Quick Answer
The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that the next Skilled Independent (subclass 189) invitation round will be held on 15 October 2026. It is the first 189 round of the 2026–27 program year, after the round expected for 30 September did not go ahead. To be considered, your Expression of Interest (EOI) must already be submitted, accurate and current in SkillSelect when the round runs. If you are invited, you have 60 days to lodge your 189 visa application. Home Affairs usually publishes results (invitation numbers and points cut-offs by occupation) a few days to a few weeks after a round. We will update this page when they are released.
After months of waiting, there is finally a firm date. SkillSelect’s notice on the Home Affairs website reads: “The next invitation round for the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa will be held on 15 October 2026. Please ensure your Expression of Interest is up to date and that all the information you have provided is accurate.” This guide covers what that means for you, what to check before tomorrow, and what to do whether or not you are invited.
Invited, or not sure your EOI points are right? Umar Ashraf (MARA #2619222) can check your EOI claims before you lodge. Points you claim but can’t prove are one of the most common reasons skilled visas are refused. Book a free consultation →
189 Invitation Round Timeline
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 4 June 2026 | Last 189 round of the 2025–26 program year (see our June 2026 round results) |
| 1 July 2026 | 2026–27 program year began, with no 189 round scheduled at that point |
| 19 September 2026 | New processing priorities under Ministerial Direction 122 took effect for 189 visas |
| 30 September 2026 | Round expected, but it did not go ahead on this date (see our earlier preview) |
| 15 October 2026 | Confirmed 189 invitation round (Home Affairs SkillSelect notice) |
Source: Home Affairs: SkillSelect invitation rounds.
Checklist: What to Do Before the Round
SkillSelect ranks EOIs at the moment the round runs, by points score first and then by date of effect for applicants on equal points. You can’t fix your EOI after the round to claim an invitation from it. Before 15 October:
- Log in to SkillSelect and confirm your EOI is “Submitted”, not saved as a draft or expired. An EOI lasts two years.
- Check every points claim against your evidence. Count employment by exact dates, not rounded years. Make sure your English test is still valid on the day of invitation and your skills assessment hasn’t expired.
- Update any new claims now: a better English score, a new year of experience, an Australian study qualification or partner skills. A higher score can move you ahead of others, but updating it also resets your date of effect, so make sure the extra points are worth it.
- Don’t overclaim. If you are invited at a score you can’t prove when you lodge, you can be refused. If the refusal is based on false or misleading information, the PIC 4020 bar can follow (see PIC 4020 explained).
If You Are Invited: The 60-Day Window
An invitation gives you 60 days to lodge a complete 189 visa application, and you must have met the requirements at the time of invitation. Use the window to:
- Collect evidence for every point claimed in your EOI, at the score you were invited on
- Arrange police certificates for each country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Some take weeks.
- Budget for the visa application charge (see our 2026–27 visa fees guide)
- Book health examinations once you are asked to
Under Ministerial Direction 122, 189 applications in priority sectors (construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, resources, law enforcement and defence) are processed first. After those come applicants who were in Australia when they applied.
If You Are Not Invited
A 189 round is national and very competitive, so many good candidates miss out. Your options:
- State nomination (190 or 491): state nomination adds 5 points for the 190 and 15 for the 491, and each state ranks applicants its own way. Victoria has just published its 2026–27 fees and Victorian Points Test, and our 2026–27 state round tracker covers the others.
- Raise your points: superior English (+20 compared with Competent), the Professional Year, NAATI CCL and partner skills are the usual options. See 189 vs 190 vs 491 at 70–75 points.
- Plan for the points test reform: the 2027 EOI and points test changes may change how future rounds rank applicants.
15 October 2026 Round Results
Results pending. Home Affairs has not yet published invitation numbers or occupation cut-offs for this round. We will add the official figures here once they are released, rather than repeat unofficial estimates that circulate on social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next 189 invitation round?
The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed the next Skilled Independent (subclass 189) invitation round will be held on 15 October 2026. It is the first 189 round of the 2026–27 program year.
Did the 30 September 2026 189 round happen?
No. A round had been expected on 30 September 2026, but Home Affairs has now confirmed the next 189 round for 15 October 2026.
Can I update my EOI before the 189 round?
Yes. You can update your EOI in SkillSelect at any time before the round runs. Updating a points claim changes your date of effect, which is used to break ties between applicants on the same points.
How long do I have to apply after a 189 invitation?
You have 60 days from the date of invitation to lodge your subclass 189 visa application.
When will the 15 October 189 round results be published?
Home Affairs usually publishes round results, including invitation numbers and minimum points by occupation, on the SkillSelect invitation rounds page a few days to a few weeks after the round. This page will be updated when they are available.
What should I do if I am not invited in the 189 round?
Consider state nomination for a 190 or 491 visa, look for ways to raise your points (English, Professional Year, NAATI CCL, partner skills) and keep your EOI current for future rounds.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the Department of Home Affairs SkillSelect notice as at 14 October 2026. It is general information, not legal advice. Invitation round dates, numbers and processing priorities can change at short notice, so check SkillSelect or speak to a MARA-registered agent.
Call Umar directly: 0424 260 655
Email: info@magpieconsultants.com.au
Office: Office #3, 8/10 Childs Road, Epping VIC 3076
Consultations in: English | اردو Urdu | ਪੰਜਾਬੀ Punjabi | हिन्दी Hindi
Umar Ashraf
MARA Registered Migration Agent & Education Consultant | MARA #2619222 | Epping, Melbourne VIC
Umar Ashraf is a MARA-registered migration agent specialising in complex cases, visa cancellations, ART tribunal appeals, and employer sponsorship. He provides consultations in English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi.
