Under Australian migration law, visa subclass 189 offers permanent residency, allowing you to reside, study, and pursue employment in the country. The Department of Home Affairs' recent trends suggest that a tier-based system for subclass 189 occupation priority is being followed, and certain occupations are prioritised based on workforce needs and government direction. Understanding the tiers is key to preparing strategically for skilled migration visas. If you are seeking employment through this stream, here is everything you need to know about the Australia 189 visa tier system.
What Is the SC189 Occupation Tier System?
The skilled independent visa tiers for SC189 rank eligible skilled occupations based on two critical factors: their value to the Australian community and the local skill shortages for them. The system has four tiers, and invitation rounds now depend on where the occupation stands among those tiers, instead of just on the points you have scored during a skills assessment.
How the SC189 Tier System Works
This four-tier model works on the logic that occupations requiring higher training time and with more importance to the Australian community must be prioritised first. Each tier determines how important an occupation is, and the more important it is, the higher the likelihood of receiving an invitation.
Key Factors Used to Assign Tiers
When assigning tiers to an occupation, according to migration agents, the Department of Home Affairs will typically consider factors like the following:
- How critical is the local skills shortage for that particular occupation
- If it requires a longer period for specialised education or training (such as 5-10 years for surgeons)
- Concrete data from government sources regarding occupation ceilings
Shift from Points to Priority-Based Selection
Previously, occupation selection was on the basis of points scored from a skills assessment by a relevant assessing authority. The minimum eligibility threshold for an invitation is 65, and anyone scoring higher had a better chance of getting invited for their nominated occupation. But now, selection will majorly depend on occupation priority, not just points alone.
Overview of SC189 Occupation Tiers (Tier 1 to Tier 4)
Here is a quick overview of what each tier entails for subclass 189:
Detailed Breakdown of Each Tier
To better understand what each tier involves, here is an in-depth breakdown:
Tier 1 – Highest Priority Occupations
- Occupations that contribute directly to the Australian economy, public needs, and community health.
- Occupations requiring specialised education programs, long training periods have long-term demand.
- Examples: Medical specialists, general medicine practitioners, registered nurses, and surgeons.
Tier 2 – High-Priority Occupations
- Occupations with Ministerial Direction (No. 105) recognition and government priorities, typically less critical than those in Tier 1.
- Examples: Early childhood teachers, secondary school teachers, psychologists, and social workers.
Tier 3 – Moderate Priority Occupations
- Medium-priority occupations important for maintaining skills diversity.
- Examples: Scientists, lawyers, architects, and technicians.
Tier 4 – Lowest Priority Occupations
- Oversupplied, general skilled occupations with a critically high volume of EOIs received every year.
- Examples: Accountants, chefs, ICT professionals.
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Occupation Ceilings & Tier Multipliers
Occupation ceilings have been a long-standing part of SC189 visa invitations. However, the new tier system now has multipliers that help the Department of Home Affairs determine the occupation ceiling for any given occupation, which ultimately affects how many candidates can be invited for it.
What Are Occupation Ceilings?
Occupation ceilings refer to the maximum number of invitations that can be sent for an occupation. The Department of Home Affairs uses tier multipliers to determine this ceiling. The total number of workers already in that occupation (received from government data) is multiplied by the tier multiplier percentage to determine the ceiling. Hence, higher the multiplier, higher the number of invitations.
Tier-Based Allocation System
Why SC189 Occupation Tiers Matter
Impact on Invitation Chances
The shift to this tier-based system means selection now depends on occupation priority, and skilled workers with lower scores can receive invitations if their occupation is at a higher tier. For instance, if your nominated occupation falls on Tier 3, your chances of getting an invitation are significantly reduced due to the low priority and occupation ceiling, even if your points score is higher than a Tier 2 applicant's.
Impact on Required Points
While the required points remain the same, the focus now shifts to occupation importance. Therefore, if you are planning to move through SC189, you must evaluate which tier your occupation falls on and explore other, more suitable, visa pathways.
What If Your Occupation Is in a Lower Tier?
This tier-based system will inevitably be more challenging for applicants seeking employment in the lower tiers. Here is everything to consider:
Challenges for Tier 3 & Tier 4 Applicants
- Tier 3 and 4 applicants may need to wait longer for invitations, as their occupations are deemed less critical.
- If their occupation reaches its ceiling, they may not receive an invitation until the next invitation rounds commence.
- Longer waiting periods mean there's a risk of their Skills Assessments or English tests expiring.
Alternative Pathways
- Skilled nominated visa (SC190)
- Employer nomination scheme (SC186) visa
- Skills in demand (SC482) visa
- Skilled work regional (provisional) visa (SC491)
Latest SC189 Invitation Trends (2025–2026)
The latest invitation rounds for SC189 have shown the following trends:
- Registered nurses continue to be one of the most invited occupations.
- Healthcare and teaching occupations are still deemed some of the most critical occupations to fulfil.
- While onshore applicants remain the priority, invitations for offshore applicants are increasing slightly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these pitfalls to ensure a seamless visa journey:
- Lodging your SC189 EOI without evaluating your occupation tier beforehand.
- Assuming your EOI documents, such as English tests or assessment test, are still valid, even though they have expired.
- Not consulting a qualified immigration agent to thoroughly understand the SC189 visa obligations.
Tips to Improve Your SC189 Invitation Chances
When proceeding with the SC189 pathway, here are some vital tips to improve your chances:
Practical Strategies
- Points still matter. Therefore, aim to maximise your points, especially if your occupation is in the lower tiers.
- If you have a partner with a skills assessment in a Tier 1 or 2 occupation, use them when applying.
- Ensure all your documentation is up-to-date and valid before lodging your EOI.
Strategic Migration Planning
Proceeding with qualified guidance and strategic planning is key to ensuring that you have the best invitation chances. This will help you know whether you need to lodge EOIs for multiple subclasses, if your points are high enough based on occupation tiers, and what the occupation ceilings mean for your chances.
How Australian Migration Agents Can Help
At Australian Migration Agents, our registered immigration agents bring the necessary experience to guide applicants through the SC189 pathway. We provide clear, step-by-step guidance so you can ensure your EOI lodgment is accurate, know how your occupation fares against the tiers, and explore the best alternatives if needed.
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Book a Consultation
If you are interested in getting more information about a visa, get in touch with Australian Migration Agents for a consultation.
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FAQs
What are SC189 occupation tiers?
These are part of the ranking system for SC189 occupations, which determines how many candidates can be invited for an occupation.
Does the tier system affect my chances?
Yes. High-tier occupations mean more invitation chances. So, if you have a higher points score but for a low-tier occupation, your chances will be low.
Is the SC189 visa still points-based?
Yes. Points remain an important factor, but occupation priority can influence invitation outcomes.
Which occupations are in Tier 1?
Critical, high-value occupations, like general practitioners, medical practice professionals, registered nurses, etc., are in Tier 1.
Why are ICT and accounting in lower tiers?
These occupations have an oversupply of candidates and receive a significant volume of EOIs every year; hence, they are considered less critical to fulfil.
What should I do if my occupation is in Tier 4?
Consult a qualified immigration agent and explore alternative pathways, such as SC190.
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