The Department of Home Affairs has formally introduced a four-tier prioritisation model for invitations issued under the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa. This marks a significant shift in how invitations are managed and signals a more targeted, strategic approach to Australia’s skilled migration intake.
Below, we explain how the new system works, why it has been introduced, and what it means for prospective applicants.
How the Tiered Prioritisation Model Works
Under the new model, invitations in the Subclass 189 program are issued based on:
- Points ranking, and
- Occupation-specific ceilings, applied within each tier.
Candidates are ranked by points within their occupation and tier, and invitations are issued until the occupation ceiling is reached.
Why the Change?
Previously, Home Affairs applied a minimum occupation ceiling of 1,000 invitations. In practice, this proved ineffective because:
- Many smaller or highly specialised occupations never approached the ceiling.
- Oversubscribed occupations continued to dominate invitation rounds.
Following analysis of occupation fulfilment rates, Home Affairs has now introduced a lower minimum threshold of 500 invitations per occupation.
This change is designed to:
- Protect the diversity of the Subclass 189 intake
- Ensure invitations go to applicants with skills that are genuinely scarce in Australia
- Prevent oversupply in already saturated occupations
The Four Tiers Explained
The tier system allows Home Affairs to manage invitations more strategically across the program year. Importantly, occupations within each tier can be amended in response to emerging labour market needs.
The full list of occupations by tier is set out in Attachment B – Occupation Composition of the Tiers (Home Affairs).
Tier 1: Highest Value Occupations
Tier 1 represents the highest priority occupations for Australia’s long-term skills needs.
Key characteristics include:
- Very long training times
- Highly specialised skill sets
- Strong, long-term projected demand
- Skills that are difficult to replace or train domestically
Most occupations in this tier are highly trained medical specialists, such as:
- Cardiologists
- Oncologists
- Other specialist medical practitioners
Due to their importance, Tier 1 occupations receive the highest weighting, with a 4.0% multiplier applied to maximise intake.
Tier 2: High Priority Occupations
Tier 2 captures occupations that are:
- Government priorities, and
- Identified in Ministerial Direction No. 105 (s499), excluding those already in Tier 1.
This tier allows Home Affairs to remain responsive to policy changes and workforce demands.
Occupations currently in Tier 2 include key roles in:
- Health
- Education
- Other nationally significant sectors
Applicants in Tier 2 remain strongly positioned for invitation, particularly during targeted invitation rounds.
Tier 3: Diverse Occupations
Tier 3 includes 121 occupations that are not listed in Tiers 1 or 2.
The purpose of this tier is to:
- Select candidates with high levels of human capital
- Promote diversity across industries
- Build a workforce with strong long-term adaptability
This tier supports Australia’s ability to respond to future and emerging skill shortages, rather than only current ones.
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 often:
- Require higher points scores due to intense competition
- Attract additional points through occupation-specific factors
- Risk dominating invitation rounds if left unchecked
Historically, Home Affairs has applied lower occupation ceilings to these roles to:
- Prevent oversupply
- Avoid a single occupation group forming the bulk of the migration intake
Under the new model, Tier 4 occupations continue to face the most restrictive invitation settings.
How Home Affairs Calculates Occupation Ceilings
Home Affairs determines occupation ceilings using a combination of:
- Labour market data
- Historical invitation and visa grant rates
- Projected workforce demand
- Program-level planning considerations
What This Means for Skilled Migration Applicants
The introduction of the tiered system means that:
- Points alone are no longer the full story
- Your occupation — and its tier — now plays a critical role
- Some high-points candidates may wait longer if they are in Tier 4 occupations
- Applicants in Tier 1 and Tier 2 roles may receive invitations at lower points thresholds
Strategic EOI planning has never been more important.
How VisaEnvoy Can Help
At VisaEnvoy, we:
- Analyse your occupation and tier placement
- Assess realistic invitation prospects under the new system
- Advise on points strategies and alternative visa pathways
- Help you position your application to align with Home Affairs priorities
If you are considering the Subclass 189 visa, professional advice is essential under this new framework.
Book a Consultation with VisaEnvoy today to understand where you stand — and how to improve your chances.
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