Updated on 01 October 2026 The Department of Home Affairs has revised the timeline for the next Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) invitation round. The round is now expected to be held by 31 October 2026. Earlier guidance pointed to 30 September 2026, which adds roughly one month to the wait.

For applicants already in the SkillSelect pool, this means more time with an unchanged EOI. It also means more time to strengthen it.

Revised Timeline for the Next Round

The wording on the Home Affairs page is important. The round is expected to be held "by" 31 October, which makes it a deadline and not a confirmed date. Invitations could be issued earlier in October or closer to the end of the month.

The 189 program also does not run on a published calendar. Home Affairs sets timing based on program capacity and skills demand, so the date may be updated again. Treat 31 October as a planning guide and keep your EOI ready from today.

Recent Round History

Recent rounds show how the program has been running.

• In the 2025-26 program year, the 189 had 6,887 invitations in August, 10,000 in November and 10,000 in June.

• The latest round took place on 4 June 2026, with 10,000 EOIs invited and a tie-break date of 24 April 2026.

• Several months in the program year had no invitations at all.

Rounds are now larger and less frequent. When one opens, a high number of applicants compete for invitations at the same time.

Expectations for the October Round

Exact figures are not public, so be careful with any website that claims to know them. These points follow from how the system works.

1. Competition will stay high. 

   The minimum is 65 points, but most invitations go to applicants with higher scores. In recent rounds, some occupations required 85 points or more for the subclass 189.

2. Occupation carries as much weight as points. 

   Cut-off scores differ between occupations. A 90 point profile in a crowded occupation can remain in the pool, while a 70 point profile in a high demand occupation may be invited.

3. The tie-break date still applies. 

   When applicants share the same score, the date your points last changed decides the order. The earlier date ranks first, so avoid editing your EOI without a clear reason.

4. Round size is uncertain. 

   The last three rounds ran at or near 10,000 invitations, but there is no guarantee the next one will match.

Preparing Your EOI

One extra month is enough time to fix the problems that most often cost applicants.

1. Verify your points. 

   Check each claim line by line, including age, English, education and work experience. Every claim needs evidence, and points are assessed again at the visa application stage.

2. Check your EOI validity. 

   An EOI stays valid for 2 years. If yours is close to expiring, plan ahead.

3. Confirm your skills assessment. 

   It should be current and match the occupation on your EOI.

4. Review your English result. 

   If a retake could lift you to Proficient or Superior, book it early, since test dates and results take time.

5. Gather your documents. 

   Passports, employment references, payslips, qualifications and police checks are easier to collect before an invitation arrives.

After Receiving An Invitation

Once invited, you have 60 calendar days to lodge the visa application. Do not leave this until the final week, because health checks, police certificates and translations often take longer than expected. If you receive two invitations and do not apply, your EOI is removed from SkillSelect.

Alternative Pathways

If your score is on the lower side, the 189 is not your only option. State and territory nominations for the subclass 190 and the subclass 491 are managed independently by each government and are not subject to the Department's invitation rounds. Many states open and close their programs throughout the year, so lodging an EOI for nomination can be worthwhile. Your occupation, work history and preferred location will influence which state suits you.

Summary

The revised date of 31 October 2026 is a short extension to the waiting period and does not close any door. Keep your EOI accurate, avoid changes that reset your date of effect, and have your documents ready so you can act quickly when the round is released.