Which Occupations Are On a 189 Visa? In-Depth Analysis of [Top and Declining Professions]

The Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) offers a pathway to permanent Australian residency through a points-based system. The eligibility for this visa hinges primarily on your occupation's inclusion in the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).

This comprehensive guide analyzes the current occupation landscape, highlighting both high-demand and declining professions for 189 visa applicants.

High-Demand Occupations on the 189 Visa List

Australia's skilled migration program strategically targets occupations experiencing genuine labor shortages. The following professions currently enjoy strong demand and favorable outcomes in 189 visa invitation rounds.

1. Healthcare Professionals

Healthcare remains Australia's most consistently in-demand sector for skilled migration:

Occupation	ANZSCO Code	Recent Invitation Trends
Registered Nurse	254499	Regular invitations with 75-80 points
Medical Laboratory Scientist	234611	Strong demand with 75+ points
Physiotherapist	252511	Consistent invitations across rounds
Clinical Psychologist	272311	High priority with expedited processing

According to recent Department of Home Affairs data, healthcare practitioners receive approximately 22% of all 189 visa invitations, reflecting critical workforce shortages across Australia.

2. ICT Professionals

Technology occupations continue to dominate the MLTSSL with strong invitation outcomes:

Occupation	ANZSCO Code	Key Insights
Software Engineer	261313	Australia's top invited occupation
Developer Programmer	261312	Strong demand, especially with cybersecurity skills
ICT Security Specialist	262112	Growing invitation numbers with priority processing
Systems Analyst	261112	Consistent demand across multiple rounds

The migration of technology skills has become increasingly important for Australia's digital economy. Software Engineer (ANZSCO 261313) consistently ranks as the occupation receiving the most invitations, with recent data showing an average points score of 85 for successful invitations.

3. Engineering Professionals

Engineering occupations maintain strong representation on the 189 visa list:

Occupation	ANZSCO Code	Current Status
Civil Engineer	233211	Stable demand driven by infrastructure projects
Electrical Engineer	233311	Regular invitations with 80+ points
Mechanical Engineer	233512	Consistent presence across invitation rounds
Industrial Engineer	233511	Growing demand with 75-80 points requirement

Australia's ambitious infrastructure projects and renewable energy initiatives continue to drive demand for qualified engineers, particularly in civil and electrical disciplines.

Declining or Highly Competitive Occupations

While still present on the MLTSSL, the following occupations face increasing competition or declining invitation rates for 189 visas.

1. Accounting and Finance Professionals

Once dominating the skilled migration program, accounting professions now face significant challenges:

Occupation	ANZSCO Code	Current Challenges
Accountant	221111	Extremely high points thresholds (90-95 points)
Auditor	221213	Few invitations with very high competition
Finance Manager	132211	Rare invitations despite remaining on list
Financial Investment Adviser	222311	Limited invitation numbers in recent rounds

The accounting profession has experienced what experts call "occupation ceiling saturation," with an extremely competitive environment requiring near-perfect points scores of 90-95 for invitation consideration.

2. Management and Marketing Roles

Corporate management positions have seen declining invitation rates:

Occupation	ANZSCO Code	Current Status
Corporate Services Manager	132111	Minimal invitations in recent rounds
Marketing Specialist	225113	Highly competitive with few invitations
Management Consultant	224711	Significant decline in invitation numbers
Human Resource Manager	132311	Very limited invitation prospects

According to SkillSelect data, management occupations now represent less than 5% of total invitations, down from 15% five years ago.

Emerging Occupations with Growing Demand

Several occupations show increasing importance on the 189 visa landscape:

1. Sustainability and Renewable Energy Professionals

Occupation	ANZSCO Code	Trend Analysis
Environmental Engineer	233915	Growing invitation numbers
Agricultural Scientist	234112	Increasing priority ranking
Geophysicist	234412	Enhanced focus with green energy transition

2. Advanced Manufacturing and Technology

Occupation	ANZSCO Code	Current Status
Industrial Engineer	233511	Rising invitation trends
Materials Engineer	233112	Increasing priority in manufacturing sectors
Biotechnologist	234514	Growing demand in research and development

Occupation Assessment Requirements and Challenges

Each occupation on the 189 visa list requires assessment by a designated authority, with varying degrees of difficulty:

Occupations with Streamlined Assessment Processes

Some occupations enjoy relatively straightforward assessment procedures:

• Engineers: Engineers Australia offers clear pathways for assessment

• Nurses: AHPRA provides well-established registration processes

• Teachers: Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) has standardized requirements

Occupations with Complex Assessment Challenges

Other professions face more demanding assessment requirements:

• Medical Practitioners: Multiple examination requirements and conditional registration

• Accountants: Increasingly stringent employment verification and academic requirements

• ICT Professionals: Growing skill demonstration requirements through the ACS

Case Study: Diversifying from Accounting to Finance Analysis

Mei Lin, a 31-year-old accountant from Malaysia, encountered the extreme competition in the accounting category. With NovenAI's guidance, she explored:

1. Occupation reclassification analysis: Determined eligibility for assessment as a Management Consultant instead

2. Alternative occupation pathways: Identified Finance Analyst as a more viable option

3. Skills gap identification: Created a plan to acquire additional qualifications

4. Documentation strategy: Prepared customized evidence for reassessment

As NovenAI highlighted, this strategic occupation pivoting allowed Mei Lin to overcome the 95-point Accountant threshold, receiving an invitation with 85 points as a Management Consultant.

Strategic Recommendations for 189 Visa Applicants

Occupation Selection Strategies

When evaluating which occupation to pursue for your 189 visa application, consider:

5. Demand sustainability: Research historical invitation patterns through official data sources

6. Points competitiveness: Analyze the typical points thresholds for your occupation category

7. Assessment complexity: Understand the requirements of your assessing authority

8. Occupation ceiling impacts: Monitor remaining places in your occupation group

Alternative Pathways for Competitive Occupations

If your occupation faces high competition or declining invitations, consider:

• State nomination (190 visa): Many states prioritize occupations differently than the federal program

• Regional pathways (491 visa): Offers 15 additional points and potentially lower thresholds

• Employer sponsorship: Direct pathway via the 186 visa

• Occupation reassessment: Explore closely related occupations with better invitation outcomes

The Future of 189 Visa Occupations

The impending transition to the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) from December 2024 will significantly reshape Australia's skilled migration landscape. Key trends to anticipate include:

• Digital transformation emphasis: Growing preference for technology-enabled roles across sectors

• Critical infrastructure focus: Continued priority for occupations supporting essential services

• Healthcare expansion: Broadening of medical and allied health pathways

• Climate adaptation roles: Emerging opportunities in sustainability and resilience

How NovenAI Helps Navigate Occupation Complexities

Navigating the occupation list for 189 visas presents significant challenges:

• Official sources provide raw data without strategic interpretation

• Occupation descriptions often don't align perfectly with international experience

• Assessment requirements change frequently with minimal notification

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NovenAI addresses these challenges through:

1. Occupation Matching Precision: Sophisticated algorithms map your experience to the closest MLTSSL occupation

2. Competitive Analysis: Data-driven assessment of your occupation's invitation competitiveness

3. Documentation Preparation: Tailored guidance for assessment evidence based on your specific circumstances

4. Alternative Occupation Exploration: Identification of related occupations with better outcomes

5. Trend Forecasting: Predictive insights based on historical invitation patterns and policy direction

Conclusion

The occupations available for the 189 visa represent Australia's strategic workforce priorities, with healthcare, engineering, and technology currently leading demand. Understanding both the high-demand and declining occupation categories is essential for planning a successful migration strategy.

For detailed occupation-specific guidance and personalized migration planning, explore NovenAI's occupation analysis tools.

For the complete, official occupation list and latest invitation data, always refer to the Department of Home Affairs website.