189 pool more than triples as WA and NSW overhaul their occupation lists

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The standout figure in the June 2026 snapshot is the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) INVITED pool, which more than tripled (3,000 → 9,578, ↑ 6,578). Movements of this size in the 189 pool — which operates without state nomination — typically reflect a concentrated invitation round drawing down a large portion of the queue. All three subclasses grew, but the 189 swing dwarfs the others and will almost certainly compress score cutoffs for high-demand occupations.

The Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) pool climbed by 4,421 EOIs (12,508 → 16,929), and the Skilled Regional (Subclass 491) pool added 1,770 (10,083 → 11,853). Together the three subclasses hold 38,360 EOIs in the INVITED state as at 30 June 2026.

Top occupations on the 190

Registered Nurses nec MLTSSL held the top spot on the 190 (739 EOIs, up from 360). The sharpest riser in the top 10 was Medical Laboratory Scientist MLTSSL, which entered at rank 10 with 260 INVITED EOIs — up from just 10 last month (rank 163). That's a 26-fold increase in a single snapshot, almost certainly reflecting the mass occupation-list expansions in WA and NSW that landed during May and June.

Carpenter MLTSSL stayed at rank 2 (615), Secondary School Teacher MLTSSL moved from rank 5 to rank 3 (460), and Social Worker MLTSSL climbed from rank 12 to rank 4 (370). Construction Project Manager MLTSSL slipped one place to rank 5 (350). Occupational Therapist MLTSSL and Medical Practitioners nec MLTSSL both sit at 280 EOIs at ranks 7 and 8 respectively.

Drill into the per-state occupation cuts and live cutoff movements in Migrant Hub's dashboard.

State breakdown — 190 INVITED EOIs

WA was the biggest mover, with its 190 INVITED pool up 72% (1,778 → 3,051). That expansion lines up directly with WA's June 4 occupation list update, which added more than 100 occupations — spanning healthcare, ICT, engineering, trades, agriculture, and management — to its 190 list in a single effective date. NT's pool nearly doubled (450 → 1,080), driven by its own May 8 list restructure that added dozens of health, education, and trades roles. NSW climbed from 1,640 to 2,440 after its May 10 and May 24 updates, and VIC rose from 2,310 to 2,850.

SA was the only state to contract (2,540 → 2,389), a modest dip that warrants watching next month. ACT, QLD, and TAS all moved up by smaller margins.

On the 491 side, NT's pool surged most (670 → 1,780, ↑ 166%), again reflecting its expanded occupation list. WA's 491 pool grew from 1,322 to 1,838, and SA's dipped from 2,200 to 1,710 — the mirror of its 190 movement.

Processing time update

The 190 median processing time shortened by one month (14 → 13 months) across two updates recorded in May and June 2026. The p75 also moved from 16 months to 15 months as at 26 June. In practical terms, three quarters of 190 applicants are now being granted within 15 months of invitation — a modest improvement but worth noting if you're timing your lodgement.

State nomination list changes

The most significant nomination list activity this period came from WA, which on 4 June 2026 added occupations across virtually every sector to both its 190 and 491 lists. On the 190, WA added roles spanning healthcare (ANZSCO groups 253, 254, 252, 251), ICT (groups 261, 262, 263), engineering (groups 233, 232), trades (groups 321–342), social work and psychology (groups 272), agriculture (groups 121, 234), and management (groups 131–135), while removing Floor Finisher (332111) and Maintenance Planner (312911). On the 491, the same update added an even broader set, including roles as varied as Conference and Event Organiser, Property Manager, Clinical Coder, Emergency Service Worker, and Driving Instructor.

NSW added a large cohort of occupations to both its 190 and 491 lists effective 10 May 2026, covering engineering (groups 232–233), health (groups 251–254), ICT (groups 261–263), trades (groups 321–394), teaching (groups 241–242), and agriculture (groups 121, 234). NSW also added User Experience Designer (ICT) (261113) to both lists on 24 May 2026, and Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (254412) to its 491 list on the same date.

The NT undertook a list restructure across 7–8 May 2026 — removing a large number of occupations effective 8 May and re-adding almost the same set with some additions (including General Practitioner, Speech Pathologist, Physiotherapist, and Helicopter Pilot) on the same date — a pattern consistent with a systematic list refresh rather than genuine removal of opportunities.

Common questions

Why did the 189 INVITED pool more than triple this month?

The 189 pool as at 30 June 2026 sat at 9,578 EOIs — up from 3,000 in May (3,000 → 9,578). The 189 visa uses a points-tested invitation model with no state nomination requirement, so large jumps typically reflect Home Affairs running a sizeable invitation round that draws down a significant share of the queue. The underlying figures suggest this was one of the larger 189 rounds in recent memory, which will likely put upward pressure on score cutoffs for popular occupations next round.

Does the WA occupation list expansion mean WA nomination is now easier to get?

WA added over 100 occupations to its 190 and 491 lists effective 4 June 2026, which does mean more people are now eligible to apply for WA nomination. However, being on the list is a prerequisite — it does not guarantee nomination. WA still applies its own selection criteria, and the expansion of the list means more competition among applicants in newly added occupations. Check WA's Skills Migration website for current allocation status.

How long does the 190 take to be granted after invitation?

As at late June 2026, the median (p50) 190 processing time is 13 months and the 75th percentile (p75) is 15 months — meaning three quarters of invited applicants have been granted within 15 months. Both figures improved by one month compared to recent prior readings, continuing a gradual downward trend. Processing times vary by individual circumstances, so these figures are a guide rather than a guarantee.

Why did SA's 190 and 491 pools shrink when every other state grew?

SA's 190 INVITED pool fell from 2,540 to 2,389, and its 491 pool dropped from 2,200 to 1,710. The SkillSelect snapshot is a rolling 24-month window of valid EOIs — so a fall can reflect EOIs moving to LODGED (after applicants submitted their visa applications), EOIs expiring or being withdrawn, or fewer new invitations issued compared to those leaving the pool. SA did not publish a major occupation list update during this period, which may have constrained invitation volumes relative to states that did.

What drove Agricultural Consultant and Medical Laboratory Scientist into the top 10 on the 491?

Agricultural Consultant MLTSSL jumped from rank 153 (10 EOIs) to rank 8 (230 EOIs) on the 491, and Medical Laboratory Scientist MLTSSL rose from rank 157 (10 EOIs) to rank 9 (230 EOIs). Both movements align with NSW and WA adding these occupations to their state nomination lists in May and June 2026, creating a surge of newly invited EOIs that landed in the snapshot for the first time.

This post was generated from the latest SkillSelect snapshot. Explore the same data in the dashboard.