189 Visa Invitation Round October 2026 Explained
Australia issued its first Skilled Independent (189) visa invitations for 2026-27. Here's what early points trends suggest and how to improve your chances.
Jacob Miller
Last updated
A New Round, A New Reason for Hope
Australia just held its first Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa invitation round for the 2026-27 program year, on 15 October. Thousands of skilled workers around the world now have a fresh shot at a 189 invitation this year.
How the Invitation Round Actually Works
Candidates submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, Australia's online system for skilled visas, and are ranked by points. Home Affairs invites the highest-scoring candidates first, occupation by occupation, until that round's places are filled.
What Early Trends Are Showing
Early community reports suggest invited scores ranged from the mid-60s for in-demand trades up to the mid-90s for some competitive professional occupations, though Home Affairs had not yet confirmed final cut-offs for this round. Official invitation numbers and occupation ceilings are published on the SkillSelect results page once confirmed, so it's worth checking there directly.
A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Apply
Not every occupation needs the highest score to clear an invitation round — many trades and regional-shortage roles are invited well below the competitive professions. If your occupation is in a highly competitive field, pairing your EOI with a state or territory nomination can add valuable points and open an extra pathway.
What To Do Next
Another invitation round will follow in the coming weeks, so there's no need to wait idly if you weren't selected this time. Improving your English test score, updating your skills assessment, or adding a state nomination before the next round are all moves that can genuinely raise your rank.
What is the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)?
It's a permanent visa for skilled workers who are invited based on points, with no need for an employer or state government to sponsor you. It lets you and your family live and work anywhere in Australia as permanent residents from the day it's granted.
How do I know if I was invited in this round?
Check your SkillSelect account directly — Home Affairs notifies invited candidates there, and you then have 60 days to lodge your visa application. Logging into SkillSelect regularly is the only reliable way to confirm your status, rather than relying on unofficial reports.
What if I wasn't invited this time?
Your EOI stays active, and you can keep improving it before the next round. Retesting your English, getting a fresh skills assessment, or picking up a state nomination can all lift your score in time for the next invitation round.
See the Latest SkillSelect Invitation Results →
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