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V I S A A I D

SkillSelect and State Invitation Rounds

A 189 visa invitation round happened on 13 November 2025.

Invitation rounds apply to Skilled Independent Visas (subclass 189) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visas (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored. Invitations are usually released quarterly and each round varies depending on the number of applications that are received and processed by the Department of Home Affairs.

Details of the 13 June 2024 SkillSelect invitation round has been released on the Department’s website.

Invitations issued

Visa subclass

Number

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)7,353
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored74

Cut off points

Visa subclass

Min score

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)65
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored)65

On this page you will find information about SkillSelect Invitation Rounds:

  • Since May 2020, the way the SkillSelect Invitation Rounds are run have shifted to a targeted approach to prioritise the occupations Australia needs given the impacts of COVID-19. See our page on Bespoke Invitation Rounds for 189 and 491 Visa (Family Sponsored Visa).
  • The most recent SkillSelect Invitations were released on 21 January 2022. See our page on the Latest Subclass 189 and 491 Invitation Round Analysis.
  • Due to border closures and travel restrictions, Australia’s border had remained closed for 2 years. Now that the world is reopening following the impacts of COVID-19, the State and Territory Skilled Visa Programs are beginning to reopen. For more information about the State/Territory Skilled Migration Programs see our page on Which Australian States/Territories are open for Offshore Skilled Migration program?
  • The Skilled Migration Program is highly competitive. For further information about the most common occupations selected in the 2021 Skilled Migration program see our page on Top Occupations for Australia Immigration 2021 – Skilled Migration.
  • If you are looking for information regarding SkillSelect Invitation Rounds in each State/Territory in Australia for the 190 and 491 visas (state sponsored), see the relevant pages below:
      • ACT – Invitation Rounds
      • NSW – Invitation Rounds
      • NT – Invitation Rounds
      • QLD – Invitation Rounds
      • SA – Invitation Rounds
      • TAS – Invitation Rounds
      • VIC – Invitation Rounds
      • WA – Invitation Rounds

Occupation Ceilings

Occupation ceilings may be applicable to the invitations issued for some occupations in the subclass 189 and subclass 491 – family sponsored visa programs. Occupation ceilings are a reasonable limit on the number of Expression of Interest (EOIs) that can be invited. Occupation ceilings do not apply to State or Territory Nominated visa subclasses.

Current Round

Invitations issued on 21 January 2022

Visa subclassNumber
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)200
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored200

Invitations Issued during 2021-22 Program Year

Visa subclassJulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)250  200  200     
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored500  200  200     

If you are Invited or Selected

If you are invited to apply for a visa, you will receive an invitation from SkillSelect. The applicant will then have 60 days from the date of invitation to make a valid visa application online prior to the invitation expiring. Applications received outside of the timeline will be invalid and another invitation will be required for the applicant to be eligible.

Occupations in the 21 January 2022 Invitation Round

OccupationInvited for SubclassLowest Points Score Invited
subclass 189
Lowest Points Score Invited
subclass 491 (FSR)
Agricultural Consultant491N/A80
Agricultural Scientist491N/A80
Biotechnologist491N/A80
Chemical Engineer491N/A80
Emergency Medicine Specialist18990N/A
Environmental Consultant491N/A80
Environmental Scientists nec491N/A85
Food Technologist491N/A80
General Practitioner18990N/A
Geophysicist491N/A80
Life Scientist (General)491N/A105
Life Scientists nec491N/A95
Medical Diagnostic Radiographer18990N/A
Medical Laboratory Scientist189, 4919080
Medical Practitioners nec18990N/A
Medical Radiation Therapist491N/A95
Microbiologist189, 4919085
Midwife491N/A85
Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum)18990N/A
Neurosurgeon18995N/A
Nuclear Medicine Technologist18995N/A
Nurse Practitioner18995N/A
Orthotist or Prosthetist491N/A80
Paediatrician18990N/A
Petroleum Engineer18990N/A
Physiotherapist491N/A80
Psychologists nec491N/A80
Registered Nurse (Aged Care)189, 4919080
Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)491N/A80
Registered Nurse (Community Health)18990N/A
Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)189, 4919080
Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability)18990N/A
Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)189, 4919090
Registered Nurse (Medical)189, 4919080
Registered Nurse (Mental Health)189, 4919080
Registered Nurse (Paediatrics)189, 4919080
Registered Nurse (Perioperative)189, 4919080
Registered Nurse (Surgical)189, 4919080
Registered Nurses nec491N/A80
Social Worker491N/A80
Veterinarian18990N/A