The October 189 EOI figures are out. Below is a breakdown of several representative occupations, plus a brief analysis of yesterday’s state-nomination update.
Early Childhood Teaching โ 85-pointers surging (Figure 1)
- October added 667 valid EOIs, with nearly half at 85 points and 85+80 points together accounting for over 60%
- 85-pointers doubled: September added 150, October added 317, bringing the 85-plus pool to 760
- The next 189 round is unlikely to clear the 85-point backlog โ be prepared for a longer wait
Secondary Teaching โ 80-pointers rising rapidly (Figure 1)
- Growth concentrated at 80 points: October added 105, up from just 24 in September โ the pace is accelerating, with 516 at 80-plus and the 85-point backlog holding in the double digits
- Compared to early childhood, both the growth rate and the backlog are much healthier. Secondary teaching doesn’t see sudden application surges, so 85-pointers are on solid ground and may land in the short term; 80-pointers will need to wait
Social Work โ even fewer and slower (Figure 2)
- October added only 114 EOIs. Most social workers graduate from Australian programs with a baseline of 70 points, and a bit of effort pushes them to 80 or 85 โ so both brackets added 30+ applicants
Nursing โ 85 is safe, 80 must wait (Figure 2)
- October added close to 1,000 EOIs, with the backlog and growth concentrated at 75โ85 points. The 80-point bracket added 452, around 46% of total growth
- Just under 400 sit at 85 or above, 1,000+ at 80, and the brackets below that are 3,000+
- Historically, nursing has received generous invitation numbers each round โ 85-pointers could realistically clear in one or two rounds, while 80-pointers will need more patience and a bit of luck
Civil Engineering โ 95 points is the only safe tier (Figure 3)
- October added 129 EOIs, with 10โ30 new entries in each bracket
- 771 applicants sit at 90 or above
- If Home Affairs rekindles its enthusiasm for civil engineering, 90-pointers still have a shot โ another 5 points would make things a lot more comfortable
Accounting โ 600 more at 90 points (Figure 3)
- For what’s often labelled a “sunset” migration occupation, accounting at 90-plus added 644 applicants โ the high-point brackets keep soaring. This is what rapid growth at the top tier looks like, and accounting is giving early childhood a live masterclass
Home Affairs previously indicated one 189 round per quarter โ the first was in August. Perhaps another round this month to pick up a few more candidates?
- South Australia and Tasmania have both received additional interim allocations (Figure 4)
- Tasmania picked up an extra 450 places and will begin inviting every applicant who passes screening โ gold, green, and orange all have a chance
- South Australia hasn’t disclosed the extra quota yet, but will announce policy details and reopen ROI submissions shortly
Looking at it all, no state seems entirely sure when they’ll receive their full allocation. The proactive ones are getting on with whatever work they can; the less motivated are dragging their feet. Are we really going to be waiting until 2026? At the end of the month I’ll be attending the MIA briefing where each state’s representatives present โ I’ll report back on what they have to say ๐
