The Department of Home Affairs has announced that the next invitation round for the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa will be held on 4 June 2026.
Applicants who have submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect are encouraged to review their profiles and ensure all information remains accurate and up to date before the round takes place.
What Applicants Should Do Now
The Department has specifically reminded prospective migrants to ensure:
- Their Expression of Interest has been submitted correctly.
- Their personal details are accurate.
- Skills assessments remain valid.
- English language test results have been entered.
- Any changes in circumstances have been updated in SkillSelect.
Submitting an EOI does not guarantee an invitation. Invitations are issued based on factors including occupation demand, points score, and the number of places available.
Understanding the Expression of Interest Process
An Expression of Interest is required before candidates can be considered for:
- Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa
- Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 491) visa
The process generally involves:
- Creating a SkillSelect account.
- Completing and submitting an EOI.
- Receiving an invitation to apply.
- Lodging a visa application through ImmiAccount within 60 days of invitation.
- Uploading supporting documentation and submitting the application.
Applicants may update their EOI at any time before receiving an invitation.
Minimum Points Requirement
The Subclass 189, 190 and 491 visas operate under Australia’s points-tested migration system.
Applicants must achieve at least 65 points to be eligible to submit an EOI.
Points are awarded for factors such as:
- Age
- Skilled employment experience
- Educational qualifications
- English language ability
- Partner skills and qualifications
While 65 points is the minimum threshold, successful invitations often require significantly higher scores depending on occupation demand and competition within each invitation round.
No Guarantee of Invitation
The Department has again emphasised that meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee an invitation.
In recent years, many occupations have required substantially higher points scores before invitations were issued.
Prospective applicants should continue to improve their competitiveness where possible through:
- Improving English language scores
- Gaining additional skilled work experience
- Obtaining partner points where eligible
- Seeking state nomination pathways where appropriate
Advice for Applicants with Partners
The Department also notes that applicants who do not currently meet competitive points thresholds may benefit from assessing their partner’s eligibility.
In some situations, a partner may have a stronger points score and could potentially submit an Expression of Interest as the primary applicant while including the other partner as a dependent.
Looking Ahead
The 4 June 2026 invitation round will be closely watched by skilled migration applicants both within Australia and overseas.
For many prospective migrants, invitation rounds provide valuable insight into current demand across occupations and the competitiveness of Australia’s skilled migration program.
Applicants should ensure their Expression of Interest is complete and accurate ahead of the upcoming round and remain prepared to respond quickly should an invitation be issued.
We will continue to monitor developments and publish updates once invitation round results become available.
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