The Australian Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that the next invitation round for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is expected to be held by 30 September 2026.
The announcement is an important update for skilled migration applicants who currently have an active Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect or are preparing to submit one.
Home Affairs has also specifically reminded applicants to ensure their EOI is up to date and that all information provided is accurate ahead of the upcoming invitation round.
Next Subclass 189 Invitation Round Expected by 30 September 2026
According to the Department of Home Affairs:
“The next invitation round for the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa is expected to be held by 30 September 2026.”
Importantly, this does not mean that the invitation round has been confirmed for 30 September itself.
The wording “by 30 September 2026” means the Department expects the next subclass 189 invitation round to take place on or before that date.
At this stage, Home Affairs has not published the exact date of the upcoming round, the number of invitations that will be issued or the invitation scores for individual occupations.
Applicants should therefore avoid relying on unofficial predictions regarding invitation numbers or minimum points.
What Is the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)?
The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is a permanent skilled migration visa for eligible skilled workers.
Unlike the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), subclass 189 does not require nomination from an Australian state or territory. It is also not an employer-sponsored visa.
To be considered for an invitation, applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect.
SkillSelect is the Australian Government’s online system used by skilled workers to express their interest in applying for skilled migration visas, including subclasses 189, 190 and 491.
How Does the Subclass 189 Invitation Process Work?
Applicants seeking a subclass 189 visa must first meet the relevant eligibility requirements and submit an EOI through SkillSelect.
Information provided in the EOI may include an applicant’s:
- age;
- English language proficiency;
- educational qualifications;
- skilled employment experience;
- Skills Assessment; and
- other information relevant to their points score.
SkillSelect then provides an indicative points score based on the information entered by the applicant.
An EOI is not a visa application. Applicants must receive an invitation before they can lodge a subclass 189 visa application.
Is 65 Points Enough to Receive a Subclass 189 Invitation?
Subclass 189 is a points-tested visa.
Home Affairs confirms that applicants for subclasses 189, 190 and 491 must meet or exceed the minimum points threshold of 65 points.
However, achieving 65 points does not guarantee an invitation.
Invitation outcomes can be competitive, and the points required to receive an invitation may be higher than the minimum threshold.
Applicants should therefore distinguish between:
Minimum points threshold: 65 points
and
Points required to receive an invitation: This can vary and is not guaranteed simply by reaching 65 points.
Home Affairs has not yet announced the invitation scores for the upcoming subclass 189 round expected by 30 September 2026.
What Should Applicants Do Before the Next 189 Invitation Round?
Home Affairs has specifically advised applicants to ensure their EOI is current and that all information provided is accurate.
Applicants who already have an EOI in SkillSelect should review it carefully before the upcoming invitation round.
An EOI can generally be updated before an invitation is received if an applicant’s circumstances change.
Home Affairs specifically advises applicants to update their EOI if they have:
- gained new work experience;
- received a higher educational qualification;
- improved their English language proficiency;
- obtained a new Skills Assessment; or
- experienced a change in family circumstances.
These changes may affect an applicant’s points score and potentially their competitiveness for an invitation.
Check Your Skills Assessment and Employment Claims
A valid Skills Assessment is an important part of the EOI process.
Before submitting an EOI, applicants generally need to obtain a Skills Assessment in their nominated occupation from the relevant Australian assessing authority.
Applicants should also carefully review the employment information included in their EOI.
Home Affairs requires applicants to provide details of their work history, including their position, employer, employment dates and whether the employment was related to their nominated occupation.
Applicants should ensure that any points claimed can be supported by appropriate evidence if they later receive an invitation and proceed with a visa application.
How Long Does an EOI Remain Active?
An EOI generally remains active in SkillSelect for two years from the date it is submitted.
During this period, applicants can update their EOI before receiving an invitation.
However, once an applicant has received an invitation to apply for a visa, the EOI can no longer be updated.
Applicants with an older EOI should therefore check that it remains active and that all information reflects their current circumstances.
What Happens If You Receive a Subclass 189 Invitation?
If an applicant receives an invitation through SkillSelect, Home Affairs provides 60 days from the date of invitation to complete and submit the visa application online.
This makes preparation before an invitation particularly important.
Applicants should ensure that the information and points claimed in their EOI can be supported by the documents required for the visa application.
An invitation itself does not automatically result in a visa grant. The applicant must still lodge a valid visa application and satisfy the applicable subclass 189 requirements.
Has Home Affairs Announced the Occupations or Invitation Scores?
No.
At the time of publication, Home Affairs has confirmed the expected timing of the next subclass 189 invitation round but has not announced:
- the exact invitation date;
- the total number of invitations to be issued;
- which occupations will receive invitations; or
- the invitation score for each occupation.
Applicants should therefore be cautious about online predictions regarding expected invitation points or occupations.
Official invitation outcomes should be assessed once they are released by the Department of Home Affairs.
What Should Subclass 189 Applicants Do Now?
With the next subclass 189 invitation round expected by 30 September 2026, applicants should use this period to review their SkillSelect profile carefully.
In particular, applicants should ensure that:
- their EOI remains active;
- all information in the EOI is accurate;
- their Skills Assessment details are current;
- English language results are correctly recorded;
- employment experience has been updated;
- educational qualifications are correctly entered; and
- any changes in personal or family circumstances have been reflected where required.
Applicants should not increase their claimed points unless they genuinely meet the relevant criteria and can provide evidence to support those claims.
Need Assistance with Subclass 189 Skilled Migration?
The upcoming subclass 189 invitation round may present an important opportunity for eligible skilled migration applicants.
However, receiving an invitation depends on a range of factors, including occupation eligibility, Skills Assessment, points and the information recorded in SkillSelect.
EMK Global Education & Migration can assist with Skills Assessment, points review, EOI preparation and skilled migration pathways, including subclasses 189, 190 and 491.
Contact EMK Global for an assessment of your circumstances and available skilled migration options.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general information and educational purposes only. It does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Visa requirements and policies may change, and individual circumstances vary. Please seek advice from a registered migration agent or qualified professional before making any visa or immigration decisions.
Source: Department of Home Affairs