The next Subclass 189 Invitation Round is expected by 30 September 2026, according to the Department of Home Affairs.
How the 189 Invitation Round Works
The Subclass 189 visa is a points-tested, permanent visa that doesn’t require employer sponsorship, state nomination, or family sponsorship. The pathway to an invitation follows six steps:
- Nominate an eligible skilled occupation
- Get a suitable skills assessment
- Meet the relevant English language requirement
- Calculate points using evidence you can support
- Submit an EOI through SkillSelect
- Wait for an invitation, then lodge the visa application within 60 calendar days
- Points threshold: 65
- EOI validity: 2 years
- Application window after invitation: 60 calendar days
- No employer, state, or family sponsorship required
How Many Points Do You Need for a 189 Invitation?
65 points is the minimum to submit an EOI, but it doesn’t guarantee an invitation. There’s no single cut-off score across all occupations — results shift based on how many invitations are issued in a round and how many competing EOIs are in the pool for that occupation.
| Points Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Score of 65 | Meets the minimum threshold |
| Score above 65 | Improves ranking, doesn’t guarantee selection |
| Higher English test result | Can lift your EOI score |
| New skilled employment | May add points once it meets the assessing authority’s criteria |
| Partner points | Only count if your partner also meets skill/English/age requirements |
189 vs 190 vs 491: Which Pathway Fits?
Applicants uncertain about their 189 prospects often have a second option through state or regional pathways.
| Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship needed | None | State/territory nomination | State or family sponsorship |
| Points bonus | None | +5 | +15 |
| Visa type | Permanent | Permanent | Provisional (pathway to PR) |
| Best for | High-scoring EOIs in in-demand occupations | Applicants who can meet a state’s occupation list | Applicants willing to live/work regionally |
Eligibility for one pathway doesn’t carry over to another — each has its own occupation list and criteria.
Occupations Commonly Invited in 189 Rounds
Invitation outcomes vary by round, but these occupation categories have historically featured in 189 results:
Healthcare
- Registered Nurse (various specialisations)
- Medical Laboratory Scientist
- Midwife
Engineering
- Civil Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
Trades
- Electrician
- Motor Mechanic
- Fitter (General)
IT & Business
- Software Engineer
- ICT Business Analyst
- Accountant (General)
Occupation ceilings and pro-rata arrangements can change between rounds — always confirm against the current combined skilled occupation list before relying on a specific occupation.
Cost of Applying
Submitting an EOI in SkillSelect is free. Costs apply once you’re invited and lodge the visa application — the base application charge is set by the Department and reviewed periodically, with additional charges for partners and dependent children.
Common Mistakes Before an Invitation
- Letting employment dates in the EOI drift out of sync with payslips and reference letters
- Assuming an older EOI gets priority — it doesn’t, by age alone
- Leaving an expired or soon-to-expire skills assessment on file
- Missing a downgraded English test result that no longer supports the claimed points
- Not monitoring the email address linked to SkillSelect, and missing the 60-day window
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 65 points enough for a 189 visa in 2026?
It meets the minimum threshold to submit an EOI, but it doesn’t guarantee an invitation — competitive occupations often need a higher score.
Is 30 September 2026 a confirmed invitation date?
No. Home Affairs has only said the round will be held by that date, not on it.
Can I update my EOI after submitting it?
Yes. You can update work experience, qualifications, English results, or family details any time before you’re invited.
Does an older EOI get priority over a newer one?
Not automatically. Ranking is based on points score within the relevant occupation, not submission date alone.
Talk to a MARA-Registered Migration Agent
Getting your EOI invitation-ready before the next round takes more than hitting 65 points — it means every claim needs to hold up against your actual evidence. APG’s MARA-registered migration agents review EOIs across all points categories and can flag gaps before they cost you an invitation.
Book a free consultation with a migration agent Australia-wide through APG to check where your EOI stands ahead of the next 189 round.
