News and Updates

Australia Skilled Visa 2026: New Occupation List

Quick Summary – Skilled Migration Changes 2026

Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) replaced by new National Skills List with 212 occupations
Priority sectors: healthcare, aged care, disability support, construction, renewable energy, defence
Points test updated: reduced points for age over 40; increased weight for Australian qualifications
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) now requires 75 points minimum (up from 65)
Regional Sponsored visa (subclass 491) extended to 5 years with faster pathway to PR
Employer Sponsored visa (subclass 482) minimum salary threshold raised to AUD 73,150
Global Talent Visa expanded to include quantum computing, clean hydrogen, space technology
Processing times: 4–12 months for 189/190 visas; 2–6 months for employer-sponsored

What’s Behind Australia’s 2026 Skilled Migration Reforms

In November 2025, the Australian Department of Home Affairs released the 2026–2027 Migration Program planning levels and the completely revamped National Skills List. The changes reflect the government’s continued focus on addressing chronic labour shortages while aligning migration with long-term economic priorities, housing capacity and regional development. The total permanent migration intake remains capped at 185,000 places, with 132,200 (71%) allocated to skilled streams.

The most significant update is the replacement of the old Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) with a single, streamlined National Skills List containing 212 occupations. This consolidation aims to reduce confusion for applicants and employers while sharpening focus on high-demand areas such as healthcare, construction, teaching, aged care, disability support, renewable energy and defence manufacturing.

Migration must serve Australia’s future – bringing in the skills we need to build, heal and power the nation.
— Australian Minister for Home Affairs, November 2025

The reforms have been broadly welcomed by industry groups, particularly in healthcare, construction and renewables, where shortages have reached critical levels. However, some sectors (hospitality, retail, lower-skilled administration) have seen occupations removed from the list, making it harder for employers in those fields to sponsor overseas workers. Migration agents report a surge in inquiries from nurses, electricians, carpenters, teachers and engineers – professions now firmly at the top of the priority list.

Australia skilled migration occupations 2026

New National Skills List – Top Occupations & Priority Sectors

The 2026 National Skills List highlights the following key priority areas and occupations:

Healthcare & social assistance: Registered Nurses, Aged Care Workers, Disability Support Workers, General Practitioners, Physiotherapists, Psychologists
Construction & trades: Electricians, Carpenters, Plumbers, Bricklayers, Civil Engineers, Project Managers
Education: Secondary School Teachers (especially maths, science, special education), Early Childhood Teachers
Renewable energy & engineering: Wind Turbine Technicians, Solar Installers, Electrical Engineers, Environmental Engineers
Defence & advanced manufacturing: Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, Cyber Security Specialists, Defence Systems Engineers
ICT & emerging tech: Software Engineers, Data Scientists, AI Specialists, Cloud Architects

Occupations removed from the list include many hospitality roles (chefs, waiters), retail managers and lower-level administrative positions. These roles are now expected to be filled domestically or through temporary visa pathways with stricter labour market testing.

Australia points test and visa streams 2026

Points Test & Visa Stream Changes in 2026

The Skilled Migration points test has been adjusted to better reward skills and Australian qualifications:

Minimum points for Skilled Independent (subclass 189): raised to 75 (from 65)
Age points: reduced for applicants 40–44 (15 → 10 points) and 45+ (0 points)
Australian study requirement: +5 points for completing at least 2 years of study in regional Australia
Regional Sponsored visa (subclass 491): validity extended to 5 years, with faster PR pathway after 3 years
Employer Sponsored visa (subclass 482): minimum salary threshold increased to AUD 73,150 (TSMIT); labour market testing extended to 28 days

The Global Talent Visa (GTV) has been expanded to include emerging fields such as quantum computing, clean hydrogen, space technology and battery manufacturing, with streamlined processing for high-earners and exceptional talent.

Who Benefits Most – and Which Professions Face Challenges?

The biggest winners in 2026 are:

Healthcare professionals (nurses, aged care, disability support, allied health)
Skilled tradespeople (electricians, carpenters, plumbers, welders)
Teachers, especially in maths, science and special education
Renewable energy and engineering specialists
ICT professionals in AI, cybersecurity and software development

Professions facing reduced opportunities include hospitality workers, retail managers, lower-level administrators, hairdressers, beauty therapists and many general clerical roles – most of these have been removed from the skilled list and are now limited to temporary or regional sponsorship pathways.

Practical Advice for Skilled Visa Applicants in 2026

Check your occupation against the latest National Skills List on the Department of Home Affairs website
Obtain a valid skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority (e.g. VETASSESS, TRA, AHPRA)
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect – aim for 75+ points for subclass 189
Consider regional visas (491/494) for faster processing and bonus points
For employer sponsorship, ensure the job has been advertised on Workforce Australia for 28 days
Prepare English test results (IELTS/PTE/OET) and health/police checks early to avoid delays

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