Subclass 189 Visa Invitation Round — 4 June 2026: Points Cut-Offs for All Occupations Invited

Reviewed by: Umar Ashraf, Registered Migration Agent — MARN 2619222, Magpie Consultants  |  Published: 4 June 2026  |  Last Updated: 18 June 2026

What Is the Subclass 189 Visa?

The Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers who do not need employer sponsorship, family sponsorship, or state government nomination. It is processed through the SkillSelect system and awarded through a competitive, points-based invitation process.

To receive an invitation you need:

• A valid Expression of Interest (EOI) lodged in SkillSelect
• Your occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
• A valid skills assessment from the relevant Australian assessing body
• A points score at or above the cut-off for your occupation in that round

Points are awarded under Australia’s points test for factors including age, English language ability, skilled employment, Australian study, partner skills, and more. The maximum achievable score is 130 points, and the minimum to submit an EOI is 65 points.

Round Overview — Key Facts

This was the final Subclass 189 invitation round of the 2025–26 migration program year. End-of-year rounds are historically among the largest of the year as DHA distributes the remaining annual skilled migration allocation. The 2026–27 program commences 1 July 2026, and new rounds will be held under fresh allocation settings.

Which Trades Got Invited in the June 2026 189 Round?

Trade occupations had the lowest points cut-offs of the entire round, with multiple occupations invited at just 65 points — the minimum score needed to even lodge an EOI.

Why are trade cut-offs so low? Australia’s ongoing housing, infrastructure, and construction pipeline has created sustained demand for licensed tradespeople that the domestic workforce cannot fill. This is consistently reflected in low 189 points thresholds for trades — and this round is no exception.

Nurse 189 Visa Points Cut-Off — June 2026 (All Specialisations)

Nine distinct nursing specialisations received invitations in this round — one of the broadest nursing invitation rounds seen in recent years.

Key nursing insight: RN Surgical, RN Critical Care & Emergency, and RN NEC were all invited at 75 points — the lowest threshold across all nursing specialisations. Your specific nursing specialisation significantly affects the points you need.

Allied Health & Medical 189 Visa Points — June 2026

Almost the entire allied health and medical sector was invited at the 80-point threshold. If you are an allied health professional with 80 points and an EOI submitted in the last 12 months, this round was likely accessible to you.

Engineering & Technology 189 Visa Points — June 2026

Engineering Manager standout: A confirmed invitation at 70 points onshore is among the most surprising results of this round — the lowest reported for this occupation in recent program years.

Secondary School Teacher & Education 189 Visa Points — June 2026

Note on Secondary School Teacher: The variation between onshore and offshore cut-offs is explained by Date of Effect, not location. An onshore applicant with a DOE of January 2025 was reached at 75 points. Others with the same score but a more recent DOE were not invited.

Environmental, Science & Research 189 Visa Points — June 2026

Important note on Biotechnologist and Life Scientist General: Early community reports suggested 100-point cut-offs. Multiple later reports confirmed invitations as low as 85 points. This is likely explained by Date of Effect — older EOIs at 85 points were reached while more recent EOIs at the same score were not.

Business, Legal & Community Services 189 Visa Points — June 2026

Social Worker was one of the most widely reported occupations of this round, with confirmed invitations across four different points thresholds — 75, 80, 85, and 90 points. Social Workers at 75 points with an older Date of Effect had a strong chance this round.

How to Check If Your EOI Was Competitive in This Round

1. Find your occupation in the tables above — search by job title or ANZSCO code. If it does not appear, it was either not invited this round or not yet reported in community groups.
2. Compare your points to the lowest reported cut-off — if your score is at or above that figure, you were within the invite range for this round.
3. Check your Date of Effect — if your score matches but you were not invited, your DOE may be too recent. A lower cut-off with an older DOE explains why some applicants at the same score receive different outcomes.
4. Log in to your ImmiAccount — if you received an invitation it will appear there as an invitation to apply for the visa.
5. If you are unsure, speak with a registered migration agent — a licensed agent can review your EOI, confirm your Date of Effect, and advise on your options for the next round.

Date of Effect (DOE) Explained — With Real Examples From This Round

Date of Effect is the date your EOI first reached its current points score. It is the tie-breaker that DHA uses when multiple candidates hold identical points. The person who reached their score earlier is invited first.

Practical takeaway: Always submit your EOI the moment you reach your target score. Do not delay, and do not edit your EOI unless you are adding genuine additional points — unnecessary edits can reset your DOE.

How Does the June 2026 Round Compare to Previous Rounds?

Overall trend: The June 2026 round was broadly consistent with earlier rounds for healthcare and professional occupations, with notable improvements for several trade and engineering roles. End-of-year rounds tend to move queues further due to higher invitation volumes.

What to Do If You Didn’t Get Invited in the June 2026 Round

Do Not Withdraw or Delete Your EOI

Your EOI remains active into the 2026–27 program year and your Date of Effect is fully preserved. Withdrawing your EOI means losing your queue position — do not do this.

Check Whether Your Points Can Be Improved

• English language — Retaking IELTS or PTE to achieve a higher band can add 10–20 extra points
• Partner skills — If your partner holds a skills assessment and functional English, you receive 5 additional points
• Professional Year — Eligible STEM, accounting, or computing graduates receive 5 points
• Australian study — A qualification from an Australian institution adds 5 points; studying in regional Australia adds a further 5 points

Consider State-Sponsored Pathways

If your 189 cut-off is consistently above what you can achieve, the Subclass 190 (state nomination) adds 5 points and the Subclass 491 (regional nomination) adds 15 points — either may bring you within reach of an invitation.

Next 189 Visa Invitation Round — When to Expect It

The 4 June 2026 round was the final invitation round of the 2025–26 migration program year. The next Subclass 189 invitation round is confirmed for 30 September 2026, under the 2026–27 migration program, which commenced on 1 July 2026.

• A new annual allocation is set for 2026–27 — this resets the invitation pool
• EOIs not invited in June 2026 automatically roll over with their existing Date of Effect
• The next round of the new program year is confirmed for 30 September 2026
• Ensure your EOI is up to date, your skills assessment has not expired, and your English test results remain valid before the round

📄 See full details on the 30 September 2026 round →

We will publish full results and analysis as soon as the round is held. Subscribe to our blog to be notified.

Frequently Asked Questions

What date was the Subclass 189 invitation round in June 2026?

The round ran on 4 June 2026, starting at approximately 9:00 AM AEST. It was the final 189 invitation round of the 2025–26 migration program year.

What is the lowest points score for a 189 visa in June 2026?

The lowest confirmed cut-off was 65 points, reported for Carpenter, Electrician, Glazier, Bricklayer, Plasterer, Wall and Floor Tiler, and Carpenter and Joiner. Multiple independent community sources confirmed this across trade occupations.

What is Date of Effect and how does it affect my invitation?

Date of Effect (DOE) is the date your EOI first reached its current score. When applicants have identical points, DHA invites those with an earlier DOE first. It is the primary tie-breaker in SkillSelect and can determine whether two applicants with the same score get very different outcomes.

Does being onshore or offshore affect my 189 invitation?

No. The Subclass 189 invitation is based purely on points score and Date of Effect. Whether you are currently in Australia or overseas makes no difference to your chances.

How many occupations received invitations in the June 2026 189 round?

Community reports confirm over 60 occupations received invitations, spanning trades, healthcare, engineering, education, environmental science, business, and legal professions.

Is this the last 189 round for 2026?

Yes — for the 2025–26 program year. The next round is confirmed for 30 September 2026, under the 2026–27 program, which began 1 July 2026.

My occupation required 100 points in earlier rounds but shows lower here. Why?

Date of Effect explains this. Older EOIs at lower score thresholds are being reached as the queue moves. Biotechnologist and Life Scientist General both showed invitations at 85 points after previously requiring 95–100. Only applicants with a sufficiently early DOE at 85 points were invited — not all EOIs at that score.

Can I improve my points before the next round?

Yes. Common improvements include a higher English test result, adding a skilled partner, completing a Professional Year, or meeting Australian study requirements. A registered migration agent can identify which options apply to your specific situation.

What happens to my EOI if I was not invited?

Your EOI remains active, your Date of Effect is preserved, and you will be considered in future rounds under the 2026–27 program starting July 2026. Do not withdraw your EOI.

What is the difference between a 189 and 190 visa?

The Subclass 189 requires no sponsorship and relies entirely on your points score. The Subclass 190 requires state or territory nomination, which adds 5 points — a useful alternative if your 189 cut-off is just out of reach.

What is the difference between a 189 and 491 visa?

The Subclass 491 is a regional provisional visa. It requires state or territory nomination (adding 15 points to your score) and requires you to live and work in a designated regional area for three years before applying for permanent residency via Subclass 191.

When will DHA release official cut-off data for this round?

DHA typically releases occupation-level invitation data several weeks to months after each round. This page will be updated as soon as the official data is published.

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.

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