Discover which business occupations currently offer the highest permanent residency success rates in Australia. Latest 2025 invitation data, points cut-offs, eligible visas, and proven strategies for accountants, consultants, managers and analysts.
Introduction
Australia issued over 16,900 independent skilled visas in the 2024–25 program year, and business-related professions consistently secure the largest share of invitations. Accountants, management consultants, and corporate managers regularly achieve approval rates above 85 % when applicants hold 80+ points. Demand remains strong in finance, consulting, and corporate strategy, placing these roles among the highest PR success rate jobs in Australia for 2025. This guide reveals exactly which business occupations perform best, the visas they qualify for, current invitation trends, and how to position yourself for success.
How Australia’s Occupation Lists Affect Business PR Applications
Australia matches skilled migrants to specific occupation lists. The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), introduced in December 2024, now contains 456 occupations and has replaced large parts of the old Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). The Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) continues to offer the clearest path to permanent residency because it allows access to the points-tested Subclass 189 visa without needing state or employer sponsorship.
Business occupations on the MLTSSL, such as Accountant (General) – ANZSCO 221111 and Management Consultant – ANZSCO 224711, receive priority processing and higher invitation numbers. Roles that sit only on the CSOL or the old STSOL generally require state nomination (Subclass 190) or regional commitment (Subclass 491) to reach permanent residency. Understanding whether your exact ANZSCO code appears on the MLTSSL versus the CSOL therefore makes an enormous difference to speed and certainty.
Business Occupations with the Highest PR Success Rates in 2025
Recent SkillSelect invitation rounds confirm the following business occupations lead approval rates:
– Accountant (General) – ANZSCO 221111
Consistently the strongest performer. Applicants with 85–95 points received invitations throughout 2025, with success rates above 92 % for Subclass 189.
– Management Consultant – ANZSCO 224711
Cut-offs hovered between 80 and 90 points. Management consultants in Sydney and Melbourne firms enjoyed approval rates around 85 %.
– Corporate General Manager – ANZSCO 111211
High-level leadership roles regularly cleared at 90+ points and maintained an 80–85 % success rate.
– ICT Business Analyst – ANZSCO 261111
Strong demand from the technology sector pushed success rates to 82 %, especially for applicants assessed by the Australian Computer Society (ACS).
– Marketing Specialist – ANZSCO 225113
Usually requires state nomination, yet still achieves approximately 78 % success through Subclass 190 and 491 visas.
– Public Relations Professional – ANZSCO 225311
Newly prominent on the CSOL, this role now opens fast employer-sponsored pathways via Subclass 186 with approval rates near 75 %.
– Sales and Marketing Manager – ANZSCO 131112
Popular in regional areas, delivering solid results through the Subclass 491 visa.
These occupations dominate because they align with Australia’s long-term economic priorities and face genuine workforce shortages.
Visa Pathways and Latest Invitation Trends
The Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) visa remains the most coveted because it grants immediate permanent residency and freedom to live anywhere in Australia. Business occupations on the MLTSSL filled roughly 25 % of all 189 invitations issued in 2025.
The Subclass 190 (State-Nominated) adds five extra points and often reduces the required score to 70–80. Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia actively nominate marketing specialists and analysts.
The Subclass 491 (Regional Provisional) provides 15 additional points and has become a fast route to permanent residency after three years. Regional business jobs in accounting and management frequently clear at only 65–75 points.
Employer-sponsored options include the Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) direct entry stream, which many public relations professionals and sales managers now use successfully, and the temporary-to-permanent transition from a Subclass 482 visa.
The Global Talent Visa (Independent) program also offers a priority pathway for senior business professionals earning above AUD 175,000 annually, bypassing the points test completely.
Practical Strategies to Maximise Your Chances
Claim every possible point: superior English (20 points), eight or more years of experience (15 points), and age 25–32 (30 points) create the strongest foundation.
Complete the correct skills assessment early. CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants ANZ, or IPA assess accountants; VETASSESS handles management consultants and marketing specialists; the Australian Computer Society covers ICT business analysts.
Submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) as soon as you reach 80 points — the highest-score, date-of-effect rule favours early lodgement when points are equal.
Consider state or regional nomination if your score sits below 85. The extra 5–15 points often make the difference between waiting years and receiving an invitation in the next round.
Keep your EOI updated. Occupation ceilings for accountants reached 80 % of allocation by October 2025, so new applicants needed 90+ points toward the end of the year.
Conclusion
In 2025, accountants, management consultants, corporate general managers, and ICT business analysts offer the highest PR success rates among business occupations in Australia. Focus on MLTSSL or CSOL roles, maximise your points, and choose the visa subclass that best matches your score and location preferences. Start or update your Expression of Interest today and consult a registered migration agent to navigate the latest ceilings and priorities.
