The Department of Home Affairs has updated its SkillSelect invitation rounds page (last updated 13 October 2026) to confirm that the next invitation round for the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa will be held on 15 October 2026.
What has changed
Until now, the Department had only said the next 189 round was expected by 30 September 2026, without giving a fixed date (see our earlier update). It has now named the date: 15 October 2026.
This will be the first 189 round of the 2026-27 program year. The Department's 2026-27 tally currently shows no invitations issued from July onwards for the subclass 189 visa or for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) - Family Sponsored. The most recent round was held on 4 June 2026, when 10,000 subclass 189 invitations were issued.
The 2026-27 Permanent Migration Program planning levels set aside 21,090 places for the Skilled Independent category, up from 16,900 in each of 2024-25 and 2025-26.
Home Affairs has not published how many invitations will be issued on 15 October, which occupations will be included or what the minimum points scores will be. There is no published figure yet. Results are normally added to the invitation rounds page after a round has run.
Who it affects
- Anyone with a current Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect for the subclass 189 visa.
- People thinking about lodging or updating a 189 EOI.
The Department notes that state and territory nominations for the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visas are not affected by departmental invitation rounds. States and territories manage their own nominations in line with their own priorities.
When it starts
The round is scheduled for 15 October 2026, with invitations issued through SkillSelect. Under the published invitation process, higher-ranked EOIs by points score are invited before lower-ranked ones. Where scores are equal, the EOI that reached its score earlier (the "date of effect") is invited first. Occupation ceilings may also limit the number of invitations in some occupation groups.
What you should do now
- Check your EOI is accurate. Home Affairs asks EOI holders to make sure their information is up to date and accurate before the round.
- Check time-sensitive claims. Confirm your skills assessment and English test results are still current, and that your age, work experience and qualification points are calculated correctly.
- Only claim points you can prove. If you are invited, you will need evidence for every claim in your EOI. Claims you cannot support can lead to a refusal.
- Get your documents ready. An invitation must be acted on within a limited time, so having identity documents, your skills assessment, English results and employment evidence ready will help.
For help with points, EOIs and skilled visa applications, see our skilled migration page.
Source
- Department of Home Affairs - SkillSelect invitation rounds (last updated 13 October 2026)
- Department of Home Affairs - Permanent Migration Program planning levels
This article is general information only and is not migration advice. Everyone's circumstances are different, so speak with a registered migration agent before acting.
Want your EOI checked before the round? Book your consultation with Nanak Migration Group.