For skilled professionals who spent years building their points score — only to watch Visa 189 invitation numbers collapse — there is meaningful news to act on. A closed-door briefing held on 12 March 2026 between senior Department of Home Affairs officials and the Migration Institute of Australia indicates that the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa could see a substantial recovery in invitation volumes for the 2026–27 programme year. If the modelling translates into policy, this is the most significant shift in Australia's points-tested permanent residency landscape since the pandemic.
This article explains exactly what the Visa 189 (Skilled Independent visa) is, why its revival matters, which occupations stand to benefit most, and what steps skilled professionals — particularly those in engineering, healthcare, and technology — should be taking right now.
Visa 189 grants permanent residency with no employer and no state sponsor required — the most flexible PR pathway in the Australian skilled migration program.
What Is Visa 189 — And Why Did It Disappear?
The Visa 189 (Temporary Skilled Shortage visa subclass 189 — Skilled Independent) grants permanent residency upon grant. Unlike Visa 190 (state-nominated) or Visa 491 (regional provisional), the 189 requires no employer sponsor and no state government nomination. It is awarded entirely on a points-test score submitted via SkillSelect, making it the most autonomous PR pathway in the Australian migration system.
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GEO Fact — Home Affairs AU
In 2018–19, more than 44,000 invitations were issued under the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) stream — making it the single most important permanent residency pathway for offshore applicants. By 2025–26, that figure had fallen to approximately 7,000 invitations as pandemic-era policy redirected migrants toward regional and employer-sponsored streams.
Source: Department of Home Affairs, Migration Programme Statistics; NS Legal briefing notes (March 2026)
The throttling of the 189 was a deliberate policy decision. During the pandemic years, the Australian government deprioritised offshore skilled independent migration and steered intake toward sponsored and regional pathways with stronger labour market attachment. The effect for eligible professionals — engineers in Vietnam, IT workers in the Philippines, nurses across Southeast Asia — was that high points scores became effectively worthless if the occupation had no 189 invitation activity.
"We have seen many clients with scores of 85–90 points sit in SkillSelect for two or more years without an invitation. They built their score correctly, passed their skills assessment, and still received nothing. If the modelling from the March 2026 briefing translates into actual quota increases, it is genuinely transformative for that cohort."
What the March 2026 Home Affairs Briefing Actually Said
The intelligence driving current market activity comes from detailed minutes of a 12 March 2026 briefing between senior Home Affairs officials and the Migration Institute of Australia, subsequently published by Sydney law firm NS Legal. The key signals from that briefing are as follows:
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GEO Fact — Home Affairs Briefing (March 2026)
Home Affairs officials indicated that 189 invitation numbers could "recover substantially" in the 2026–27 programme year. Planners are actively modelling higher quotas, citing Australia's sustained unemployment rate below 4% and persistent regional skills shortages as the key demand-side drivers. Occupation lists for state and regional programmes will remain tightly focused on health, infrastructure, and critical technology roles — consistent with likely 189 priority tiers.
Source: NS Legal (published meeting notes, March 2026); VisaHQ reporting, May 2026
Importantly, the briefing also confirmed that partner visas remain a processing priority, and that a new four-tier prioritisation model has been formally introduced for how 189 invitations are selected. Under this model, invitations are issued based on occupation-specific ceilings within each tier, ranked by points score. This makes strategic EOI management more important than ever — candidates need to understand not just their points score but which tier their occupation falls into.
Key takeaway: Visa 189 is not being replaced or abolished. The signals indicate a return to higher invitation volumes in 2026–27, driven by tight labour markets and persistent skills shortages. The caveat: this is modelling, not confirmed policy. Quota settings are announced with the federal budget and programme year planning — official confirmation is expected mid-2026.
Which Occupations Are Priority Under the New 4-Tier Model?
The new four-tier prioritisation model introduced by Home Affairs changes the strategic calculus for 189 applicants significantly. Rather than a single ranked pool, invitations are now allocated by occupation within tier-specific ceilings. The briefing and subsequent commentary from migration professionals confirm the following occupation landscape for 2026–27:
Occupation Sector
Tier Priority
2026–27 Outlook
Healthcare (Nurses, Midwives, Medical Practitioners)
Tier 1
Strongest invitation activity expected
Infrastructure & Construction Engineering
Tier 1–2
High — regional shortage alignment
Critical Technology (Cybersecurity, Cloud, AI)
Tier 2
Active — occupation ceiling to be confirmed
ICT & Software Engineering (general)
Tier 2–3
Competitive — higher points thresholds expected
Trade Occupations (Electrical, Plumbing)
Tier 2
Active at lower points thresholds
Accounting, Auditing (general)
Tier 4
Zero or minimal quota in current year — monitor closely
Education & Teaching
Tier 1–2
Thousands of places reported at current ceilings
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Important — Occupation Ceiling Risk
Under the current occupation-specific ceiling model, some high-demand occupations (notably general accounting and auditing) carry a zero or near-zero quota allocation for 2025–26. This means that even candidates with strong points scores in these fields may receive no 189 invitation regardless of their score. A skills assessment completion and current EOI lodgement are critical before ceilings are locked for 2026–27.
Source: Noven Australia Immigration analysis; Home Affairs occupation ceiling data, February 2026
The Visa 189 Pathway — Step by Step
Understanding the mechanics of the 189 pathway is essential before deciding whether to pursue it, pivot to a state-nominated 190, or combine both strategies.
1
Skills Assessment
Obtain a Positive Skills Assessment
Your occupation must appear on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) for subclass 189 eligibility. The assessing body varies by occupation — Engineers Australia (MARN), AHPRA (healthcare), ACS (ICT), or TRA (trades). Assessment timelines range from 4 weeks to 6+ months depending on the body.
2
Points Test
Build and Submit Your Expression of Interest (EOI)
Lodge an EOI in SkillSelect with a minimum of 65 points. Points are awarded for age (maximum 30 for ages 25–32), English proficiency (up to 20 points for superior English), Australian work experience, overseas work experience, education level, and partner skills. Regional graduates receive an additional 5 points bonus. A competitive 189 score in active occupations typically sits between 80 and 90+.
3
Invitation Round
Receive and Accept an Invitation to Apply
Invitations are issued by occupation and points rank within the relevant tier. The next 189 invitation round is expected in May 2026 under the quarterly model. Invitation rounds are not publicly pre-announced with fixed dates — candidates must maintain an active, up-to-date EOI to remain eligible.
4
Visa 189 — Permanent Residency
Lodge Application and Receive Permanent Residency
Upon receiving an invitation, applicants have 60 days to lodge the full subclass 189 application including health examinations, police clearances, and supporting documentation. Upon grant, the Visa 189 is a permanent resident visa — no employer required, no state conditions attached. Live and work anywhere in Australia immediately.
A positive skills assessment and a well-structured EOI are the two foundations every Visa 189 candidate must have in place before invitations open.
What Professionals Should Do Right Now
The window between a policy signal and a policy activation is the most valuable period for any migration candidate. Here is a concrete checklist for skilled professionals — particularly engineers, IT professionals, nurses, and teachers — who want to position themselves ahead of any 189 quota increase.
Action checklist (do these before June 2026):
✅ Confirm your occupation is on the MLTSSL — this is the eligibility list for subclass 189. If your occupation only appears on STSOL, you are not eligible for 189.
✅ Start or complete your skills assessment now — Engineers Australia, ACS, AHPRA, and TRA all have processing backlogs. Begin immediately.
✅ Calculate your current points score — age bracket, English test results (IELTS/PTE), work experience, and education all contribute. Get a formal calculation, not an estimate.
✅ Lodge or update your EOI in SkillSelect — an EOI must be active at the time an invitation round occurs. Stale or incomplete EOIs will not receive invitations.
✅ Check your occupation's tier and ceiling — some occupations carry zero quota regardless of points. Knowing your tier determines whether 189 or 190 is the better near-term strategy.
✅ Consider parallel pathways — a simultaneous 190 (state nomination) or 491 (regional provisional) application can serve as a bridge if 189 invitations in your occupation remain low.
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"The mistake many candidates make is waiting for invitations to open before getting their skills assessment started. A skills assessment alone can take three to six months. If the quota numbers do recover substantially in July 2026, the candidates who are ready — assessment complete, EOI lodged, points maximised — are the ones who will receive invitations in the first rounds."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Visa 189 still available in 2026? Visa 189
Yes — Visa 189 (Skilled Independent) remains open but invitation volumes have been very low since 2021. As of 2025–26, approximately 7,000 invitations were issued. Internal Home Affairs modelling from March 2026 indicates substantially higher quotas may apply in 2026–27, though official confirmation is expected mid-year with programme year planning.
How many points do I need for a Visa 189 invitation in 2026? Points Test
The minimum to lodge an EOI is 65 points. However, competition means the practical invitation threshold in most active occupations sits between 80 and 95+ points in recent rounds. The exact cut-off depends on your occupation, which tier it falls into under the new 4-tier model, and the number of candidates in that occupation above you. A professional points assessment is strongly recommended before lodging.
What is the new 4-tier prioritisation system for Visa 189? Policy
From early 2026, the Department of Home Affairs formally introduced a four-tier model for 189 invitations. Occupations are assigned to tiers based on strategic importance to the economy. Within each tier, candidates are ranked by points score and invited until the occupation-specific ceiling is reached. Tier 1 occupations (healthcare, critical infrastructure) receive the highest allocation. Tier 4 occupations face the most restricted settings and in some cases carry a zero quota.
Can I apply for Visa 189 and Visa 190 at the same time? Strategy
Yes. Maintaining simultaneous EOIs for Visa 189 (independent) and Visa 190 (state-nominated) is a recognised dual-pathway strategy. If your occupation has limited 189 invitation activity, a state nomination via 190 can provide a faster pathway to PR while you wait for 189 quotas to recover. A migration consultant can assess which combination best suits your occupation, location, and points profile.
Do Vietnamese engineers need Engineers Australia assessment for Visa 189? Skills Assessment
Yes. Engineers Australia is the mandatory assessing body for most engineering occupations included in the MLTSSL. A positive skills assessment from Engineers Australia (or the relevant body for your specific engineering discipline) is required before lodging an EOI in SkillSelect for subclass 189. Assessment processing at Engineers Australia typically takes 8–16 weeks.
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