On 4 June 2026, the Department of Home Affairs issued the latest round of invitations for the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa through the SkillSelect system. This was the final invitation round of the 2025–26 migration program year — and one of the most significant, with over 60 occupations invited across trades, healthcare, engineering, education, and more.

If you have an active Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, here is what you need to know about this round, what points were needed, and what to do next.

June 2026 Round at a Glance

What Is the Subclass 189 Visa?

The Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa is a permanent residence visa for skilled workers who do not need an employer sponsor, a family sponsor, or state government nomination. It is awarded entirely on points — the higher your score and the earlier you lodged your EOI at that score, the better your chances of receiving an invitation.

To be eligible, you must have your occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), a valid skills assessment, and a points score of at least 65. Invitations are issued through the SkillSelect system, and competition varies significantly by occupation.

Points Cut-Offs by Sector — June 2026

The following cut-offs are based on community-reported data from SkillSelect applicants. Official Department of Home Affairs data is published separately and may vary.

Trades

Trade occupations had the lowest cut-offs of the entire round, with several roles invited at just 65 points — the minimum score to even submit an EOI. This reflects Australia’s sustained demand for licensed tradespeople in construction and infrastructure.

Healthcare

Nine distinct nursing specialisations received invitations — one of the broadest nursing rounds in recent memory. Allied health professionals generally needed 80 points.

Engineering & Technology

Education

Business, Legal & Community Services

Environmental & Science

Understanding Date of Effect — Why Two People With the Same Score Get Different Results

When multiple EOIs have identical points, the Department of Home Affairs uses Date of Effect (DOE) as the tie-breaker. Your DOE is the date your EOI first reached its current points score — not the date you lodged your EOI.

This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of SkillSelect. Two applicants with 80 points can receive very different outcomes if one submitted their EOI in January 2025 and the other in November 2025. The earlier EOI is reached first. Once the invitation pool is exhausted at that score, later applicants at 80 points are not invited — even though their score is identical.

Practical rule: Never edit your EOI unless you are adding genuine additional points. Unnecessary edits can reset your DOE, moving you to the back of the queue even if your score does not change.

What to Do If Your EOI Was Not Invited

First, do not withdraw or delete your EOI. Your Date of Effect is fully preserved, and your EOI will automatically be considered in future rounds under the 2026–27 migration program starting July 2026.

Use the gap between rounds to review your points position:

• English language: Retesting with IELTS or PTE can add 10–20 points for a higher band score
• Partner skills: A skilled partner with a valid skills assessment and functional English adds 5 points
• Professional Year: Eligible STEM, accounting, or computing graduates can add 5 points
• Australian study: A qualification from an Australian institution adds 5 points; regional study adds a further 5

If the 189 cut-off for your occupation is consistently out of reach, the Subclass 190 (state nomination, +5 points) or Subclass 491 (regional nomination, +15 points) may bring you within range of a permanent visa pathway.

Next Subclass 189 Invitation Round

The 4 June 2026 round was the last round of the 2025–26 program year. The next Subclass 189 invitation round will be held under the 2026–27 migration program, which commenced on 1 July 2026. The first round of the new program year is typically held in July or August.

If you were not invited in June, ensure your EOI remains current before the next round: confirm your skills assessment has not expired, check that your English test results are still valid, and update any employment details if your circumstances have changed.

Talk to a Registered Migration Agent in Canberra

Skilled migration planning requires more than just adding up points — it involves assessing your skills assessment pathway, occupation list eligibility, English test strategy, and whether a state-sponsored pathway (190 or 491) better suits your situation and timeline.

At OVEC, we are Canberra-based registered migration agents with experience across the full range of skilled visa pathways. We can review your EOI strategy, identify opportunities to strengthen your points position, and guide you through the application process once you receive an invitation.

Contact us to book your consultation — we are happy to discuss your skilled migration options.

OVEC — Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1170438. This article is general information only and does not constitute migration advice. Points cut-offs are based on community-reported data and should be verified against official Department of Home Affairs sources.