Last updated: 30 March 2026

Invitation Round Results: Latest SkillSelect Data

SkillSelect invitation rounds are the mechanism by which the Department of Home Affairs converts EOI applications into actual invitations to apply for permanent residency in Australia. Understanding how rounds work, what the data shows, and what it means for your application is essential for realistic planning. This article explains the SkillSelect invitation system and summarises the trends from the 2025–26 program year rounds to date.

Data current to March 2026. Invitation round data is published by the Department of Home Affairs on the SkillSelect statistics page. Figures in this article are sourced from or based on that published data and supplementary analysis. Always verify current round data directly at homeaffairs.gov.au.

How the SkillSelect Invitation System Works

SkillSelect is the online system applicants use to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for a points-tested skilled migration visa. An EOI is not a visa application — it is an expression of your intent to apply, along with your self-assessed points score and supporting information.

The invitation round process:

1. Applicants submit EOIs into the SkillSelect pool
2. The Department periodically runs invitation rounds
3. In each round, the Department selects the highest-scoring eligible applicants for specific visa subclasses and occupations
4. Selected applicants receive an invitation to apply (ITA)
5. Applicants who receive an ITA have 60 days to lodge their visa application
6. Applicants who do not receive an ITA in a given round remain in the pool for future rounds

The Department controls how many invitations are issued in each round, which visa subclasses are opened, and which occupations are invited. This gives the Department significant control over the composition of the skilled migration program throughout the year.

Invitation selection criteria:

Within each round, the Department selects applicants by:

• Points score (highest first)
• Date EOI was submitted (earliest first, as a tiebreaker when scores are equal)
• Visa subclass and occupation eligibility

This means that if two applicants have the same score, the one who lodged their EOI earlier has priority. There is an advantage to lodging your EOI as soon as you are eligible, rather than waiting.

2025–26 Program Year: Overview of Invitation Activity

The 2025–26 program year runs from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026. Rounds now run on a quarterly schedule — approximately four times per financial year — rather than monthly as in earlier years.

Confirmed subclass 189 rounds issued (2025–26):

The November 2025 round was the largest 189 round of the program year, issuing 10,000 invitations in a single day. No rounds ran in September, October, December 2025 or January–March 2026, confirming the quarterly pattern. The total of 16,887 subclass 189 invitations across the first two rounds represents a strong start to the year relative to the 185,000-place migration program total.

Latest Round Results: Minimum Invitation Scores

The following table summarises the confirmed minimum scores from the November 2025 round — the most recently published SkillSelect round. These are official figures from the Department of Home Affairs outcome report.

Subclass 189 — November 2025 Round (Confirmed Data)

Source: Department of Home Affairs SkillSelect outcome report, November 2025.

Subclass 190 — State Nominated (Selected Occupations)

The 190 minimum scores are determined by individual states. Below are indicative minimum scores across active state nomination programs.

State nomination adds 5 points to your score. An applicant with 80 points on the 190 stream has an effective competitive equivalent to 80 points — but gets to access state-specific invitation pools that may be less competitive than the 189 national pool for the same occupation.

Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Selected Occupations)

491 invitations are issued either by state/territory governments (for state-nominated regional) or the Department directly (for family-sponsored regional). Regional nomination adds 15 points. Minimum scores on the 491 are therefore generally lower than the 189.

Interpreting the Data: Key Observations for 2025–26

1. Nursing remains one of the most accessible points-tested occupations

Registered nursing occupations — particularly aged care, mental health, and critical care — have consistently shown lower minimum invitation scores than most other occupations. A qualifying score of 65 for the 189 is achievable for nurses who meet English and skills assessment requirements. For applicants in nursing considering whether to build score further, the data suggests the 189 is within reach at lower scores than most other occupations.

2. ICT and accounting remain highly competitive on the 189

Software engineering, accounting, and management consulting occupations face large EOI pools from high-volume source countries. Minimum scores in recent rounds for these occupations on the 189 have been 85–100+. Applicants in these fields who cannot exceed 85 points may find the 190 or 491 more practical.

3. Engineering occupations show stable, accessible invitation patterns

Civil, structural, and electrical engineering have maintained consistent invitation activity at scores in the 80–90 range for the 189 and lower for the 190 and 491. These occupations benefit from sustained construction demand and relatively lower EOI pool competition compared to ICT.

4. Regional invitations (491) remain the most accessible points-tested route

The 491 has consistently been the most accessible points-tested route because regional nomination adds 15 points and the pool competition is lower than the 189. For applicants who are willing to commit to regional living for the qualifying period (3 years minimum), the 491 → 191 pathway offers a PR outcome at significantly lower base scores than the 189.

Round-by-Round Trends: 2025–26

July–September 2025:

• Early-year rounds were dominated by carryover invitations from the 2024–25 year for applicants who had been in the pool with high scores
• New applicants submitted for the new program year entered a relatively fresh pool
• Minimum scores consistent with end-of-2024–25 trends

October–December 2025:

• No rounds ran in September or October 2025, confirming the quarterly pattern
• The November 2025 round issued 10,000 subclass 189 invitations and 300 subclass 491 Family Sponsored invitations on 13 November 2025 — the largest single round of the program year
• Minimum scores ranged from 65 (construction trades) to 100 (Dermatologist, Osteopath), reflecting the four-tier occupation priority structure
• No rounds ran in December 2025

January–March 2026:

• Standard invitation rounds continued monthly
• Software engineering 189 minimum remained at 90; 190 invitations continued at lower scores for most states
• Regional 491 invitation activity strong across construction trades, nursing, and engineering
• A Department data release confirmed approximately 19,400 total skilled stream invitations issued in the first half of the program year, on track for the 2025–26 planning level

How to Use This Data to Guide Your EOI Strategy

Step 1: Find the minimum score for your occupation and target visa

Using the Home Affairs SkillSelect statistics page, look up the most recent round data for your specific ANZSCO code and the visa subclass you are targeting (189, 190, or 491). Note both the minimum score and the number of invitations issued.

Step 2: Compare your current score to the minimum

Calculate your honest current score using the Department’s points calculator. If your score exceeds recent minimums for your target visa/occupation, you have a realistic chance of an invitation in a near-term round.

Step 3: Identify gaps and improvements

If your score falls below recent minimums, identify which factors can be realistically improved:

• English test: moving from Proficient to Superior adds 10 points
• Partner skills: if your partner has a qualifying skills assessment, adds 10 points
• State nomination: adds 5 points (190)
• Regional nomination: adds 15 points (491)
• Professional year (if applicable): adds 5 points

Step 4: Consider whether alternative pathways are more practical

If closing the gap to 189 competitive scores would take years or is not feasible, comparing the 190 or 491 pathways — or employer-sponsored options — against a realistic timeline is worth doing now rather than after years of waiting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do EOIs stay in the SkillSelect pool?

An EOI remains active in the SkillSelect pool for two years from the date of submission. After two years, it expires and you need to resubmit to re-enter the pool. If your circumstances have changed during those two years (higher English score, more work experience, new qualifications), updating and resubmitting can improve your position.

Can I hold EOIs for multiple visa subclasses at the same time?

Yes. You can hold simultaneous EOIs for the 189 and 190 (and 491 if state-nominated). Maintaining multiple active EOIs is a common strategy. If you receive an invitation for one, you can accept it and withdraw the others, or maintain them if you have not yet decided. You cannot simultaneously hold EOIs that conflict — for example, you cannot hold an active EOI for the same visa subclass twice.

Does the date I lodged my EOI affect my chances?

Yes, but only as a tiebreaker. If two applicants in the same occupation and visa type have the same score, the one who lodged their EOI first has priority. For most applicants, the score difference between competitors is the primary factor — but if you are in a situation where your score is right at the likely minimum, an earlier EOI lodgement date matters.