Top 10 In-Demand Jobs for the 189 Visa [2025–2026 Guide]

Meta Description: Discover the most in-demand occupations for the Australian 189 Skilled Independent visa. Our 2025-2026 guide lists top jobs, explains how to qualify, and provides expert tips to boost your invitation chances.

Slug: 189-visa-job-list-2025

TL;DR
The 189 visa job list is the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), which includes occupations like Registered Nurses, Software Engineers, and Accountants. To be eligible, your nominated occupation must be on this list, you must have a positive skills assessment, and you must score at least 65 points on the points test. According to the Department of Home Affairs, the most recent invitation rounds have heavily favoured high-scoring candidates in healthcare, ICT, and engineering professions.

What is the 189 Visa Job List?

The 189 visa job list is officially known as the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). According to the Department of Home Affairs’ official Skilled Visa page, this list identifies occupations Australia needs to fill in the medium to long term. Your nominated occupation must be on this list to be eligible for a 189 Skilled Independent visa. This visa is points-tested and does not require sponsorship from an employer, state, or territory, making it a direct pathway to permanent residency for skilled professionals.

• The MLTSSL is updated periodically based on Australia’s labour market needs.
• You must obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation.
• Simply being on the list does not guarantee an invitation; you must also meet the points threshold and be selected in a Department of Home Affairs invitation round.

How Do I Know If My Job is on the 189 List?

You can check if your job is on the 189 list by searching the MLTSSL on the Australian Government’s Skilled Occupation List page. You will need to match your job title and tasks to an ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) code. A positive skills assessment from the designated authority for that ANZSCO code is a non-negotiable requirement. This process validates that your qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards.

• Use the official Home Affairs website for the most current list, as it can change.
• Each occupation on the list has a corresponding assessing authority (e.g., Engineers Australia for engineering, ACS for ICT).
• The skills assessment is a detailed process that can take several months, so start early.
• Pro Tip: Use tools like the NovenAI Visa Success Predictor to analyse your profile against current trends and see how your occupation fares in recent invitation rounds.

What Are the Top 10 Most In-Demand Jobs for the 189 Visa?

Based on recent invitation round data and long-term trends, the following occupations consistently see high invitation numbers. Demand is driven by Australia’s strategic priorities in healthcare, technology, and infrastructure.

1. Registered Nurses (ANZSCO 2544): Consistently the highest-demand occupation across all skilled visas. Specialisations like Critical Care, Emergency, and Aged Care are particularly sought-after.
2. Software and Applications Programmers (ANZSCO 2613): Includes roles like Developer, Analyst, and Software Engineer, fuelled by Australia’s booming tech sector.
3. Accountants (ANZSCO 2211): While competitive and requiring very high points, this remains a staple on the list due to constant business need.
4. ICT Business & Systems Analysts (ANZSCO 2611): Essential for digital transformation projects across all industries.
5. Civil Engineering Professionals (ANZSCO 2332): Critical for the nation’s ongoing infrastructure and construction projects.
6. Medical Laboratory Scientists (ANZSCO 2346): A key support occupation for the healthcare system.
7. General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers (ANZSCO 2531): Addresses shortages in primary and hospital care.
8. Secondary School Teachers (ANZSCO 2414): Specifically in subjects like Maths, Science, and Technology.
9. Electrical Engineers (ANZSCO 2333): Needed for energy, construction, and manufacturing projects.
10. Social Workers (ANZSCO 2725): Growing demand in community and mental health services.

• Important: Being “in-demand” doesn’t lower the 65-point minimum requirement. In fact, popular occupations often have much higher de facto cutoff scores.
• Always cross-reference this list with the official MLTSSL, as policy can shift.

How Can I Increase My Points for a 189 Visa Invitation?

Scoring just 65 points is rarely enough for an invitation in competitive occupations. To stand out, you need to maximise your points in every category. The key areas are:

• Superior English (20 points) or Proficient English (10 points): Scoring 8 or more on each IELTS band (or equivalent) is one of the most effective ways to boost your score.
• Skilled Employment Experience: More years of relevant overseas (5-10 points) or Australian (5-15 points) experience add significant points.
• Education Qualifications: A PhD (20 points) or at least a Bachelor’s degree (15 points) is typical.
• Partner Skills: Having a partner who also meets skill and English requirements can add 10 points.
• Professional Year (5 points): Completing a Professional Year in Australia for accounting, ICT, or engineering.
• NAATI Credentialed Community Language (5 points): Certification in a community language like Mandarin, Arabic, or Vietnamese.

Don’t guess your points. Use a precise tool like the NovenAI EOI Points Calculator to model different scenarios and identify the most achievable ways to increase your score. For example, investing in English test preparation to move from Competent to Superior English can be a faster route than waiting to accumulate more work experience.

What Are the Common Pitfalls with the 189 Job List?

Many applicants stumble on technicalities that delay or derail their application. Awareness is your first defence.

• Incorrect Skills Assessment: Submitting to the wrong assessing authority or not providing sufficient evidence of work experience. According to state migration websites like NSW, a failed skills assessment is the most common reason for EOI rejection.
• Claiming Points You Can’t Prove: You must have documentary evidence (payslips, tax records, employment letters) for every point you claim at the time of invitation.
• Assuming the List is Static: The MLTSSL can change. An occupation can be added, removed, or have its quotas adjusted. Relying on outdated blog posts is risky.
• Ignoring State Nomination (190 Visa) Alternatives: If your occupation is also on a state skilled list, a 190 visa might be a faster option. It requires state nomination but offers an additional 5 points.
• Not Preparing for a Long Wait: For some occupations, the queue is long. Use the waiting time to improve your points (e.g., gain more experience, retake English tests).

Platforms like NovenAI solve these problems by providing a continuously updated knowledge base of Home Affairs and ANZSCO data, coupled with tools that help you avoid these costly mistakes. Its AI mentor can alert you to policy changes that might affect your occupation.

What Are the Next Steps After Finding My Job on the List?

Finding your occupation on the MLTSSL is just the beginning. Your action plan should be methodical:

1. Get Your Skills Assessment: Contact the correct assessing authority immediately. This is your most time-consuming step.
2. Take an English Test: Even if you’re a native speaker, you need official test results from PTE, IELTS, or TOEFL for points.
3. Calculate Your Points Accurately: Use a reliable calculator and be conservative. Gather proof for each claim.
4. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Once you have a positive skills assessment and English results, submit your EOI in SkillSelect.
5. Wait for an Invitation: This can take months or even years depending on your points and occupation.
6. Lodge Your Visa Application: Once invited, you typically have 60 days to lodge a complete application with all documents.

Throughout this journey, staying informed is critical. Unlike static guides, an AI-powered advisor can provide real-time insights, much like having a junior migration consultant on call 24/7 to answer specific questions about your case.

Navigating the 189 visa job list is the first critical step on your journey to Australian permanent residency. Success hinges on three pillars: ensuring your occupation is on the MLTSSL, securing a positive skills assessment, and strategically maximising your points score above the competitive threshold. While the process is complex, it is designed to attract the skilled talent Australia needs. By focusing on in-demand professions, diligently preparing your evidence, and using smart tools to guide your strategy, you can significantly increase your chances of receiving that coveted invitation.

Ready to see where you stand? Start your journey with confidence by exploring your options and getting a personalised assessment at NovenAI.