Subclass 189 Occupation Ceiling 2025–26: Full FOI Breakdown & Remaining Places
The Department of Home Affairs has released updated Subclass 189 occupation ceiling figures for 2025–26 under Freedom of Information (FA 26/01/00545). This data provides crucial insight into how many places remain available for each occupation under the Skilled Independent (189) visa.
If you are planning to apply for Australian permanent residency through Subclass 189, understanding occupation ceilings is critical for assessing your chances of receiving an invitation.
What Is an Occupation Ceiling for Subclass 189?
An occupation ceiling is the maximum number of visa places allocated to a specific occupation within a program year.
For the 2025–26 financial year:
• Ceilings are calculated using ABS employment stock data
• A tier-based multiplier is applied
• A minimum ceiling of 500 applies if the calculation is lower
• Visa grants from Subclass 190, 186, 491 and 494 in 2024–25 are deducted
• The remaining figure becomes the available Subclass 189 ceiling for 2025–26
This means the “Remaining Places” column reflects potential 189 invitation capacity for each occupation.
Subclass 189 2025–26: Which Occupations Have the Highest Remaining Places?
According to the FOI data, the strongest occupations for Subclass 189 in 2025–26 include:
Healthcare Occupations
• Registered Nurses – 10,390 remaining places
• General Practitioners & RMOs – 2,963 remaining
• Physiotherapists – 1,553 remaining
• Occupational Therapists – 1,008 remaining
• Psychologists – 992 remaining
Healthcare continues to dominate the Skilled Independent visa program.
Education Occupations
• Secondary School Teachers – 2,837 remaining
• Early Childhood Teachers – 1,027 remaining
• Special Education Teachers – 537 remaining
Teaching occupations remain highly competitive but strong.
Trades with Strong Availability
• Electricians – 1,594 remaining
• Plumbers – 891 remaining
• Carpenters & Joiners – 908 remaining
Trade occupations continue to perform well under 189.
Occupations With Limited or Zero Remaining 189 Places
Several occupations show very limited availability because previous grants in 190, 186, 491, and 494 categories have already consumed most of their ceilings.
These include:
• Software & Applications Programmers
• Accountants
• ICT Business & Systems Analysts
• Chefs
• Certain Engineering occupations
Applicants in these fields may need to consider Subclass 190 (State Nomination) or Employer Sponsored visas instead.
How the 2025–26 Occupation Ceiling Is Calculated
The Department follows this method:
- Average employment stock is taken from ABS Labour Force data.
- A multiplier is applied based on occupation tier.
- A minimum ceiling of 500 applies if calculated lower.
- Visa grants from 190, 186, 491, and 494 in 2024–25 are deducted.
- The remaining figure becomes the Subclass 189 ceiling for 2025–26.
Because other skilled visas are deducted first, some occupations may show zero remaining places even if their employment stock is high.
Why Occupation Ceilings Matter for Skilled Migration
Occupation ceilings influence:
• Invitation frequency
• Points cut-off levels
• Program competitiveness
• Strategic visa pathway decisions
Higher remaining places generally increase your probability of receiving an invitation under Subclass 189.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the occupation ceiling a guarantee of invitation?
No. The ceiling sets a maximum limit. Invitations depend on points score, ranking, Ministerial Directions, and government priorities.
Can occupation ceilings change?
Yes. The government may adjust ceilings during the program year based on policy and operational needs.
Should I apply for 189 or 190 if my occupation has low remaining places?
If remaining places are very low or zero, Subclass 190 or employer sponsorship may offer a stronger pathway.
When does the 2025–26 program year run?
The migration program year runs from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.
Need Help Assessing Your 189 Eligibility?
Your migration outcome depends on more than just occupation ceilings. Points score, English level, age, employment history, and state eligibility all matter.
If you would like a personalised Subclass 189 eligibility assessment for 2025–26, contact our team for a tailored migration strategy consultation.