Australian skilled‑migration applicants have received a long‑awaited update. The Department of Home Affairs has recently updated SkillSelect with new information regarding 189 invitation rounds: The next invitation round for the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa is expected to be held by 30 September 2026. Per official guidance, the next round of invitations for the 189 Skilled Independent Visa will take place no later than 30 September 2026. This round is of particular significance for applicants waiting in the SkillSelect pool.
Why this round draws attention
First, this is a major invitation round under the new 2026‑27 migration program year. The Australian Government has announced the 2026‑27 Permanent Migration Program planning ceiling of 185,000 places, continuing to prioritise skilled migration. The Skilled Stream accounts for approximately 70 % of the total migration program. A new program year means fresh migration‑program allocations become available. Quota headroom is generally greater at the start of the program year compared with later months. Accordingly, the 189 round scheduled before the end of September is widely viewed as one to watch this program year. Important caveat: Ample new‑financial‑year quota does not guarantee large‑scale invitation releases. The final number of invitations, target occupations and occupation‑specific cut‑off points will only be known once Home Affairs publishes the official Invitation Round Results.
What determines 189 invitations
The 189 Skilled Independent visa requires no state‑government nomination. Applicants must lodge an EOI via SkillSelect and satisfy occupation, skill‑assessment and points‑test criteria. The statutory minimum threshold remains 65 points, yet hitting 65 points only meets basic eligibility and does not guarantee an invitation.Actual invitation outcomes are shaped by multiple factors:
- Occupation group
- EOI points score
- Date of EOI submission or update
- Volume of invitations issued in the given round
- Department‑of‑Home‑Affairs occupation‑specific invitation priorities
Rather than simply asking “how many points do I need for a 189 invite”, applicants should assess: how competitive is my occupation combined with my points score for the upcoming round. With just over one month remaining until the end of September, here is what you should do now.
Recommended actions ahead of the September round
If you already satisfy 189 eligibility criteria, passive waiting is not advised. The following applicant groups should urgently review their EOI submission:
- You hold a valid skill assessment but have not yet lodged an EOI
If English proficiency, work‑experience and qualification requirements are largely finalised, confirm your calculated points and application strategy without delay.
- Your EOI is already active in the pool
Double‑check details covering English test results, work‑experience claims, educational qualifications and partner points. Identify any points you can update or add.
- Your points sit within a competitive borderline range
Explore options such as NAATI accreditation, lifting English scores or claiming partner points. Do not pin all hopes on a single invitation round.
- You are also eligible for 190 / 491 visas 189 is not the sole skilled‑migration pathway.
Where your occupation and personal profile permit, keep track of state‑based 190 and 491 policies and adopt a multi‑path migration strategy.
Key signals from this official update
One message is clear: 189 invitation rounds for the 2026‑27 program year are underway. For applicants who have completed skill assessments, English testing and EOI lodgement, the next month‑plus represents a critical preparation window. If you are exploring 189 / 190 / 491 options and are unsure which pathway suits your nominated occupation, or want to evaluate how competitive your current points are under the new program year, complete advance planning covering occupations, points and state‑nomination alternatives.
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