Top High-Demand Jobs That Can Lead to PR in Australia

Australia’s skilled migration program is built to attract workers who can fill critical shortages across the country. Each year, the government releases invitation rounds for skilled visas such as the Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa) and the Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Visa).

Not all occupations are equal when it comes to migration chances. Some require very high points to secure an invitation, while others, especially those in urgent demand sectors like healthcare, trades, and teaching, can receive invitations at much lower scores.

For international students and skilled workers from Indonesia, choosing the right occupation can make all the difference in your journey toward permanent residency (PR).

How the Skilled Migration Points System Works

Australia’s skilled migration operates on a points-tested system, where applicants submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and are ranked against others in the same occupation group. Invitations are issued based on the cut-off points in each round.

Two of the main visa pathways are:

• Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa) A permanent visa that does not require state nomination or family sponsorship. Highly competitive, usually with higher points cut-offs.
• Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Visa) A provisional visa leading to permanent residency. It requires state/territory nomination or regional family sponsorship and often has lower points cut-offs, making it more achievable for many applicants.

The demand for specific jobs directly influences the points threshold. For example, in the latest Subclass 189 invitation round (August 2025) released by the Department of Home Affairs, many professional roles required 90+ points, while some healthcare and trade occupations received invitations at just 65–70 points.

This shows why choosing the right occupation can significantly improve your chances of securing permanent residency.

Top High-Demand Jobs (Lower Cut-Off Scores)

The August 2025 Subclass 189 invitation round highlighted a clear trend: certain occupations in healthcare and skilled trades are in such high demand that applicants were invited with scores as low as 65–70 points.

Some of the most accessible high-demand jobs include:

• Trades Occupations
  • Bricklayer – invited at 65 points
  • Carpenter / Carpenter and Joiner – invited at 65 points
  • Airconditioning & Mechanical Services Plumber – invited at 65 points
  • Plumber (General) – invited at 65 points
  • Painting Trades Worker – invited at 70 points
  • Wall & Floor Tiler – invited at 65 points
  • Metal Fabricator – invited at 105 points (exceptionally high demand despite high threshold)
  • Welder (First Class) – invited at 90 points
• Healthcare Occupations
  • Audiologist – invited at 80 points
  • Cardiologist – invited at 80 points
  • Midwife – invited at 80 points
  • Speech Pathologist – invited at 80 points
  • Registered Nurses (various specializations) – invited between 65–85 points, depending on specialty

These roles are critical for Australia’s workforce and offer applicants with modest points scores a real chance to secure invitations. Compared to professional occupations that often demand 90–100+ points, these jobs stand out as practical pathways to PR.

Professional Roles in Strong Demand (High Cut-Off Scores)

While trade and healthcare roles often receive invitations at lower thresholds, many professional occupations remain in high demand but require significantly higher points to secure an invitation.

According to the August 2025 Subclass 189 invitation round, the following occupations were consistently invited at 90 points or above:

• Engineering & Technical Fields
  • Civil Engineers, Electrical Engineers, and Electronics Engineers – 90–95 points
  • Chemical Engineer, Materials Engineer, Petroleum Engineer – 90 points
  • Cartographer, Surveyor, and other Spatial Scientists – 90–95 points
• Science & Research
  • Agricultural Scientist, Biotechnologist, Marine Biologist, Microbiologist, Physicist, Zoologist – 90 points
  • Meteorologist – 95 points
• Healthcare Specialists
  • Dermatologist – 100 points
  • Orthopaedic Surgeon – 85 points
  • Specialist Physicians (various) – 80–85 points
• Other Professional Occupations
  • Architect, Economist, Management Consultant, University Lecturer – 85–90 points
  • Solicitor and Barrister – 90–95 points

These higher thresholds reflect the popularity and competitiveness of these occupations in the migration program. While they remain excellent long-term career pathways, applicants usually need to combine high English scores, additional qualifications, and work experience to reach the required points.

Subclass 491 Opportunities

For many applicants, the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa provides a more accessible pathway compared to the highly competitive 189 visa. The 491 requires state/territory nomination or family sponsorship in a regional area, and the points cut-offs are often lower than the 189 stream.

From the August 2025 results, some occupations that benefited from lower 491 thresholds included:

• Trades & Technical Jobs
  • Airconditioning & Mechanical Services Plumber – 70 points
  • Bricklayer – 70 points
  • Electrician (General) – 75 points
  • Gasfitter – 80 points
  • Wall & Floor Tiler – 75 points
• Healthcare & Education
  • Audiologist – 65 points
  • Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher – 80 points
  • Midwife – 75 points
  • Registered Nurse (Critical Care & Emergency) – 65 points
  • Speech Pathologist – 65 points
  • Secondary School Teacher – 80 points
  • University Lecturer – 80 points

These figures show that the 491 visa can provide opportunities for applicants who fall short of the 189 cut-off, especially in critical industries such as healthcare, teaching, and skilled trades. With a clear pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa, the 491 is an attractive option for many skilled migrants.

Why These Jobs Lead to PR

Australia’s migration program is designed to address skill shortages in the workforce. Occupations that consistently appear in the invitation rounds, especially those with lower points cut-offs, are typically classified as critical to Australia’s economy and public services.

• Healthcare: With an ageing population and growing demand for medical services, Australia urgently needs nurses, midwives, psychologists, and allied health professionals. These roles often provide the strongest and fastest PR opportunities.
• Trades: Carpenters, bricklayers, plumbers, and electricians are essential for Australia’s construction and infrastructure projects. These jobs are constantly in shortage, leading to lower thresholds for migration.
• Education: Teachers, particularly in early childhood and secondary education—are in high demand across regional and metropolitan areas, making them reliable migration pathways.
• STEM Professions: Although they often require high points, engineers, IT specialists, and scientists remain a long-term investment in Australia’s growth, ensuring their place in the migration program.

Ultimately, these jobs lead to PR because they align with Australia’s priority needs. Migrants who enter through these occupations not only secure strong visa prospects but also enjoy stable employment opportunities once in the country.

Conclusion

The August 2025 invitation round results clearly show that some occupations provide a much smoother pathway to Australian permanent residency. Roles in healthcare, trades, and education remain the most accessible, often with invitation scores as low as 65–75 points, while many professional and specialist careers continue to demand 90+ points.

For skilled migrants from Indonesia, understanding which jobs are in demand is crucial when planning your migration strategy. Whether you qualify for the Subclass 189 visa or take the regional pathway through the Subclass 491 visa, choosing an occupation from the priority shortage list significantly increases your chances of success.

👉 Not sure if your occupation is in demand? Contact RACC Indonesia today for a free consultation. We’ll help you check your eligibility, calculate your points, and guide you toward the best PR pathway for your future in Australia.

Bonus:

Australia PR Invitations issued by occupation and minimum score invited – Subclass 189 & 491 (August 2025)