The Australia Subclass 189 invitation round scheduled for October 2026 has attracted attention from skilled migrants after the Australian Department of Home Affairs changed its published schedule. The department initially indicated that the next round was expected by 30 September 2026, later revised the expectation to 31 October, and subsequently listed 15 October 2026 as the scheduled date.
The revised date brought the round forward by 16 days compared with the latest published 31 October expectation. Migration agents also began reporting invitations received by their clients on 15 October. However, the complete official results, including the total number of invitations and occupation-specific minimum points scores, were still pending in the reports available at the time of writing.
For applicants waiting in SkillSelect, the key questions are which occupations have reportedly received invitations, what points scores have appeared in early reports, and how the latest developments compare with the previous official round.
Australia Subclass 189 Invitation Round: What Changed in the Schedule?
The scheduling history is important because several dates appeared on the department’s website during the lead-up to the October round.
| Date or timeframe | Published scheduling position |
|---|---|
| By 30 September 2026 | An earlier version of the official website gave this expected timeframe. |
| By 31 October 2026 | The department subsequently revised the expected timeframe. |
| 15 October 2026 | A later version of the official website listed this as the scheduled date. |
The difference between 31 October and 15 October is 16 days. Therefore, the latest published schedule brought the expected round forward rather than postponing it.
The department’s published pages also contained earlier scheduling information, so applicants should distinguish between historical website updates and the latest notice. The official SkillSelect website should remain the primary reference for future announcements and confirmed results.
As of 15 October, migration agents were reporting invitations received by their clients. Nevertheless, an announced date and reports from individual clients are not substitutes for the department’s final round statistics.
What Is the Australia Subclass 189 Visa?
The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), points-tested stream, is an Australian permanent-residency pathway for eligible skilled workers. Unlike the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), it does not require nomination by an Australian state or territory.
Applicants must satisfy the applicable eligibility requirements, including having an eligible occupation, meeting the relevant skills-assessment requirements and demonstrating the necessary English-language proficiency.
A central part of the process is submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. The EOI records an applicant’s qualifications, work experience, English-language ability and other relevant information used to calculate their points score.
Submitting an EOI does not guarantee an invitation. Candidates must wait until they are selected in an invitation round, and the likelihood of receiving an invitation depends on factors such as their occupation, points score and position within the selection process.
Australia Subclass 189 Invitation Round October 2026: Reported Points by Occupation
Following the scheduled date, migration agents began sharing details of invitations received by their clients. These reports provide an early indication of activity, but they represent individual cases rather than the complete national results.
One migration agency, RACC, reported 27 invitations across 18 occupations among its clients. Its reported scores ranged from 75 to 95 points. The agency explicitly stated that its data was not official SkillSelect information and did not establish the minimum score invited for any occupation.
The following table summarises the occupations and scores reported by RACC.
| Occupation | Reported points |
|---|---|
| Chemical Engineer | 95 |
| Microbiologist | 95 |
| Biotechnologist | 90 |
| Multimedia Specialist | 90 |
| Secondary School Teacher | 90 |
| Social Worker | 90 |
| Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher | 90 |
| Architect | 85 |
| Actuary | 85 |
| Food Technologist | 85 |
| Economist | 75–80 |
| Environmental Consultant | 75–80 |
| Speech Pathologist | 80 |
| Registered Nurse (Medical) | 75 |
| Registered Nurses not elsewhere classified | 75 |
| Registered Nurse (Aged Care) | 75 |
| Registered Nurse (Perioperative) | 75 |
| Solicitor | 75 |
These are reported invitation scores, not confirmed occupation cut-offs. For example, an applicant receiving an invitation at 75 points does not necessarily mean that 75 was the lowest score invited for that occupation nationwide.
Similarly, occupations missing from this table may still have received invitations. The agency’s figures cover only the invitations reported by its own clients.
Applicants should therefore avoid making major migration decisions based exclusively on preliminary tables circulated by migration agencies or on social media.
What Do the Reported Scores Mean for Skilled Migrants?
Although the preliminary reports are incomplete, they illustrate why applicants need to evaluate their prospects according to their nominated occupation rather than relying on one universal points target.
Healthcare occupations
RACC reported invitations at 75 points for Registered Nurse (Medical), Registered Nurse (Aged Care), Registered Nurse (Perioperative) and Registered Nurses not elsewhere classified.
These results are encouraging for applicants whose profiles are comparable, but they do not establish a guaranteed invitation score. Other candidates may have different skills-assessment outcomes, EOI dates or points profiles.
Teaching and social work
The same agency reported invitations at 90 points for Secondary School Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers and Social Workers.
These scores should not be interpreted as official minimum requirements. They reflect individual invitations observed by one agency and may not capture the full range of candidates invited during the round.
Engineering and specialist occupations
Chemical Engineers and Microbiologists appeared at 95 points in the agency’s reports. Biotechnologists were reported at 90 points, while Architects and Actuaries appeared at 85 points.
Such results demonstrate that points requirements can differ considerably between occupations. The competitiveness of an occupation cannot be assessed accurately from the total points score alone without considering official round results and the relevant selection criteria.
Why trade applicants should verify their occupation-specific results
Some preliminary migration updates reported invitations for construction trades at 65 points. However, these reports were not consistent across every agency’s sample, and RACC’s published list did not establish a nationwide trade cut-off.
Applicants in construction and other trade occupations should wait for the official occupation-level results rather than assuming that every trade was invited at the same score.
Comparison With the Previous Official Invitation Round
The last completed official round published before October took place on 4 June 2026. The Department of Home Affairs recorded 10,000 invitations for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), with a tie-break date of 24 April 2026.
The official June results demonstrate the variation in minimum points scores between occupations.
| Occupation | June 2026 official minimum score |
|---|---|
| Carpenter | 65 |
| Bricklayer | 65 |
| Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber | 65 |
| Audiologist | 75 |
| Architect | 85 |
| Actuary | 90 |
| Biotechnologist | 95 |
| Urologist | 100 |
The June scores provide a useful historical benchmark, but they should not be presented as the October results. Invitation requirements may change between rounds depending on the number of invitations issued, the distribution of EOIs and the occupation-specific selection outcomes.
Until the department publishes the October results, applicants cannot reliably determine how the new round compares with June in terms of invitation volume or official occupation cut-offs.
Is 65 Points Enough for the Subclass 189 Visa?
The minimum points threshold for the points-tested Skilled Independent visa is 65. However, meeting this threshold does not guarantee an invitation.
The threshold is an eligibility benchmark for the points test, not a promise that applicants with 65 points will be selected. The points required in practice can vary by occupation and invitation round.
An applicant’s points score may include factors such as:
- Age.
- English-language proficiency.
- Skilled employment experience.
- Educational qualifications.
- Other eligible factors under the points test.
Candidates should calculate their scores carefully and ensure that every claim in their EOI is accurate and supported by appropriate evidence.
A higher score may improve an applicant’s competitive position, but it does not independently guarantee selection. Applicants must also satisfy the visa’s other requirements.
How Does the SkillSelect Tie-Break System Work?
When candidates have the same points score, the date and time at which they achieved that score can affect their ranking. This is commonly referred to as the tie-break date or date of effect.
For example, two applicants may each have 85 points, but the candidate who reached that score earlier may be ranked ahead of another candidate, depending on the applicable selection process.
The previous official round’s tie-break date was 24 April 2026. The corresponding date for the October round should not be assumed until the department publishes its official results.
Applicants should retain accurate records of their EOI and any changes to their points claims. If their circumstances change, they should update their EOI appropriately before receiving an invitation.
What Should Applicants Do After the October Round?
Applicants who have already submitted an EOI should review their information and prepare for the next steps.
1. Check that your EOI is up to date. Confirm that your personal details, qualifications, English test results and employment information are accurate.
2. Verify your skills assessment. Ensure that the assessment relates to the occupation nominated in your EOI and meets the applicable requirements.
3. Review your points calculation. Do not claim points unless you satisfy the relevant criteria and can provide supporting evidence.
4. Monitor official announcements. Check the Department of Home Affairs’ invitation-round page for the total number of invitations, minimum points scores and tie-break information.
5. Consider alternative skilled-migration pathways. Depending on your circumstances, state-nominated or regional pathways may be worth examining. These have their own eligibility criteria and should not be treated as automatic alternatives.
6. Prepare your documents. Keep qualifications, employment evidence, English test results and other relevant records organised so that you can respond promptly if invited.
If an applicant receives an invitation, the Department’s guidance generally provides 60 days to lodge the visa application. The applicant should follow the deadline and instructions stated in their own invitation.
FAQs : Australia Subclass 189 Invitation Round
When was the Australia Subclass 189 Invitation Round scheduled?
The latest published schedule listed 15 October 2026. An earlier version had stated that the next round was expected by 31 October 2026, meaning the published date was brought forward by 16 days.
Was the October Australia Subclass 189 Invitation Roundofficially brought forward?
The published schedule changed from an expected date of 31 October to a scheduled date of 15 October. This supports describing the date as brought forward. The earlier website history also included an expected timeframe of 30 September.
How many invitations were issued in Australia Subclass 189 Invitation Round October 2026?
The official total was still pending in the sources available at the time of writing. Individual agencies reported invitations received by their own clients, but those samples do not establish the total number issued nationally.
What was the lowest reported score in the Australia Subclass 189 Invitation Round October 2026?
The lowest score in RACC’s reported client sample was 75 points. Other preliminary reports included different occupations and scores. Neither figure should be treated as the official nationwide minimum.
Does a score of 65 guarantee an invitation?
No. Sixty-five points is the minimum threshold for the points test, but applicants must still receive an invitation and satisfy all applicable visa requirements.
Does the Subclass 189 visa require state nomination?
No. The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), points-tested stream, does not require state or territory nomination.
Where can applicants check the official results?
Applicants should consult the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ SkillSelect invitation-round page. Official results take precedence over preliminary migration-agent reports.
Final Takeaway On Australia Subclass 189 Invitation Round
The October 2026 Australia Subclass 189 invitation round drew attention after the Department of Home Affairs changed the published schedule from an expectation of 31 October to a scheduled date of 15 October. The change brought the date forward by 16 days, while migration agents subsequently reported invitations received by their clients.
Early reports included invitations across healthcare, teaching, engineering, professional and other occupations. However, these preliminary figures do not establish the official minimum points scores or total invitations issued.
For skilled migrants, the most important next step is to monitor the official results, maintain an accurate EOI and assess eligibility using verified information rather than relying on unofficial scores as guaranteed cut-offs.
Source : Department of Home Affairs — Invitation Rounds
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