An Analysis of the Australian Subclass 189 Invitation Round Jun. 2026

The recent invitation round for the Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189) issued 10,000 invitation to conclude the 25-26 fiscal year, presents a comprehensive overview of Australia’s targeted skilled migration intake across multiple sectors, including trades, healthcare, engineering, sciences, and professional services. The published data outlines the minimum points scores required for a wide range of occupations, reflecting distinct thresholds across different occupational groups.

Low-Threshold Occupations (Points Scores Below 70)

The lowest points threshold in this invitation round was established at 65 points, which is the statutory minimum required to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI). This score band was exclusively populated by technical and construction trades, including:

• Carpentry and Joinery: Carpenter, Joiner, and Carpenter and Joiner.

• Plumbing: Plumber (General), Roof Plumber, and Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber.

• Wet Trades and Finishes: Bricklayer, Wall and Floor Tiler, Glazier, Fibrous Plasterer, and Solid Plasterer.

• Electrical and Other Trades: Electrician (General), Electrician (Special Class), Drainer, and Stonemason.

A slightly higher threshold of 70 points was recorded for Gasfitters.

Mid-Range Occupations (70 to 80 Points)

The points band between 70 and 80 points primarily comprised healthcare professionals, educators, social services workers, and specialized technical professions.

75 Points

• Nursing and Midwifery: Registered Nurses across almost all specialized fields—including Aged Care, Community Health, Critical Care and Emergency, Medical, Mental Health, Perioperative, and Surgical—as well as Midwives.

• Allied Health and Medical Practitioners: General Practitioners, Audiologists, Clinical Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Podiatrists, and Speech Pathologists.

• Education and Social Work: Secondary School Teachers, Special Needs Teachers, and Social Workers.

80 Points

• Engineering and Resource Sectors: Mining Engineers (excluding Petroleum), Petroleum Engineers, Engineering Managers, and Electrical Engineering Technicians/Draftspersons.

• Scientific Roles: Agricultural Consultants, Agricultural Scientists, Environmental Consultants, Geophysicists, and Hydrogeologists.

• Management and Professional Services: Management Consultants, Solicitors, Valuers, Land Economists, and Child Care Centre Managers.

• Specialized Trades: Automotive Electricians, Cabinetmakers, Fitters (General), Metal Fabricators, and Welders (First Class).

• Medical Specialists: Cardiologists, Psychiatrists, and Nurse Practitioners.

• Athletics and Arts: Footballers, Tennis Coaches, Music Directors, and Arts Administrators.

High-Threshold Occupations (85 Points and Above)

Occupations requiring 85 points or more comprised highly specialized medical disciplines, advanced scientific research roles, architectural professions, and select engineering fields.

85 Points

Architects, Landscape Architects, Cartographers, Chemists, Food Technologists, Meteorologists, and Sonographers met the threshold at 85 points. Medical specialists at this level included Dermatologists, Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologists, Gastroenterologists, and Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

90 Points

Actuaries and Statisticians were invited at a minimum score of 90 points.

95 Points

Several advanced scientific research roles required a minimum of 95 points, including Biotechnologists, Life Scientists (General), Marine Biologists, and Microbiologists. High-level technical and engineering roles at this score included Electronics Engineers, Telecommunications Engineers, Telecommunications Network Engineers, and Multimedia Specialists.

100 Points

The highest points threshold recorded in this invitation round was 100 points, required for Urologists.

Non-Represented Occupations

Several historically high-volume and prominent occupations did not receive invitations in this round. Notably absent from the data were:

• Information Technology (IT): Software Engineers, Developer Programmers, Analyst Programmers, ICT Business Analysts, Systems Analysts, and Computer Network and Systems Engineers.

• Finance and Commerce: Accountants (General, Management, and Taxation), External Auditors, and Marketing Specialists.

• Major Civil Engineering Fields: Civil Engineers, Structural Engineers, and Mechanical Engineers.

• Early Childhood Education: Early Childhood (Pre-school) Teachers, which were excluded despite the inclusion of Secondary and Special Education Teachers.

• Hospitality Trades: Chefs and Cooks.

The next round of invite, which is also the first for the 26-27 fiscal year, is expected to be held on 30th Sep. 2026.