Quick Answer: The next Subclass 189 invitation round is expected in July or August 2026, marking the start of the new 2026–27 migration program year. Based on the June 4 round results, points cut-offs ranged from 65 to 95 across occupations. To receive an invitation, your EOI must be submitted and current in SkillSelect before the round runs.
Australia’s June 4, 2026 Subclass 189 invitation round has passed — and if you didn’t receive an invitation, the next opportunity is coming in the new program year. The July/August 2026 round is particularly significant because it marks the opening of the 2026–27 migration program, when the Department of Home Affairs resets annual invitation caps and sometimes adjusts occupation priorities.
In this guide, Umar Ashraf (MARN 2619222) from Magpie Consultants walks you through everything you need to know: when the next round is likely to run, what points you’ll need, which occupations are most likely to receive invitations, and how to use the next few weeks to maximise your score before the round opens.
When Is the Next 189 Invitation Round?
The Department of Home Affairs does not announce invitation round dates in advance. However, based on the historical pattern of 189 rounds, the next round is expected to run in July or August 2026.
Here is the pattern of recent 189 rounds:
| Round | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Previous round | November 2025 | ~10,000 invitations issued |
| June round | 4 June 2026 | End of 2025–26 program year |
| Next expected round | July – August 2026 | Start of 2026–27 program year |
The Department typically issues rounds in Q4 (October–December) and again around June, with additional rounds sometimes run in Q1/Q2 depending on program year allocations. The start of a new program year in July is often when high volumes of invitations are issued as the new annual cap becomes available.
Important: Your EOI must be submitted and active in SkillSelect before a round runs. You cannot submit or update an EOI after a round has already occurred and claim an invitation from it. Ensure your EOI is complete, accurate, and at the highest possible points score before the round date.
What the June 4 Round Tells Us
The June 4, 2026 round gave us crucial real-world data on current cut-offs. Our full June 4 round results post covers every occupation and cut-off in detail — but here are the key takeaways for anyone preparing for the July round:
- Lowest cut-offs: Trades occupations (carpenters, plasterers, painters) received invitations at 65–75 points — the lowest scores in the round
- Mid-range cut-offs: Most healthcare, engineering, and IT occupations invited at 80–90 points
- Highest cut-offs: Scientists (physicists, surveyors), some IT specialists, and select engineers required 90–95 points
- Offshore applicants: Several occupations showed split results between onshore and offshore applicants — onshore candidates with the same score were sometimes invited ahead of offshore candidates with the same number of points when the round used date-of-effect tie-breaking
- Age is a deciding factor: Between equal-points candidates, younger applicants (more age points) received invitations first
The takeaway: if you are at 80–85 points and your occupation was invited at that level in June, you have a strong chance in the July round — if your EOI is in SkillSelect with the correct points before the round runs.
What Changes at the Start of a New Program Year?
The Australian migration program year runs from 1 July to 30 June. When a new year begins on July 1, 2026, several things reset or change that can affect your 189 invitation prospects:
1. Annual Caps Reset
The Government sets an annual cap on the total number of skilled visas across all categories. In 2025–26, the permanent migration program was set at 185,000 places. The 2026–27 cap will be announced in the federal budget — any increase in the skilled migration cap directly increases the number of 189 invitations available.
2. Occupation List Reviews
The Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) — which determines which occupations are eligible for the 189 visa — is reviewed periodically. New occupations may be added or removed at the start of a new program year. Check the current list before your July application.
3. Skills Assessment Validity
Skills assessments are generally valid for 3 years. If your assessment is approaching expiry, a new program year is a critical time to renew it before lodging a fresh EOI or before your existing EOI assessment lapses.
4. Age Points
Your age-based points are calculated at the time you are invited, not when you submit your EOI. If you turn 33 before receiving an invitation, you drop from 30 age points to 25. A July round happening quickly could work in your favour if you are close to an age-points boundary.
Points Cut-Off Predictions for the July 2026 Round
Based on June 4 round results and typical program year opening patterns, here are our predictions for the July 2026 round:
| Occupation Category | June 4 Cut-Off | July Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| Construction trades (carpenters, painters, plasterers) | 65–75 | 65–75 (stable) |
| Registered Nurses (all specialisations) | 75–85 | 75–85 (stable) |
| Civil / Structural Engineers | 85–90 | 80–90 (may ease slightly) |
| Software / ICT professionals | 90–95 | 85–95 (may ease slightly) |
| Accountants / Finance professionals | 85–90 | 85–90 (stable) |
| Early Childhood Teachers | 85 | 80–85 (high demand, may ease) |
| Physiotherapists / Allied Health | 80–85 | 80–85 (stable) |
These are predictions based on historical trends and the June 4 round data. Actual cut-offs depend on the number of invitations issued in the July round and the EOIs active at that time. They are not guarantees.
Occupations to Watch in the July 2026 Round
These occupations are worth monitoring closely for the July round, based on either consistent demand or recent signals from migration data:
High Priority — Likely to Be Invited Again
- Registered Nurses (all specialisations) — Australia’s healthcare workforce shortage is ongoing
- Early Childhood Teachers (ANZSCO 241111) — National Early Childhood Education and Care workforce plan is increasing demand
- Construction trades — Housing shortage driving sustained demand for carpenters, plasterers, and concreters
- Civil Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians — Infrastructure pipeline keeping demand high
Watch — May See Improved Cut-Offs in New Program Year
- Software Engineers / Developers — Cut-offs have been high; a new program year cap reset may open up more invitations
- Welfare Centre Managers and Social Workers — Demand growing but cut-offs were elevated in June
- Pharmacists — Workforce pressures increasing in community pharmacy
How to Prepare Your EOI Before the July Round
The time between now and the expected July round is an opportunity to maximise your points score. Here is what to check and do:
1. Verify Your Points Calculation
Use the DHA points calculator to verify your current score. Every claim in your EOI must be accurate — inflated scores that cannot be verified at visa stage result in refusal and a potential 3-year ban (PIC 4020).
2. Check Your Skills Assessment Status
Ensure your skills assessment is current and has not lapsed. If it is within 6 months of expiry, start the renewal process now — some assessing bodies take 3–6 months to process.
3. Uplift Your English Score
Moving from competent (IELTS 6.0 in each band) to proficient (7.0) adds 10 points. Moving to superior (8.0) adds 20 points. If you are 5–10 points short of a cut-off, a new English test before the July round could be the difference between an invitation and another wait.
4. Claim All Eligible Employment Points
- Australian skilled employment: 5 pts (1–3 yrs), 10 pts (3–5 yrs), 15 pts (5–8 yrs), 20 pts (8+ yrs)
- Overseas skilled employment: 3 pts (3–5 yrs), 5 pts (5–8 yrs), 10 pts (8+ yrs)
- Make sure your employer reference letters specify your occupation title, ANZSCO code, hours per week, and exact employment dates
5. Update Your EOI
If any circumstances have changed since you submitted your EOI — new employment, completed a qualification, new English test result — update your EOI in SkillSelect before the round runs. An outdated EOI with a lower score than you can actually claim is a wasted opportunity.
Get your EOI reviewed before July. Umar Ashraf (MARN 2619222) at Magpie Consultants can review your points claim, check your eligibility, and advise on the best strategy for the next round. Book a consultation.
What If 189 Isn’t Enough? Consider 190 or 491
If your points score is strong but below the 189 cut-off for your occupation, the Subclass 190 State Nomination and Subclass 491 Regional Nomination visas are worth exploring in parallel. Umar Ashraf at Magpie Consultants provides a full skilled migration assessment covering all three pathways so you never leave points or options on the table.
- 190 visa: State nomination adds 5 points to your score. If you’re at 80 and cut-offs are at 85, a state nomination could bridge the gap — and many states have their own occupation lists with lower cut-offs than the federal MLTSSL
- 491 visa: Regional sponsorship adds 15 points. A 491 provides a pathway to permanent residency after 3 years of living and working in a regional area. Cut-offs are generally lower than 189
A good migration strategy uses the 189, 190, and 491 as parallel pathways — not sequential ones. We recommend discussing all three with a registered agent before the new program year opens. Contact Magpie Consultants to review your options.
Frequently Asked Questions — 189 Visa July 2026 Round
When is the next 189 visa invitation round in 2026?
Expected July or August 2026 — the start of the new 2026–27 migration program year. DHA does not announce dates in advance. Your EOI must be submitted and active in SkillSelect before the round runs to be considered.
How many invitations are issued in a 189 round?
It varies. The November 2025 round issued approximately 10,000 invitations. New program year rounds tend to have higher volumes as annual caps reset on July 1. The exact number for July 2026 depends on the 2026–27 migration cap and remaining program year allocations.
What points do I need for the 189 visa in July 2026?
The minimum EOI score is 65 points, but invitations go to the highest scorers by occupation. June 4 round cut-offs ranged from 65–75 (trades) to 90–95 (IT, science). July may see similar or slightly lower cut-offs as the new annual cap becomes available.
Can I update my EOI before the July round?
Yes — and you should if anything has changed. New employment, a completed qualification, or an updated English test can increase your points. Update your EOI in SkillSelect before the round runs. An outdated EOI is a missed opportunity for a higher invitation ranking.
What if I don’t get a 189 invitation in July?
Your EOI stays active for up to 2 years and is considered in each round. If your score is close to the cut-off, consider 190 state nomination (adds 5 points) or 491 regional nomination (adds 15 points) as parallel pathways while you wait for the next 189 round.
Does the July new program year change the 189 occupation list?
Possibly. The MLTSSL governing 189 eligibility can be reviewed at any time, including around the new program year. Always verify your occupation’s current status on the DHA website before updating or lodging an EOI.
This article was prepared by Umar Ashraf, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2619222) at Magpie Consultants, Melbourne. Points cut-off predictions are based on crowdsourced data and historical patterns — they are not guarantees and actual cut-offs will vary. Always verify current occupation list status at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging an EOI.
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.
