Latest update: 20 October 2026 (Community-reported results. Official SkillSelect results not yet released)
The Department of Home Affairs held the Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) invitation round on Thursday, 15 October 2026. This Subclass 189 invitation round is the first round of the 2026-27 program year, and the first round since 4 June 2026. Invitations started to arrive from around 9 AM Melbourne time, in batches throughout the day.
Home Affairs has not yet published the official invitation total, tie-break date, or minimum score for each occupation. This article compiles the points that applicants and migration agencies have reported so far. We will replace these figures with the official SkillSelect data when Home Affairs releases it.
Next 189 Visa Invitation Round: Not Yet Announced
As of 20 October 2026, Home Affairs has not announced the date of the next Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) invitation round. If you received an invitation on 15 October 2026, your deadline to lodge is 14 December 2026.
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Last updated: October 2026
Subclass 189 Invitation Round October 2026: Key Facts
The October 2026 Subclass 189 invitation round followed a long gap. Home Affairs first expected the round by 30 September 2026. Around 1 October, the SkillSelect page changed the timing to “by 31 October 2026”. On 9 October 2026, Home Affairs confirmed the fixed date of 15 October.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa subclass | Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189) |
| Round date | Thursday, 15 October 2026 |
| Program year | 2026-27 (first round of the year) |
| Previous round | 4 June 2026 (10,000 invitations, tie-break 24/04/2026) |
| Lowest score reported | 65 points (trades) |
| Official total and tie-break date | Not yet published by Home Affairs |
| Lodgement deadline for 15 October invitations | 14 December 2026 |
| Subclass 491 Family Sponsored invitations | None reported |
Reported Invitations by Occupation: 15 October 2026
The table below lists the lowest invited score reported for each occupation in the 15 October 2026 round. The data combines round-up reports from two Australian migration agencies (Aussizz Group and Trades Australia) with invitations that applicants posted in the r/AusVisa community thread. The last column shows the official minimum score from the 4 June 2026 round, for comparison.
Important: each score is the lowest individual invitation reported, not the official cut-off. The official minimum score for an occupation may be lower than the score reported here.
| Occupation | Lowest reported score (15 Oct 2026) | Official minimum (4 Jun 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Accountant (General) | 100* | Not listed |
| Actuary | 85 | 90 |
| Agricultural Consultant | 80 | 80 |
| Agricultural Scientist | 85 | 80 |
| Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic | 65 | 80 |
| Architect | 85 | 85 |
| Arts Administrator or Manager | 80 | 80 |
| Automotive Electrician | 70 | 80 |
| Biochemist | 95 | Not listed |
| Biotechnologist | 95 | 95 |
| Cabinetmaker | 65 | 80 |
| Carpenter | 65 | 65 |
| Chemical Engineer | 85 | Not listed |
| Chemist | 85 | 85 |
| Civil Engineer | 80* | Not listed |
| Construction Manager | 90 | Not listed |
| Construction Project Manager | 80 | 80 |
| Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist | 85 | 85 |
| Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher | 90 | Not listed |
| Economist | 85 | 80 |
| Electrical Engineering Draftsperson | 80 | 80 |
| Electrician (General) | 65 | 65 |
| Electronic Equipment Trades Worker | 65 | 80 |
| Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (Special Class) | 70 | 80 |
| Electronics Engineer | 95 | 95 |
| Environmental Consultant | 75 | 80 |
| Environmental Manager | 80† | 80 |
| Environmental Research Scientist | 75 | 80 |
| Food Technologist | 85 | 85 |
| General Practitioner | 75 | 75 |
| Landscape Architect | 85 | 85 |
| Life Scientist (General) / Life Scientists nec | 95 | 95 |
| Locksmith | 75 | Not listed |
| Management Consultant | 80 | 80 |
| Materials Engineer | 85 | Not listed |
| Medical Diagnostic Radiographer | 75 | 80 |
| Medical Laboratory Scientist | 80 | 80 |
| Medical Practitioners nec | 90 | 75 |
| Metal Fabricator | 80 | 80 |
| Microbiologist | 95 | 95 |
| Occupational Therapist | 75 | 75 |
| Painting Trades Worker | 70* | Not listed |
| Petroleum Engineer | 85 | 80 |
| Physiotherapist | 70 | 75 |
| Podiatrist | 80 | 75 |
| Psychologists nec | 85 | 75 |
| Registered Nurse (Aged Care) | 75 | 75 |
| Registered Nurse (Community Health) | 80 | 75 |
| Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) | 75 | 75 |
| Registered Nurse (Medical) | 75 | 75 |
| Registered Nurse (Mental Health) | 75 | 75 |
| Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) | 85 | 80 |
| Registered Nurse (Surgical) | 80 | 75 |
| Registered Nurses nec | 70* | 75 |
| Secondary School Teacher | 80 | 75 |
| Social Worker | 80 | 75 |
| Solicitor | 75 | 80 |
| Sonographer | 75 | 85 |
| Speech Pathologist | 75 | 75 |
| Statistician | 85 | 90 |
| Telecommunications Engineer | 85 | 95 |
| Telecommunications Field Engineer | 85 | Not listed |
| Telecommunications Network Engineer | 85 | 95 |
| Telecommunications Technical Officer | 85 | Not listed |
| University Lecturer | 90 | Not listed |
| Wall and Floor Tiler | 70* | 65 |
| Welder (First Class) | 75 | 80 |
* Single or unconfirmed report. † Exact score unclear. “Not listed” means the occupation was not in the official 4 June 2026 table.
Occupations With No Confirmed Invitations
Some occupation groups had no confirmed invitations in the community reports for the 15 October 2026 round. Many applicants in these groups waited all day without an invitation.
- ICT occupations: no confirmed invitations for Software Engineer, Developer Programmer, Analyst Programmer, ICT Business Analyst, or ICT Security Specialist, including applicants with 90 points.
- Accounting: only one unconfirmed report for Accountant (General) at 100 points.
- Civil and other engineering: no confirmed invitations for Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Engineering Technologist, or Engineering Professionals nec. Several applicants with 85 to 90 points reported no invitation.
- Draftspersons and technicians: no confirmed invitations for Civil Engineering Draftsperson or Civil Engineering Technician.
- Subclass 491 Family Sponsored: no invitations reported.
A missing report does not prove that an occupation received zero invitations. Some occupations have very few applicants online. The official Home Affairs data will confirm the full list.
Not sure where your occupation stands? Book a consultation with RACC Indonesia to review your points and your options.
What This Round Means
The 15 October 2026 Subclass 189 invitation round shows two clear patterns: lower scores for trades and some health occupations, and very few invitations for ICT and accounting.
Trades performed strongly in this round. Carpenters and electricians received invitations at 65 points, which is the minimum score for the Subclass 189 visa. Cabinetmakers, Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics, and Electronic Equipment Trades Workers were reported at 65 points, compared with 80 points in June. This result matches the government’s stated focus on construction and housing trades, which Immigration Minister Tony Burke also highlighted in the proposed 2026 points test reform for trades. The new trade point values are not yet in effect.
Two factors likely explain why some scores were lower than in June:
- No invitations for over four months. Home Affairs issued no Subclass 189 invitations in July, August, or September 2026.
- A larger program. The 2026-27 Migration Program planning levels set 21,090 places for the Skilled Independent category, up from 16,900 in 2025-26.
Scores still differ within the same occupation. Two applicants with the same points can receive different results, because Home Affairs ranks tied scores by the date of effect (DOE). The date of effect is the date your EOI reached its current points score. Applicants with an earlier date of effect receive priority.
Invited? What to Do Before 14 December 2026
If you received a Subclass 189 invitation on 15 October 2026, you have 60 calendar days to lodge your visa application. The last day is 14 December 2026. Home Affairs cannot extend this deadline.
- Check every claim against 15 October 2026. Your skills assessment, English test result, and points must be valid on the invitation date.
- Collect evidence for every point you claimed for age, English, qualifications, work experience, and partner skills.
- Start police certificates and health checks now. Police certificates from some countries take several weeks.
- Never overstate your points. If you cannot prove a claimed point, Home Affairs will refuse the application. False information can lead to a three-year ban under PIC 4020.
- Lodge early. Do not wait until 14 December. A last-minute technical problem can cost you the invitation.
One Reddit applicant discovered that the EOI listed Registered Nurse (Medical Practice), but the ANMAC skills assessment was for Registered Nurse (Medical). This mismatch is a common and serious mistake. Your EOI occupation must match your skills assessment exactly. Check this detail before you lodge.
Not Invited? Your Next Steps
If you did not receive an invitation in the 15 October 2026 round, your EOI stays active in SkillSelect for the next round. You can take several steps to improve your position:
- Increase your points with a higher English score, an extra year of skilled employment, a Professional Year, or partner skills. Your date of effect moves to the date you reach the new score.
- Update your EOI immediately when your points increase, for example when you reach a new work experience milestone.
- Apply for state nomination through the Subclass 190 or Subclass 491 visa. State nomination programs run on their own timetables. Some states, such as the ACT and Tasmania, have already started their 2026-27 rounds.
- Consider employer sponsorship if your occupation receives few Subclass 189 invitations, such as ICT or accounting.
Learn more about each pathway in our guide to the skilled migration visa options for Australia.
Important Disclaimer
The figures in this article are community-reported invitations, not official Home Affairs results. We compiled them from migration agency round-ups and applicant posts on and after 15 October 2026. The official minimum score for each occupation may differ from these reports.
Use this data for reference only. Home Affairs publishes the official results on the SkillSelect invitation rounds page. We will update this article when the official data is released.
How RACC Indonesia Can Help You
The October 2026 round shows how fast the Subclass 189 picture can change. A trade worker can receive an invitation at 65 points, while an ICT professional with 90 points still waits. Your best pathway depends on your occupation, your points, and your date of effect.
If you received an invitation, our team can review your documents before you lodge, so that every claimed point is supported. If you did not receive an invitation, we can help you plan the best alternative, including Subclass 190, Subclass 491, or the study-to-PR pathway.
RACC Indonesia is a Registered Migration and Education Consulting Company (MARN 1572961) with 20 years of experience. Our consultants are MARA-registered migration agents. Get a Phone/WhatsApp consultation session with us: book a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When was the October 2026 Subclass 189 invitation round?
The Department of Home Affairs held the Subclass 189 invitation round on Thursday, 15 October 2026. This round is the first Subclass 189 round of the 2026-27 program year. The round was first expected by 30 September 2026, but Home Affairs confirmed the fixed date of 15 October on 9 October 2026.
What is the lowest score invited in the October 2026 Subclass 189 round?
Applicants reported invitations from 65 points, which is the minimum score for the Subclass 189 visa. Carpenters, electricians, cabinetmakers, and some other trades reported invitations at 65 points. Home Affairs has not yet published the official minimum score for each occupation, so these figures are community reports only.
How long do I have to lodge my visa application after a 189 invitation?
You have 60 calendar days from the date of your invitation to lodge your Subclass 189 visa application. For an invitation dated 15 October 2026, the last day is 14 December 2026. Home Affairs cannot extend this deadline. If you miss the deadline, the invitation expires.
Were IT and accounting occupations invited in October 2026?
Community reports show almost no invitations for ICT occupations such as Software Engineer, Developer Programmer, and Analyst Programmer. Accounting had only one unconfirmed report at 100 points. Civil engineering also had no confirmed reports. The official Home Affairs results will confirm whether these occupations received any invitations.
When is the next Subclass 189 invitation round?
As of 20 October 2026, the Department of Home Affairs has not announced the date of the next Subclass 189 invitation round. Home Affairs publishes the next round date on the SkillSelect invitation rounds page. Keep your Expression of Interest accurate and up to date so that you are ready for the next round.
Source: Community reports from the r/AusVisa 15 October 2026 invitation round thread, Aussizz Group SC189 Round-Up (15 October 2026), and Trades Australia 189 Invitations Update (15 October 2026, as at 9:50 AM Melbourne time). Comparison data: Department of Home Affairs, SkillSelect Invitation Rounds, 4 June 2026 round.
Disclaimer: This content is general information about studying, working, and migrating to Australia and is not personal migration advice. Immigration rules change and every situation is different. For advice tailored to your circumstances, book a consultation with RACC Indonesia’s MARA-registered migration agent (MARN 1572961).
