The Migration (Fields of Education) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/057) officially commenced on 25 September 2026, replacing the previous Specification of Fields of Education 2016/076 (IMMI 16/076) which was set to sunset on 1 October 2026. This new instrument ensures the continuation of existing policy settings with minor updates to modernise the drafting.

The instrument is crucial for applicants seeking points under the General Skilled Migration points test, applicable to several visa subclasses including the 189 Skilled Independent visa, 190 Skilled Nominated visa, 489 Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa, and 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa. To qualify for specialist educational qualification points, applicants must hold a master's degree by research or a doctoral degree from an Australian institution, involving at least two academic years of study in a specified field.

The approved fields of education remain unchanged and include categories such as natural and physical sciences, information technology, and engineering. Migration professionals and applicants should ensure that qualifications meet the specified requirements at the time of invitation to apply for the visa.