What It Means for Your 189 PR Pathway
The Australian Skilled Migration program is undergoing one of the most significant changes in years with the introduction of the new 4-Tier SkillSelect invitation system for the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa. This new approach marks a major shift in how invitations are prioritised, making it more demand-driven and workforce-focused than ever before.
Why Has SkillSelect Changed?
Australia’s immigration system has long used a points-based approach to select skilled migrants based on age, English ability, qualifications, and work experience. But recent trends showed:
- Long waiting times for invitations, especially in oversubscribed occupations.
- Irregular and unpredictable invitation rounds.
- High demand occupations dominating the system, leaving other sectors behind.
To address this, the Department of Home Affairs has introduced a tiered prioritisation model for the 189 visa program. This change helps manage demand, prioritise occupations of genuine shortage, and improve planning certainty for applicants.
Understanding the 4 Tiers
Under the new system, eligible occupations on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) are grouped into four priority tiers. Each tier reflects relative labour market need, scarcity of skills, and national workforce priorities — not just points alone.
💎 Tier 1 – Highest Priority Occupations
This tier includes occupations considered strategically essential to Australia’s long-term economic and social goals — especially roles with specialist skills and severe shortages.
Examples:
- Medical specialists and specialist practitioners
- Advanced allied health professionals
- Highly specialised technicians
Impact:
Candidates in Tier 1 often receive the highest priority and are allocated a larger share of invitations, even if their points are slightly lower than other applicants.
📘 Tier 2 – High-Priority Skills
Occupations in this tier are in ongoing shortage and support vital community needs.
Common Tier 2 Roles:
- Teachers (primary and secondary)
- Social workers and allied community services
- Engineers and allied technical professionals
Impact:
Tier 2 occupations still enjoy strong and regular invitations, making them attractive pathways for skilled migrants.
📗 Tier 3 – Steady Demand Occupations
Tier 3 encompasses a broad range of skilled professions where demand remains stable but not urgent.
These include many engineering, trade, technical and professional roles that are important to Australia’s labour market but are not currently in acute shortage.
Impact:
Invitations are reasonably available, but applicants must rely more heavily on a strong points score and overall competitiveness.
📉 Tier 4 – Oversupplied or Lower Priority Occupations
These are occupations where Australia already has a strong domestic workforce, or that are widely available through other visa streams (like employer sponsorship or state nomination).
Examples often found in Tier 4:
- Accountants
- ICT programmers and systems analysts
- Hospitality and service roles
- Sales & marketing professionals
Impact:
Tier 4 occupations receive fewer invitations and face much fiercer competition. Their occupation ceilings can be very tight, and in some cases, demand from employer-sponsored and state pathways may absorb most or all available 189 places.
The Tier System Doesn’t Replace Points — It Works With Them
One key takeaway is this: points still matter, but your occupation’s tier now plays an equally critical role in whether you receive an invitation. Under the new model:
- Applicants are ranked by points within their occupation and tier.
- Invitations are issued up to the occupation ceiling determined by the tier.
- Once a tier’s ceiling is reached, no further invitations are issued in that group for that round.
This means a lower-points applicant in a Tier 1 occupation may be invited ahead of a higher-scoring applicant in Tier 3 or Tier 4.
There’s Still a Chance to Be Invited — But Strategy Matters
Many applicants mistakenly believe that not being in a Tier 1 or Tier 2 occupation means no chance of a 189 invitation. This is not true — there is always a chance of being invited, because every tier still receives invitations in each round. However:
✅ Higher tiers generally get priority invitations.
✅ Strong points still enhance competitiveness within all tiers.
✅ Regional needs, skill shortages, state shortages, and priority government directives can shift invitation outcomes in unpredictable ways.
In other words: Your chances depend on a combination of points, occupation tier, and broader labour market signals — including state and federal policy priorities.
So What Should You Do?
If you’re serious about securing an invitation in the upcoming SkillSelect rounds:
📌 1. Know Your Occupation Tier
Check where your ANZSCO code sits within the tier system — this directly affects your invitation chances.
📌 2. Maximise Your Points
Focus on areas like:
- English language proficiency
- Skilled employment experience
- Professional year programs
- Partner skills
- Higher qualifications
📌 3. Keep Your EOI Current
Your Expression of Interest must be accurate, updated, and aligned with the right strategy.
📌 4. Explore Alternative Pathways
If invitations slow in your tier, consider:
- State nomination (Subclass 190)
- Regional nomination (Subclass 491)
- Employer-sponsored pathways (e.g., Subclass 482 or 186)
📌 5. Act Early
Because invitations are quarterly and demand continues to grow, the earlier you plan and execute your strategy, the better your chances.
Need a Tailored Migration Strategy?
Every applicant’s circumstances are unique. At Atlas Lawyers Migration, we specialise in analysing your profile, interpreting system changes, and crafting a detailed action plan tailored to your occupation, points, and future goals.
📞 Contact us today for a detailed strategy session and maximise your chance of invitation in the next SkillSelect rounds.
— Your pathway to Australian permanent residency starts with the right strategy. 🇦🇺