Australia’s Department of Home Affairs has, through documents released under the Freedom of Information Act, disclosed for the first time the occupation ceilings and usage figures for the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa for the 2025–26 financial year. The data shows that several occupations previously regarded as popular migration pathways — including chefs, accountants, motor mechanics and civil engineers — have not been allocated any places under the 189 visa category this year.
The Subclass 189 visa is one of the primary pathways for skilled migration. Late last year, the Department introduced reforms to the system, establishing a four-tier occupational priority structure and occupation ceilings to allocate invitations in a more systematic manner. Under the new classification, Tier One covers occupations facing acute and long-term shortages, while Tier Four includes roles considered oversupplied.
The documents indicate that the occupation with the largest allocation this financial year is Tier One “Registered Nurse,” with 13,929 places available. Of these, 3,539 have been granted to date, leaving more than 10,000 remaining. Family doctors and resident medical officers, also classified under Tier One, have a combined allocation of 3,623 places. Secondary school teachers, listed under Tier Two, have been allocated 3,219 places. Physiotherapists, occupational therapists and early childhood teachers also retain significant remaining quotas.
Migration advisers said the new system has made invitation rounds more targeted, with recent invitations concentrated largely in the healthcare and education sectors. For applicants in occupations that have not been allocated places this year, advisers recommend considering alternative pathways such as the Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa or employer-sponsored visas.
Separately, recent market speculation suggested the government may remove Perth from the “regional area” classification. An immigration lawyer said he had not heard of any such plan and believes there is currently insufficient justification for a change. In response to inquiries, the Department of Home Affairs stated that no decision has been made regarding the definition of regional areas, although a policy review remains underway.