Subclass 189 Invitation Rounds: October 2026 Tracker and What the Points Mean
The Skilled Independent visa lets invited workers live and work permanently anywhere in Australia, with no employer or state sponsor. This guide shows where the latest round stands, and how to prepare an EOI that is ready when a round opens.
Latest 189 invitation round: 15 October 2026
The Department of Home Affairs held a Skilled Independent invitation round on 15 October 2026, described as the first department-run 189 round of the 2026-27 programme year and the first since 4 June 2026. 20,000 EOIs were invited
The SkillSelect invitation rounds page has the results.
How a 189 invitation works
You submit an EOI in SkillSelect, claiming points for age, English, qualifications, skilled work experience and other factors. To be considered for a 189 invitation you must meet or exceed the 65-point threshold, but meeting it does not guarantee an invitation. Home Affairs states that there is no guarantee you will be invited even if you reach the minimum.
If you are invited, you have 60 days from the date of the invitation to lodge your visa application online. You must be able to evidence every claim in your EOI, so a points claim you cannot document is a risk, not an advantage.
- Skills assessment first. Your occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list and you need a positive skills assessment from the assessing authority for that occupation.
- English evidence. Points for English depend on the test result, so book a test early if your score is close to a points band.
- Evidence of experience. Employment references, payslips and tax records need to match the dates and duties you claim.
- Keep the EOI current. Update it when your age band, English score or experience changes.
You can see how each factor scores in our GSM page. Our guide to moving to Australia without a job offer explains the wider pathway options.
Processing priorities for 189 applications from 19 September 2026
Once you lodge, the order in which the department processes your application follows Ministerial Direction 122, which took effect on 19 September 2026 and covers provisional and permanent skilled visas, including the 189. Applications are processed in this order of priority:
- Applications relating to the Construction, Healthcare, Teaching, Agriculture, Aquaculture, Fishing and Resources sectors, or Australia’s law enforcement and defence interests.
- Applications where the applicant was in Australia when they lodged.
- Applications where the primary applicant was outside Australia when they lodged and the application is not combined with another person’s application.
- All other applications.
What this means for skilled workers
- Check your occupation before your points. An occupation that is not on the relevant list cannot be invited, whatever your score. Our skilled occupation lists explain the lists.
- Plan for more than one pathway. A 189 invitation is competitive. A state-nominated 190 or 491 EOI can run alongside it. Read our guide to state nomination fees and invitation rounds for 2026-27.
- Budget for the charge. The primary applicant charge for the 189 is A$6,135 for lodgements from 1 July 2026.
How often are subclass 189 invitation rounds held?
There is no fixed calendar. The department decides when to run a round and how many invitations to issue. The reported 15 October 2026 round came more than four months after the previous round on 4 June 2026.
What is the minimum points score for the 189?
The minimum is 65 points, but invitations are competitive, and occupations with many applicants need higher scores. Use the official round results, not the minimum, to judge your chances.
How long do I have to apply after an invitation?
You have 60 days from the date of the invitation to lodge the visa application.
Can I be in a 189 round and a state nomination pool at the same time?
Yes. Your EOI can be considered for different visa subclasses, though some states require an EOI that targets only their nomination. Read each state’s requirements before you edit your EOI.
Get your 189 EOI checked before the next round
Australian Shores reviews your occupation, skills assessment route, English evidence and points claims before you submit or update an EOI. Start with a visa eligibility assessment and we will tell you whether the 189, a state-nominated visa or an employer-sponsored route suits you best.