How SkillSelect Invitation Rounds work

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Table of Contents

    Corazon Jasa - Principal Migration Agent

    Written: December 23, 2023

    Updated: July 4, 2026

    13 min read

    Skillselect invitation round

    The Department of Home Affairs conducted the latest SkillSelect invitation round on 4 June 2026, which was the final invitation round for the 2025–26 Migration Program year.

    SkillSelect invitation round issued for:

    Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189)

    Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491) – Family Sponsored

    The June 2026 round confirms that Australia continues to prioritise occupations experiencing genuine workforce shortages, particularly in construction, healthcare, education and community services, while competition remains intense in many professional and ICT occupations.

    Key Statistics

    Important: The Department of Home Affairs publishes the total number of invitations issued and the minimum points score invited for each occupation. However, it does not publish the number of invitations issued for individual occupations.

    How SkillSelect Determines Invitations

    Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are ranked according to:

    • Total points claimed;
    • Occupation demand and available places; and
    • Date of Effect (the date an applicant achieved their current points score).

    Where two applicants have the same points score, invitations are generally issued to the applicant who reached that score first.

    Occupation Outcomes – June 2026 SkillSelect Invitation Round

    Construction and Trade Occupations

    Construction trades continued to perform strongly, with many occupations receiving invitations at the minimum threshold of 65 points, reflecting ongoing labour shortages (try our test here).

    Healthcare and Community Services Occupations

    Healthcare and community service occupations continued to receive priority invitations.

    Education Occupations

    Teacher shortages continue across Australia, particularly in regional and specialised teaching areas.

    Professional and Specialist Occupations

    Professional occupations generally require higher points scores, typically between 80 and 95 points.

    ANZSCO codes are based on the current Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations and may be updated in future classification reviews.

    Key Trends from the June 2026 Round

    Strong Demand for Construction Trades

    Many construction occupations received invitations at the minimum threshold of 65 points, highlighting ongoing shortages across Australia’s housing and infrastructure sectors.

    Continued Priority for Healthcare

    Doctors, nurses, psychologists and allied health professionals remained priority occupations and generally required approximately 75 points or more.

    Professional and STEM Occupations Require Higher Scores

    Engineering, science and other professional occupations typically require between 80 and 95 points to remain competitive.

    ICT Occupations Remain Highly Competitive

    Industry reports and migration professionals indicate that many ICT occupations remained extremely competitive, with applicants often requiring 90–95 points or higher.

    What If You Were Not Invited?

    If you did not receive an invitation:

    • Your EOI remains in SkillSelect until it expires;
    • You may update your EOI if your circumstances change; and
    • Improving your points score may increase your competitiveness in future rounds.

    Examples of changes that may improve your points include:

    • Achieving higher English language test scores;
    • Gaining additional skilled employment experience;
    • Completing further qualifications;
    • Becoming eligible for partner points; or
    • Securing state or territory nomination.

    Looking Ahead – 2026–27 Program Year

    The Department of Home Affairs has indicated that the next Subclass 189 invitation round is expected to occur by 30 September 2026 under the 2026–27 Migration Program year. However, exact dates are not announced in advance.

    The June 2026 round suggests that the Australian Government is likely to continue prioritising:

    • Healthcare and medical professionals;
    • Construction and trade occupations;
    • Teachers and community service professionals; and
    • Selected engineering and scientific occupations.

    Applicants in priority occupations with approximately 75–85 points may remain competitive during the 2026–27 program year. However, invitation thresholds can change significantly depending on:

    • The number of EOIs lodged;
    • Government migration planning levels;
    • Labour market shortages; and
    • Future SkillSelect invitation strategies.

    Importantly, receiving the minimum points score invited in a previous round does not guarantee an invitation in future rounds.

    Practical Advice for Applicants

    To maximise your chances of receiving an invitation, applicants should:

    • Lodge an EOI as soon as they become eligible;
    • Aim for points well above the minimum 65-point threshold;
    • Obtain superior English language results where possible;
    • Ensure skills assessments and English test results remain valid;
    • Regularly review and update their EOI information; and
    • Consider alternative pathways, including:
    • Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190); and
    • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491) – State or Territory Nominated.

    Given the increasingly competitive nature of Australia’s skilled migration program, careful planning and maintaining the highest possible points score remain critical to improving invitation prospects.

    ItemDetails
    Invitation Round Date4 June 2026
    Visa SubclassSkilled Independent visa (Subclass 189)
    Total Invitations Issued10,000
    Lowest Points Score Invited65 points
    Highest Points Score Invited100 points
    Tie-Break Date24 April 2026
    Time to Lodge a Visa Application60 calendar days from the invitation date
    OccupationANZSCO CodeMinimum ScoreInvitation Outlook
    Bricklayer33111165 pointsStrong prospects due to continued construction demand
    Carpenter33121265 pointsExcellent prospects
    Carpenter and Joiner33121165 pointsExcellent prospects
    Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber33411265 pointsStrong prospects
    Electrician (General)34111165 pointsStrong prospects
    Plumber (General)33411165 pointsStrong prospects
    Roof Plumber33411565 pointsGood prospects
    Wall and Floor Tiler33341165 pointsGood prospects
    Gasfitter33411470 pointsGood prospects
    OccupationANZSCO CodeMinimum ScoreInvitation Outlook
    Social Worker27251175 pointsVery good prospects
    Clinical Psychologist27231175 pointsExcellent prospects
    Audiologist25271175 pointsGood prospects
    Registered Nurse (Medical)25441875–80 pointsExcellent prospects
    Registered Nurse (Surgical)25442375–80 pointsExcellent prospects
    General Practitioner25311175 pointsExcellent prospects
    Emergency Medicine Specialist25391275 pointsExcellent prospects
    Occupational Therapist25241175 pointsExcellent prospects
    Physiotherapist25251175 pointsExcellent prospects
    Midwife25411175 pointsExcellent prospects
    OccupationANZSCO CodeMinimum ScoreInvitation Outlook
    Secondary School Teacher24141175–80 pointsStrong prospects
    OccupationANZSCO CodeMinimum ScoreInvitation Outlook
    Agricultural Consultant23411180 pointsModerate to good prospects
    Agricultural Scientist23411480 pointsModerate prospects
    Construction Project Manager13311180 pointsExcellent prospects
    Child Care Centre Manager13411180 pointsStrong prospects
    Cardiologist25331280 pointsExcellent prospects
    Barrister27111180 pointsModerate prospects
    Architect23211185 pointsModerate prospects
    Chemist23421185 pointsModerate prospects
    Dermatologist25391185 pointsExcellent prospects
    Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist25391785 pointsExcellent prospects
    Actuary22411190 pointsHighly competitive
    Statistician22411390 pointsHighly competitive
    Biotechnologist23451495 pointsHighly competitive
    Electronics Engineer23341195 pointsCompetitive
    Telecommunications Engineer26331195 pointsHighly competitive
    Marine Biologist23451695 pointsLimited opportunities
    Urologist253518100 pointsSpecialist occupation with limited applicant numbers

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