Key takeaways
- The 15 October 2026 round was the first subclass 189 round of the 2026-27 program year. It issued 20,000 invitations, against 10,000 on 4 June 2026.
- No Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) family sponsored invitations were issued.
- Minimum scores ranged from 65 to 100 points. Registered nurses, GPs and physiotherapists needed 70; carpenters, electricians, solicitors and economists 65.
- Most ICT, engineering and accounting occupations were not invited in this 189 round, so state nomination (190 or 491) remains the main route for those profiles.
- Invited applicants have 60 days to lodge their visa application.
The Department of Home Affairs held a SkillSelect invitation round on 15 October 2026. It was the first Skilled Independent (subclass 189) round of the 2026-27 program year and the first since 4 June 2026. The results, including the minimum points and date of effect for each occupation, were published on the SkillSelect invitation rounds page.
The numbers
| Round | Subclass 189 invitations | 491 family sponsored |
|---|---|---|
| 15 October 2026 | 20,000 | 0 |
| 4 June 2026 | 10,000 | 0 |
| 13 November 2025 | 10,000 | 0 |
Minimum scores ranged from 65 to 100 points across the occupations invited. Where many people had the same score, Home Affairs used the date of effect of each EOI as the tie-breaker, so an earlier EOI at the same score was invited first.
Points needed for common occupations
| Occupation | Minimum points |
|---|---|
| ICT Security Specialist | 100 |
| Electronics Engineer | 95 |
| Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher | 90 |
| Secondary School Teacher | 80 |
| Social Worker | 80 |
| Medical Laboratory Scientist | 80 |
| Registered Nurse (all specialisations) | 70 |
| General Practitioner | 70 |
| Physiotherapist | 70 |
| Carpenter, Electrician (General) | 65 |
| Solicitor, Economist | 65 |
Why some occupations were favoured
Since 19 September 2026 Ministerial Direction 122 sets processing priorities for permanent and provisional skilled visas, including the 189, 190 and 491. Health, construction, teaching, resources and agriculture sit in the top tier. Invitations in this round follow the same pattern: health, teaching and construction trades were invited at lower scores, while most ICT, engineering and accounting occupations were not invited.
What this means for applicants from India
- 1If you are a nurse, doctor, allied health professional, teacher or trades worker, keep your EOI current. Scores of 65 to 80 were enough in this round.
- 2If you are in ICT, engineering or accounting, plan around state nomination (190 or 491). The extra 5 or 15 points and the state occupation lists matter more than waiting for a 189.
- 3Check every claim in your EOI. Points for age, English, work experience and partner skills must be provable on the day you are invited, or the visa can be refused.
- 4Watch your age and English test dates. Turning 33, 40 or 45, or an English result expiring, can drop your score between rounds.
- 5If you are invited, you have 60 days to lodge. For this round that is about 14 December 2026, so have police certificates, medicals and identity documents in progress.
Check your points before the next round
See your 189, 190 and 491 score and what could raise it.
General information only, not advice for your situation. Rules, fees and deadlines change; we confirm what applies at your consultation.
Frequently asked questions
How many 189 invitations were issued on 15 October 2026?
What was the lowest score invited?
Were software engineers or accountants invited?
How long do I have to lodge after an invitation?
When is the next round?
Does a higher score always mean an invitation?
Official sources
- Department of Home Affairs — SkillSelect invitation rounds
- ImmiTrend — 189 and 491 invitation rounds data (community tracker, not official)
General information only, current at the date shown. It is not immigration advice for your circumstances. Information on this site is general guidance only and not legal, migration or investment advice. Rules, fees and occupation lists change frequently — always confirm current requirements with the relevant government authority before acting.
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Who will assist you
Sumit Kumar
Chartered Accountant & Australian Registered Migration Agent · MARN 1803385
I migrated from India to Melbourne as a skilled migrant in 2005 and became an Australian citizen in 2010, so I know first-hand what it takes to rebuild a career and a life in a new country — the paperwork and the waiting, and also the job search, the loneliness and the pressure of starting over far from home. Since 2013 I have advised individuals, families and businesses on migration and cross-border moves, combining migration casework with a Chartered Accountant's view of tax, funds and business structure.
