively to respond to emerging labour market needs.
This allows flexibility while maintaining diversity across Tier 3 occupations.
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Unit 7, 242-244 Caroline Springs Blvd
Caroline Springs VIC 3023
Unit 7, 242-244 Caroline Springs Blvd
Caroline Springs VIC 3023
