Through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, we obtained the number of pending applications by occupation for Australia’s Subclass 189, 190 and 491 visas as at 30 June 2026.
Although pending application numbers are not directly equivalent to invitation numbers, where processing times are relatively stable, a larger backlog for an occupation generally also indicates that more applicants were previously invited. These figures therefore offer a broad indication of occupational preferences across different skilled migration pathways over the past few financial years.
For the Subclass 189 visa, processing wait times are currently relatively stable at around six months. Most applications pending at the end of the financial year can therefore be presumed to have come from applicants invited during the 2025–26 financial year.
Processing times for Subclass 190 and 491 visas were previously generally between one and two years. Their year-end backlogs therefore mainly indicate which occupations received more invitations across the 2024–25 and 2025–26 financial years.
The 15 occupations with the largest Subclass 189 backlogs
Registered Nurse is well ahead of other occupations in the Subclass 189 backlog figures. In addition to Registered Nurse, Registered Nurse (Aged Care) and Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) also feature in the top 15.
This again reflects the longstanding prominence of registered nurses in Subclass 189 skilled independent migration. Nursing remains a field worth exploring for applicants with strong English skills who hope to plan a skilled migration pathway through study in Australia.
Carpenter ranks second, with 475 pending applications. Carpenters have received invitations with 65 points in previous rounds, making this construction trade particularly worth watching in the Subclass 189 occupation figures.
Secondary School Teacher and Social Worker rank third and fourth respectively. Both are familiar, established skilled migration occupations.
Overall, the top 15 Subclass 189 occupations include established migration occupations in nursing, teaching and social work, alongside construction trades and other skilled occupations such as Carpenter and Cook. This indicates some change in the composition of invitations in recent years.
The 20 occupations with the largest Subclass 190 backlogs
Compared with Subclass 189, the differences in backlog size between occupations are relatively small for Subclass 190.
Cook, Accountant and Software Engineer are all non-priority occupations in the top five. This shows that states continued to issue substantial numbers of invitations to these occupations over the past two financial years, while also reflecting marked differences in occupational preferences between state governments and state nomination pathways.
For example, Tasmania previously invited many accountants, while Victoria invited a considerable number of IT applicants living in the state with high salaries and high points scores in the previous financial year.
The larger backlogs for some non-priority occupations may also be related to processing arrangements. Priority occupations may be processed more quickly under the new processing priorities, while non-priority occupations are more often processed in their original lodgement order, potentially resulting in larger backlogs.
Civil Engineer ranks sixth, while Civil Engineering Draftsperson ranks 14th. Although civil engineers previously became less prominent in Subclass 189 invitations, the Subclass 190 backlog figures indicate that states still have a clear demand for civil engineering professionals.
Early Childhood Teacher ranks eighth, Carpenter ninth and Painter 15th.
The Subclass 190 figures therefore suggest that construction occupations are no longer the choice of just a few individual states, but are gradually featuring across multiple state nomination pathways.
The 20 occupations with the largest Subclass 491 backlogs
Subclass 491 covers an even broader spread of occupations.
Chef ranks first, and Cook also appears on the list. Demand for chefs and related hospitality workers remains evident in regional areas.
Accountant ranks second and Civil Engineer third, while Painter has risen to fourth.
Beyond the top five occupations, each with more than 300 pending applications, many Subclass 491 occupations have backlogs ranging from a few dozen to more than 200.
This also reflects the broader occupational coverage of Subclass 491 compared with Subclass 189 and 190. Previous invitation rounds have been able to reach more applicants with lower points scores and those in less common occupations.
Meanwhile, some of the traditional “four mainstay” migration occupations have relatively small Subclass 491 backlogs, except, of course, for occupations such as Civil Engineer that have large applicant pools to begin with.
Construction trades now feature across Subclass 189, 190 and 491
One notable finding across these three sets of figures is that Carpenter and Painter both appear in the occupation backlog rankings for Subclass 189, 190 and 491.
This shows that construction trades have begun to feature across different skilled migration pathways, with substantial numbers of pending applications.
As the Australian Government continues to emphasise the need for workers in construction and housing, more applicants are exploring study, employment and migration pathways in construction trades.
However, this does not mean that every construction trade can lead directly to permanent residency through skilled migration. Whether someone can apply for Subclass 189, 190 or 491 still needs to be assessed against factors including skills assessments, English proficiency, age, occupation lists, state government requirements and invitation points scores.
Why are study and migration pathways in construction trades more relevant to onshore applicants?
At present, applying for a trade course directly from outside Australia may involve a higher risk during student visa processing. Construction trade courses may therefore be more worth assessing for applicants already in Australia.
For example, applicants currently holding a student visa, a Subclass 485 Graduate visa or a working holiday visa (WHV), whose original field offers a more difficult migration pathway, can consider whether studying a construction trade course alongside their existing studies or activities would suit their qualifications, work experience and future career plans.
Fields currently attracting attention include Carpentry, Wall and Floor Tiling, and Painting and Decorating.
For more about choosing an occupation, course arrangements and who these pathways may suit, see our earlier detailed guide to study and migration through construction trades.
The figures show that occupation choice is increasingly important when planning study and migration
In the past, many applicants choosing a field of study in Australia focused more on university rankings, course names or employment opportunities after graduation.
However, as Australian migration policy continues to change, choosing a “popular field” alone no longer necessarily provides a clear migration pathway.
These Subclass 189, 190 and 491 backlog figures also show clear differences in occupational demand between visa pathways. Established occupations in nursing, teaching and social work remain prominent, while construction trades such as Carpenter and Painter are increasingly attracting the attention of skilled migration applicants.
Particularly given Australia’s recent further tightening of some onshore visa renewal pathways, planning a career and migration pathway before choosing a course may matter more for applicants hoping to stay in Australia long term through study than simply putting effort into an application.
Whether you are preparing to study in Australia, already studying here, or holding a Subclass 485 visa or WHV, we recommend assessing suitable occupations and courses early, taking into account your age, qualifications, English proficiency, occupational background and future visa goals.
