Australian Immigration Daily News

The Migration (Fields of Education) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/057) commenced on 25 September 2026.

The instrument repeals and replaces Specification of Fields of Education 2016/076 (IMMI 16/076), which was due to sunset on 1 October 2026. It maintains the existing policy settings, with only minor changes to modernise the drafting.

Application to the General Skilled Migration points test

Schedule 6D to the Migration Regulations 1994 establishes the General Skilled Migration points test applying to:

• subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa in the Points-tested stream;
• subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa;
• subclass 489 Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa; and
• subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa.

An applicant may qualify for specialist educational qualification points where, at the time of invitation, they have met the requirements for an Australian:

• master’s degree by research; or
• doctoral degree.

The degree must include at least two academic years of study at an Australian educational institution in a field specified by the instrument.

Specified fields of education

The approved fields fall within three broad categories:

Natural and physical sciences

These include biological sciences, chemical sciences, earth sciences, mathematical sciences, physics and astronomy, and other natural and physical sciences.

Information technology

These include computer science, information systems, information technology and other information technology fields.

Engineering and related technologies

These include aerospace, civil, electrical, electronic, geomatic, manufacturing, maritime, mechanical, industrial, process and resources engineering, together with other engineering and related technologies.

Practical effect

There has been no change to the fields of education previously specified under IMMI 16/076.

The new instrument ensures that the existing specialist educational qualification arrangements continue to operate after the former instrument’s scheduled sunset.

Applicants and migration advisers should continue to confirm that the qualification:

• is a master’s degree by research or doctoral degree;
• was awarded by an Australian educational institution;
• involved at least two academic years of study;
• falls within a field specified by LIN 26/057; and
• met the relevant requirements at the time the applicant was invited to apply for the visa.

Source: Migration-Fields-of-Education-Instrument-2026.pdf and 

Migration-Fields-of-Education-Instrument-2026-explanatory-statement.pdf