SkillSelect · Invitation rounds · Checked 31 August 2026
SkillSelect invitation rounds — results tracker
Short answer: the last round (4 June 2026) issued 10,000 subclass 189 invitations with minimum scores from 65 to 100 points by occupation. The Department has indicated the next Skilled Independent (189) round is expected by 30 September 2026, under the 2026-27 program year. Every round is tracked below with counts, cut-offs and what they mean.
By Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536) since 2015 · WIDEN, Sydney · Reviewed 31 August 2026
Keshab Chapagain · MARN 1576536 · Registered since 2015 - Last round
- 4 June 2026
- 189 invitations
- 10,000
- Minimum points
- 65–100 by occupation
- Next round
- expected by 30 Sept 2026
Every tracked round
| Round | Year | 189 invitations | 491 (family) | Min points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 June 2026 | 2025-26 | 10,000 | — | 65–100 | Full results → |
| 13 November 2025 | 2025-26 | not published | — | 65–100 | Full results → |
| 21 August 2025 | 2025-26 | 6,887 | 150 | 65–110 | Full results → |
| 7 November 2024 | 2024-25 | 15,000 | 0 | 65 | Full results → |
Counts and cut-offs as published by the Department of Home Affairs on its SkillSelect pages; where the Department has not yet published a round's totals, the row says "not published" rather than guessing. Checked 31 August 2026.
How invitation rounds actually work
You lodge an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect with a points claim. In each round the Department invites the highest-scoring EOIs, occupation group by occupation group, until the round's quota is used. Two things decide your fate: your points score against your occupation's cut-off, and — at a contested score — the tie-break: the EOI with the earlier date of effect wins. An invitation gives you 60 days to lodge the visa application.
Three practical consequences: score yourself honestly before banking on a round (points calculator); lodge your EOI early because queue position matters at the margin; and if your occupation cleared at 90+ in the last two rounds, a 65-point claim is not a plan — look at state nomination or the regional 491, which add 5–15 points.
General information only, not migration advice. Round outcomes are historical facts and no indicator of any future round. Migration advice is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) after a paid consultation under the Migration Agents Code of Conduct.
Get the next round's results — and an honest read on yours
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When is the next SkillSelect invitation round?
The Department has indicated the next Skilled Independent (189) round is expected by 30 September 2026, under the 2026-27 program year. Rounds are not pre-announced to the day — the Department runs them when program planning requires. The reliable pattern since 2024-25 is one to three large rounds per program year. Register your interest below and we will email you when the next round's results are out.
What was the last 189 invitation round result?
The 4 June 2026 round issued 10,000 Skilled Independent (subclass 189) invitations, with minimum scores from 65 to 100 points depending on occupation. The tie-break date was 24 April 2026.
How many points do I need for a 189 invitation?
The legislative minimum is 65, and in recent rounds many construction and building trades were invited at exactly 65. But most professional occupations cleared at 80-95, and specialist medical roles at up to 100-110. The realistic answer depends on your occupation and the size of the round — check the round pages here for your occupation group, and score yourself with the points calculator.
What is the tie-break rule?
When more EOIs share the cut-off score than there are invitations, SkillSelect invites the EOIs with the earliest date of effect first. That is why lodging a complete EOI early matters: at a contested score, months of queue position decide who gets invited.
Do these rounds include the 190 and 491 state-nominated visas?
No — state and territory 190/491 nominations are issued continuously by each government under their own criteria, not in these rounds. The SkillSelect rounds cover the Skilled Independent 189 and, in some rounds, the family-sponsored stream of the 491. For state nomination, see the state nomination guides.
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