Subclass 189 Invitation Round 2026: Latest Results, Points and Occupation Breakdown

The most recent Subclass 189 invitation round was held on 4 June 2026.

The Department of Home Affairs issued 10,000 invitations for the Skilled Independent visa. Points cutoffs ranged from 65 to 100, depending on occupation.

One thing to understand upfront: reaching 65 points does not mean an invitation is coming. Each Subclass 189 invitation round works occupation by occupation. Your nominated occupation, your points score, and how many other people are competing in that category all shape the outcome.

This article covers:

• What happened in the latest round
• How the SkillSelect process works
• What to do while you wait for the next round

Key Takeaways

• Latest round: 4 June 2026. The Department of Home Affairs issued 10,000 invitations for the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa.
• Points cutoffs ranged from 65 to 100 depending on occupation. There is no single cutoff score across the program.
• 65 points does not guarantee an invitation. Only a small number of occupations, mostly trades, were invited at the minimum eligibility score.
• Occupation matters as much as points score. Construction trades cleared near the floor (65-70 points), healthcare and education sat in the middle (75-85 points), and specialised engineering/science occupations needed the most (95-100 points).
• The date of effect can decide outcomes at equal scores. The reported tie-break period for this round was around April 2026. Two applicants with the same score can get different results based on when their EOI reached that score.
• The invitation process runs through SkillSelect. Applicants lodge an EOI, get ranked within their occupation by points and date of effect, and are invited from the top down until that occupation’s allocation is used.
• An invitation is not a visa grant. It opens a 60-day window to lodge a full application with supporting evidence, which the Department still assesses against health, character and other requirements.
• The next round is expected by 30 September 2026, but not confirmed. Applicants should keep their EOI accurate, check points claims against evidence, and monitor the official Department of Home Affairs page rather than relying on expected dates.

What Is the Subclass 189 Invitation Round?

A Subclass 189 invitation round is how the Department of Home Affairs picks candidates from SkillSelect and invites them to apply for the Skilled Independent visa.

No sponsor needed. No employer, state, territory or family sponsorship. It’s assessed purely on points.

First, you lodge an EOI in SkillSelect. It records your:

• Nominated occupation
• Age
• English test result
• Qualifications
• Work experience

These build your points score. Lodging an EOI doesn’t guarantee anything. It just puts you in the pool.

Each round, SkillSelect ranks EOIs by points within each occupation, highest first. If two people tie, the one whose EOI reached that score earlier goes first (called date of effect). Invitations flow from the top down until that occupation runs out of places.

An invitation to apply isn’t a visa. It gives you 60 days to lodge a full application with evidence, which the Department still has to assess.

Latest Subclass 189 Invitation Round 2026

When Was the Latest 189 Invitation Round Held?

4 June 2026. This is the most recent round published by the Department of Home Affairs at the time of writing.

How Many Subclass 189 Invitations Were Issued?

10,000 invitations were issued.

This does not mean every occupation received a share. Invitations are split unevenly. Some occupations get far more than others, based on demand and how many EOIs sit in that category.

What Was the Tie-Break Date?

When two applicants share the same points score in the same occupation, SkillSelect uses the date of effect to decide who goes first.

For the 4 June 2026 round, reporting pointed to a tie-break period around April 2026.

In practice, this means:

• Two people with the same score in the same occupation can get different outcomes
• Timing of your EOI matters, not just your score
• If your score matched the published minimum but your EOI reached it after the tie break point, you likely were not invited this round

Subclass 189 Invitation Round Results by Occupation and Points

There is no single cutoff score for the Subclass 189 visa. Each occupation has its own minimum invited score.

The table below shows examples from the 4 June 2026 round. It is illustrative, not a complete occupation list.

Occupations Invited at 65 Points

Construction trades sat at the 65-point floor:

• Carpenter
• Glazier
• Wall and Floor Tiler

This reflects ongoing demand in construction. But 65 points was the minimum for these specific occupations in this specific round only. Not every applicant at 65 points was invited, and this is not a benchmark for the whole program.

Occupations Invited at 70 Points

Bricklaying and solid plastering landed at 70 points. Construction trades continue to see relatively accessible outcomes.

Occupations Invited at 75 Points

A wider mix appeared at 75 points:

• Social Worker
• Engineering Manager
• Electrician
• Secondary School Teacher

Trades, education and professional services can sit close together once scores move just above the minimum.

Occupations Invited at 80 Points

Healthcare featured heavily at 80 points:

• General Practitioner
• Registered Nurse (Medical and Surgical)
• Medical Laboratory Scientist
• Economist

This reflects sustained demand for medical professionals in Australia’s skilled migration program.

Occupations Invited at 85 Points

These occupations reached 85 points:

• Physiotherapist
• Psychologist (NEC)
• Solicitor
• Architect

These roles generally need formal qualifications or licensing. The pool is smaller but still competitive.

Occupations Invited at 90 Points

Agricultural Scientist appeared at 90 points, along with some Social Worker EOIs not reached at 75 points.

The same occupation showing up at more than one points band usually comes down to date of effect.

Occupations Invited at 95 Points

These occupations needed 95 points:

• Telecommunications Engineer
• Telecommunications Network Engineer
• Geophysicist

These are typically smaller, more competitive pools relative to demand.

Occupations Invited at 100 Points

The highest reported score in this round was 100 points, for:

• Chemist
• Biotechnologist

This is the ceiling for these specific, highly specialised occupations in this round only. Not a general requirement across the program.

What Is the Minimum Score for a Subclass 189 Invitation?

These terms are often confused:

• Minimum eligibility points: 65 points. The baseline score needed to lodge a valid EOI.
• Points score that received an invitation: the actual score at which the lowest-ranked applicant was invited, for one occupation, in one round.
• Occupation-specific invitation score: the minimum invited score for one occupation. This can differ significantly from other occupations in the same round.
• Competitive points score: a score comfortably above an occupation’s recent invitation history.

Meeting the eligibility threshold and being competitive enough to actually get invited are two different things.

Is 65 Points Enough for a 189 Invitation?

Not on its own. In the 4 June 2026 round, only a small number of occupations, mostly trades, had invitations issued at 65 points. Most others needed considerably more, up to 100 points for the most competitive occupations.

If you are at 65 points in a competitive occupation, treat that as your entry point into the pool, not a sign an invitation is close.

Why Do Invitation Scores Differ by Occupation?

Several factors drive the gap between occupations:

• Number of invitations allocated to that occupation ceiling
• Occupation demand and current workforce shortages
• Number of EOIs competing in that occupation
• Applicant ranking, based on points score and date of effect
• Composition of the SkillSelect pool, which shifts as EOIs are added, updated or withdrawn
• Invitation round settings set by the Department

No single factor decides the outcome. It is the combination that produces each occupation’s invited score, and this combination shifts between rounds.

How Does the Subclass 189 Invitation Process Work?

Submit an Expression of Interest Through SkillSelect

You start by lodging an EOI in SkillSelect. It records your nominated occupation, skills assessment outcome, English test result, work experience and qualifications. These generate your points score.

How Points and Occupation Affect Your Ranking

Your points score and nominated occupation determine your position. Applicants are ranked within their occupation, highest score first, with date of effect breaking ties.

A higher score generally helps. But your standing is always occupation-specific. A score that is highly competitive in one occupation might sit well below the invited range in another.

What Happens When You Receive an Invitation?

An Invitation to Apply is a milestone, not the finish line. From here:

• You typically have 60 days to lodge your visa application
• You need evidence for every point claimed in your EOI
• Double check your points claims against your documentation before lodging
• Your application still needs to meet the applicable visa requirements, including health and character

An invitation does not remove the need to satisfy the full visa criteria. The Department still assesses your application in full.

When Is the Next Subclass 189 Invitation Round?

The Department of Home Affairs has indicated the next round is expected by 30 September 2026.

This is not a confirmed date. The Department has not published an exact round date, and rounds can happen earlier or later than expected.

Treat any date beyond a confirmed round as an expectation, not a certainty. Check the Department of Home Affairs SkillSelect invitation rounds page directly for official updates.

What Should You Do While Waiting for a Subclass 189 Invitation?

Review and Update Your EOI

Keep your EOI accurate as your circumstances change, not just when you first submit it.

Update it promptly if any of these change:

• Employment
• Qualifications
• English test result
• Relationship status

Check Your Points Claims and Supporting Documents

Every point you claim needs evidence you can produce on request:

• Skills assessment
• English test results
• Proof of employment
• Any other claimed factors

Reviewing this now avoids delays if an invitation arrives and you are working against a 60 day clock.

Improve Your Points Where Possible

Some legitimate ways to strengthen your score:

• Retake an English test for a higher band
• Accrue more skilled work experience
• Include a partner’s skills where applicable

These take time to arrange. Look into them before the next round, not during it. None of this guarantees an invitation. Your occupation’s performance in a given round still matters most.

Prepare Your Visa Documents in Advance

The window to lodge after an invitation is limited. Get these ready in advance:

• Identity documents
• Police clearances
• Health examination arrangements

This helps you respond quickly if invited.

What the Latest Subclass 189 Invitation Round Means for Applicants

The 4 June 2026 round confirms a pattern seen in recent rounds:

• Construction trades cleared near the 65-point floor
• Healthcare and education sat in the middle
• Specialised science and engineering needed the highest scores

Your occupation matters as much as your points score, sometimes more. A score that is comfortably competitive in one occupation might fall short in another.

Past results, including this round, are useful for spotting trends. They are guidance, not a guarantee. Occupation ceilings, EOI pool composition and program planning levels can all shift between rounds.

Keeping your EOI accurate and checking official Department of Home Affairs updates is the most reliable way to stay ready for the next round.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Subclass 189 Invitation Round

How often are Subclass 189 invitation rounds held?
There is no fixed schedule. Rounds happen periodically through the migration program year, depending on available places and government planning levels. Check the Department of Home Affairs SkillSelect page for confirmed dates.

What is the highest points score for a Subclass 189 invitation?
In the 4 June 2026 round, the highest reported score was 100 points, for occupations including chemists and biotechnologists. This reflects that specific round only. Future rounds may differ.

Can I receive an invitation with 65 points?
Possibly, but it is not guaranteed. In the 4 June 2026 round, only a limited number of occupations, mainly certain trades, had invitations issued at 65 points. Most occupations needed more.

Does a previous invitation score guarantee an invitation in the next round?
No. Scores move between rounds based on occupation demand, available invitations and the makeup of the SkillSelect pool at the time. A score that worked last round is not a guarantee for the next one.

What happens after receiving a Subclass 189 invitation?
You generally have 60 days to lodge a complete visa application, supported by evidence for your points claims. The Department then assesses your application against the relevant visa requirements. An invitation does not guarantee a visa will be granted.

Get Professional Help With Your Subclass 189 EOI and Visa Application

Skilled migration applications involve detailed eligibility requirements, points calculations, supporting evidence and procedural steps. It is easy to get one piece wrong, particularly around points claims, skills assessments or work experience records.

Ghothane Lawyers advises clients on Australian immigration matters, including skilled permanent visa applications and skills assessments. This can include:

• Reviewing your EOI
• Checking your points claims against your documentation
• Advising on what is relevant to your situation

Your information is handled with care and confidentiality throughout.

Want to understand your Subclass 189 options? Contact Ghothane Lawyers to discuss your circumstances and get professional immigration advice.

Book Confidential Consultation with Ghothane Lawyers to discuss your options.