Updated on 15 October 2026 Key takeaways

The October 2026 round is the first Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) invitation round of the 2026-27 program year. Recipients have shared the points they were invited with. Home Affairs had not published an occupation breakdown when this post was written, so the figures below are unofficial.

• The reports cover 61 occupations and 93 individual points scores, from 65 to 105 points.

• Engineering, science, accounting and university lecturing show the highest figures, mostly 85 to 105. Trades and several health occupations show invitations at 65 to 80.

• 28 of the 61 occupations had at least one report of 85 points or more. 10 of the 15 trade occupations had no report above 70.

• A single score is one person's result and not a cut-off. Ranking within a points total also depends on the date the points last changed.

• An occupation missing from the list does not mean no invitations were issued. The list only reflects what recipients chose to share.

Reported Scores By Occupation

Highest Scores by Field

1. Engineering and science. 

   16 of the 20 occupations had at least one score of 85 or more, and Electronics Engineer was reported at 100.

2. Business and professional. 

   University Lecturer had the highest single figure at 105, and Accountant (General) was reported at 100.

3. Health.

   Reported nursing scores run from 70 to 90, with most between 75 and 80. Only Registered Nurses nec, Medical Laboratory Scientist and Veterinarian had a report of 85 or more.

4. Education. 

   Teaching reports run from 80 to 90.

5. Trades.

   Stonemason was reported at 90, while bricklayer, cabinetmaker, electrician (general), joiner, plasterer, roof plumber and sheetmetal trades worker were each reported at 65.

   
   

Reported Scores and Cut-Offs

Low reports, particularly 65 in some trades, show that invitations reached those totals in this round. They do not show that the same totals will be invited in the next round. Round size, the occupation pool and the mix of applicants change from round to round, and SkillSelect ranks EOIs with the same points total by the date the points last changed.

After The Invitation

1. Lodge within 60 calendar days. 

   An invitation allows 60 calendar days to lodge the visa application, and the invitation lapses after that.

2. Prepare the evidence early. 

   Identity, qualification, employment and police check documents take time to gather, and health examinations and translations can add to that.

3. Match the claims to the evidence. 

   The points claimed in the EOI are tested against documents at the visa stage, so every claim needs support.

4. Confirm the skills assessment. 

   It needs to stay valid and match the nominated occupation.

Applicants Not Yet Invited

No further 2026-27 round dates have been published. Applicants below the reported scores for an occupation can still improve their position.

• Keep the SkillSelect EOI accurate. Changes to points can reset the date of effect.

• Check whether an English retest, a partner skills assessment or additional work experience could lift the total.

• Consider state nomination for subclass 190 or 491, which runs separately from the Home Affairs invitation rounds.