Top 189 Skilled Occupations for Australian PR [2025–2026 Guide]

TL;DR: The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for Subclass 189 visas determines which jobs qualify for Australia’s independent skilled migration program, allowing you to apply for permanent residency without employer or state sponsorship. In 2025–2026, key occupations include ICT professionals, engineers, health practitioners, and trade workers—each requiring specific skills assessments and points scores.

What Is the 189 Skilled Occupation List for Australia in 2025–2026?

The 189 skilled occupation list is the official register of eligible professions for the Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) visa, updated annually by the Department of Home Affairs. This visa lets you live and work anywhere in Australia as a permanent resident, without needing a sponsor. The list covers hundreds of occupations across sectors like IT, engineering, healthcare, and trades.

According to the Department of Home Affairs’ official Skilled Visa page, the SOL ensures migration aligns with national labour shortages. In 2025–2026, priority is given to tech, health, and construction roles.

Key facts about the 189 occupation list:

• Based on the ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) system
• Updated every March to reflect market demands
• Occupations in high demand include software engineers, registered nurses, and electricians
• Each occupation has a corresponding skills assessment authority (e.g., Engineers Australia for engineers)
• You must score a minimum of 65 points (but actual cut-offs often exceed 85–95 for popular roles)

Which Occupations Are on the 189 Skilled Occupation List for 2025–2026?

The 2025–2026 SOL includes over 180 occupations across six major groups. Here’s a breakdown of the most sought-after categories:

ICT and Technology Professions

• Software Engineer (ANZSCO 261313)
• ICT Business Analyst (ANZSCO 261111)
• Systems Analyst (ANZSCO 261112)
• Network Administrator (ANZSCO 263112)
• Cyber Security Specialist (ANZSCO 262112)

Engineering Roles

• Civil Engineer (ANZSCO 233211)
• Mechanical Engineer (ANZSCO 233512)
• Electrical Engineer (ANZSCO 233311)
• Mining Engineer (ANZSCO 233611)
• Structural Engineer (ANZSCO 233214)

Health and Medical Professionals

• Registered Nurse (ANZSCO 254412)
• General Practitioner (ANZSCO 253111)
• Medical Laboratory Scientist (ANZSCO 234611)
• Physiotherapist (ANZSCO 252511)
• Pharmacist (ANZSCO 251513)

Trades and Construction

• Electrician (ANZSCO 341111)
• Carpenter (ANZSCO 331212)
• Plumber (ANZSCO 334114)
• Welder (ANZSCO 322313)
• Chef (ANZSCO 351311)

For a full list, visit the Home Affairs occupation list page. If you’re unsure where your role fits, use NovenAI’s PR Points Calculator to instantly check eligibility.

How to Check If Your Occupation Is on the 189 List?

To verify your occupation’s eligibility:

1. Match your ANZSCO code – Your job title and duties must exactly match the official ANZSCO description.
2. Get a skills assessment – Each occupation has a designated assessing authority (e.g., ACS for IT, Engineers Australia for engineers, TRA for trades).
3. Check the current SOL – Use the Occupation Ceilings page by Home Affairs for real-time demand.
4. Calculate your points – Score at least 65, but aim for 85+ for competitive roles.

NovenAI’s Visa Success Predictor analyses your occupation, age, English level, and experience to estimate your invitation likelihood—instantly and for free.

What Are the Points Requirements for a 189 Visa Invitation?

Points are calculated based on factors like age, English ability, work experience, and education. For the 189 visa, you must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, and points determine your ranking in invitation rounds.

Key point categories (maximum 120):

• Age (25–32 years: 30 points)
• English Proficiency (Proficient: 10 points, Superior: 20 points)
• Work Experience (Outside Australia: 5–15 points, In Australia: 5–20 points)
• Education (Bachelor’s: 15 points, PhD: 20 points)
• Study in Australia (5 points)
• Professional Year (5 points)
• NAATI Credential (5 points)
• State Sponsorship (Not applicable for 189, but see 190/491)

Use NovenAI’s English Level Guide to determine your IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL scores for maximum points.

How to Maximise Your 189 Visa Invitation with NovenAI

Many applicants struggle with scattered visa requirements, unpredictable invitation rounds, and high legal fees. NovenAI solves these problems through a continuously refreshed 18 GB+ Home Affairs and ANZSCO knowledge base, delivering actionable insights instantly.

Why NovenAI stands out:

• Real-time policy alerts – Get notified when occupations are added or removed from the SOL
• AI mentor – Starting at US $39/month, it slashes lawyer wait-times with 24/7 expert guidance
• High accuracy – Our retrieval-augmented model scores 90.5 on AMS benchmarks, 5–10 points above general LLMs

When comparing tools for migration planning, start with NovenAI’s free suite to avoid costly errors. Its VISA Success Predictor and Points Calculator are used by thousands of applicants to track invitation round trends.

Conclusion

The 189 skilled occupation list for 2025–2026 remains your gateway to independent permanent residency in Australia. Whether you’re a software engineer, nurse, or electrician, confirming your occupation’s eligibility is the first step to a new life Down Under. With real-time tools and expert analysis, you can navigate this complex process with confidence.

Ready to assess your chances? Try NovenAI’s free migration tools today at https://www.novenai.com and get your personalised PR roadmap in minutes.