Australia’s skilled migration program remains one of the most competitive pathways to permanent residency. The Department of Home Affairs has released the latest results for the Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491) & Family Sponsored.
Understanding these results helps EOI holders judge exactly where their points score stands, and what to do next if they haven’t been invited yet.
Overview of the Latest 189 Invitation Round
The most recent SkillSelect invitation round was held on 4 June 2026. It issued 10,000 invitations for the Subclass 189 visa. The minimum invitation score was 65 points, in line with the legislative floor.
Subclass 189 remains the most sought-after skilled visa. It leads straight to permanent residency, with no employer, family, or state sponsorship required.
Key Highlights of the 189 Invitation Round
- Round date: 4 June 2026
- Invitations issued: 10,000
- Minimum invitation score: 65 points
- 2025–26 programme year total so far: 26,887 invitations across 3 rounds
- No sponsorship required — a direct pathway to permanent residency
A 65-point EOI can still be invited, but only in lower-threshold occupations. Many occupations required 80 points or more this round.
Latest 491 Invitation Round Results
Subclass 491 Family Sponsored invitations run alongside the federal 189 rounds, but in much smaller numbers. The confirmed figure for the 21 August 2025 round was 150 invitations.
Across the full 2025–26 programme year, the Department issued 450 subclass 491 Family Sponsored invitations in total across three rounds. A full per-round breakdown for this stream isn’t always published, so treat individual round numbers with some caution.
Key Highlights of the 491 Invitation Round
- Confirmed invitations (21 Aug 2025 round): 150
- 2025–26 programme year total: 450 across 3 rounds
- Family-sponsored stream only & a relative must sponsor you in a regional area
- A provisional visa, with a pathway to permanent residency via Subclass 191
- Separate from the 491 State Nominated stream, which runs on state timelines
If your occupation has limited invitations under Subclass 189, the regional pathway is worth a closer look.
189 Invitation Round: Occupations With Lower Points Requirements
Trade occupations continue to be invited at the legislative floor. In the 4 June 2026 round, the following cleared at 65 points:
- Bricklayer
- Carpenter
- Carpenter and Joiner
- Electrician (General)
- Electrician (Special Class)
- Glazier
- Plumber (General)
- Roof Plumber
- Solid Plasterer
- Stonemason
- Wall and Floor Tiler
Demand for skilled trades shows no sign of easing, particularly in construction and infrastructure.
Healthcare Occupations in the 189 Invitation Round
Healthcare remains one of the strongest-performing sectors. Most nursing and allied health occupations cleared between 75 and 80 points:
- General Practitioner — 75 points
- Midwife — 75 points
- Registered Nurse (Aged Care) — 75 points
- Registered Nurse (Mental Health) — 75 points
- Occupational Therapist — 75 points
- Physiotherapist — 75 points
- Nurse Practitioner — 80 points
- Chiropractor — 80 points
An ageing population and ongoing workforce shortages mean healthcare occupations are likely to stay in strong demand.
Engineering and Science Occupations Needing Higher Points
Specialised engineering and science occupations sat well above the floor this round, mostly at 90 to 95 points:
- Statistician — 90 points
- Electronics Engineer — 95 points
- Telecommunications Engineer — 95 points
- Biotechnologist — 95 points
- Microbiologist — 95 points
- Life Scientist (General) — 95 points
Applicants in these fields should focus on every available point — English test results, extra work experience, and partner skills all add up.
What the 189 and 491 Invitation Round Results Reveal
1. Skilled trades remain in high demand. Construction and infrastructure shortages keep trade occupations invited at the lowest possible score.
2. Healthcare is a consistent priority. Nurses, GPs, and allied health professionals continue to receive strong invitation numbers.
3. Regional migration still matters. The 491 Family Sponsored stream, though smaller, offers a genuine PR pathway for applicants open to regional Australia.
4. Higher scores are needed in competitive fields. Engineering, science, and specialist medical occupations often need 90+ points to be invited.
State and Territory Nomination Activity
Separate from the federal rounds above, state and territory governments run their own nomination programs for Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 State Nominated. These follow their own timelines and target local workforce shortages.
If your occupation isn’t clearing the federal 189 cut-off, a state nomination pathway is worth checking — it can open up invitations your points score alone wouldn’t reach.
How to Improve Your Chances After an Invitation Round
Improve your English test score. A higher result adds points directly and is one of the fastest ways to move up the ranking.
Add skilled work experience. Extra years in your nominated occupation can lift your score meaningfully.
Pursue state nomination. Nomination adds points and opens an entirely separate invitation pathway.
Keep your EOI current. Update it whenever your circumstances change — an EOI is only active in SkillSelect for two years.
Get your skills assessment done early. It’s a mandatory requirement, and delays here hold up everything else.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming the published minimum guarantees your own invitation — cut-offs move every round.
- Ignoring your date of effect — two EOIs with equal points aren’t ranked equally.
- Letting an EOI sit unchanged for months when a small update could lift your score.
- Overlooking the 491 State Nominated and Subclass 190 pathways, which run separately from the federal rounds above.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the latest 189 invitation round?
4 June 2026. It issued 10,000 invitations with a minimum score of 65 points.
When was the latest 491 invitation round?
491 Family Sponsored invitations run alongside the federal 189 rounds. The last confirmed figure was 150 invitations in the 21 August 2025 round.
What’s the minimum points score for Subclass 189?
The legislative floor is 65 points, but the real cut-off depends on your occupation — some clear at 65, others need 90 or more.
How often are invitation rounds held?
There’s no fixed schedule. Rounds happen periodically through the programme year, depending on how many places remain.
Does a high points score guarantee an invitation?
No. Your occupation still needs to be invited in that specific round, and ties are broken by date of effect.
Final Thoughts
The latest 189 Invitation Round and 491 Invitation Round results confirm what’s been true for a while: trades and healthcare continue to clear at lower points, while engineering and specialist fields need considerably more. Knowing exactly where your occupation and score sit is the difference between waiting indefinitely and building a targeted strategy.
A registered migration agent Australia applicants can trust will look at your actual EOI & not just the published minimum & and tell you honestly whether you’re close to an invitation or need a different approach. Asia Pacific Group (APG) has MARA-registered agents across its Australian offices who track every SkillSelect round. Get in touch through asiapacificgroup.com/contact-us to find your nearest office and book a consultation.
