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Australia Holds Major SkillSelect Draw, Inviting 20,000 Candidates for Subclass 189 Visa
Australia has announced a major skilled migration selection, issuing 20,000 invitations through its SkillSelect system on October 15, 2026. The invitation round focused on candidates pursuing permanent residency through the Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189), with minimum points requirements differing across occupations.
Professionals from a wide range of industries, including healthcare, engineering, information technology, education, construction and scientific research, were considered in the latest selection.
The results offer skilled migration applicants an opportunity to evaluate the competitiveness of their occupations and understand the points thresholds required to receive an invitation. Candidates with submitted Expressions of Interest (EOIs) can use these results to assess their standing and prepare for subsequent invitation rounds.
October 2026 Australia SkillSelect Invitation Round: Overview
The Department of Home Affairs conducted the latest SkillSelect selection on October 15, 2026.
Key details of the round include:
- Invitation date: October 15, 2026
- Total invitations issued: 20,000
- Selected visa category: Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189)
- Selection method: SkillSelect points-based invitation system
The minimum points requirement was not uniform across all occupations. While several trade occupations received invitations at 65 points, certain technology, engineering and specialist professional occupations required considerably higher scores.
Subclass 189 Draw: Minimum Points by Occupation
The October invitation round covered a broad range of skilled occupations. The following list presents the minimum points requirements reported for each occupation.
| Occupation | Minimum Points |
|---|---|
| Actuary | 85 |
| Agricultural Consultant | 80 |
| Agricultural Scientist | 80 |
| Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber | 65 |
| Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic | 65 |
| Architect | 85 |
| Arts Administrator or Manager | 65 |
| Audiologist | 70 |
| Automotive Electrician | 65 |
| Barrister | 70 |
| Biotechnologist | 90 |
| Boat Builder and Repairer | 65 |
| Bricklayer | 65 |
| Cabinetmaker | 65 |
| Cardiologist | 75 |
| Carpenter | 65 |
| Carpenter and Joiner | 65 |
| Cartographer | 85 |
| Chemical Engineer | 85 |
| Chemist | 80 |
| Child Care Centre Manager | 85 |
| Chiropractor | 80 |
| Clinical Psychologist | 90 |
| Conservator | 90 |
| Construction Project Manager | 80 |
| Dancer or Choreographer | 65 |
| Dermatologist | 85 |
| Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist | 75 |
| Drainer | 65 |
| Early Childhood Teacher | 90 |
| Economist | 65 |
| Educational Psychologist | 65 |
| Electrical Engineering Draftsperson | 65 |
| Electrical Engineering Technician | 65 |
| Electrician (General) | 65 |
| Electrician (Special Class) | 65 |
| Electronic Equipment Trades Worker | 65 |
| Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (General) | 65 |
| Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (Special Class) | 65 |
| Electronics Engineer | 95 |
| Emergency Medicine Specialist | 70 |
| Endocrinologist | 80 |
| Engineering Manager | 80 |
| Environmental Consultant | 65 |
| Environmental Manager | 65 |
| Environmental Research Scientist | 65 |
| Environmental Scientists nec | 65 |
| Fibrous Plasterer | 65 |
| Fitter (General) | 80 |
| Fitter Welder | 80 |
| Food Technologist | 80 |
| Footballer | 70 |
| Forester | 80 |
| Gasfitter | 70 |
| Gastroenterologist | 75 |
| General Practitioner | 70 |
| Geophysicist | 80 |
| Glazier | 65 |
| Horse Trainer | 65 |
| Hydrogeologist | 80 |
| ICT Security Specialist | 100 |
| Intensive Care Specialist | 75 |
| Joiner | 65 |
| Land Economist | 65 |
| Landscape Architect | 85 |
| Life Scientist (General) | 90 |
| Life Scientists nec | 90 |
| Lift Mechanic | 80 |
| Locksmith | 65 |
| Management Consultant | 80 |
| Marine Biologist | 95 |
| Materials Engineer | 85 |
| Medical Diagnostic Radiographer | 70 |
| Medical Laboratory Scientist | 80 |
| Medical Oncologist | 70 |
| Medical Practitioners nec | 70 |
| Medical Radiation Therapist | 75 |
| Metal Fabricator | 80 |
| Metal Machinist (First Class) | 80 |
| Metallurgist | 80 |
| Meteorologist | 85 |
| Microbiologist | 90 |
| Midwife | 70 |
| Mining Engineer | 80 |
| Multimedia Specialist | 90 |
| Music Director | 70 |
| Musician (Instrumental) | 65 |
| Natural and Physical Science Professionals nec | 85 |
| Neurologist | 75 |
| Neurosurgeon | 85 |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist | 70 |
| Nurse Practitioner | 70 |
| Nursing Clinical Director | 75 |
| Obstetrician and Gynaecologist | 70 |
| Occupational Therapist | 70 |
| Ophthalmologist | 80 |
| Optometrist | 80 |
| Orthopaedic Surgeon | 80 |
| Orthotist or Prosthetist | 80 |
| Osteopath | 80 |
| Other Spatial Scientist | 80 |
| Paediatrician | 70 |
| Painting Trades Worker | 70 |
| Panelbeater | 65 |
| Pathologist | 70 |
| Petroleum Engineer | 80 |
| Physicist | 80 |
| Physiotherapist | 70 |
| Plumber (General) | 65 |
| Podiatrist | 70 |
| Primary Health Organisation Manager | 65 |
| Psychiatrist | 70 |
| Psychologists nec | 80 |
| Radiocommunications Technician | 85 |
| Registered Nurse (Aged Care) | 70 |
| Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) | 70 |
| Registered Nurse (Community Health) | 70 |
| Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) | 70 |
| Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability) | 70 |
| Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation) | 70 |
| Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) | 70 |
| Registered Nurse (Medical) | 70 |
| Registered Nurse (Mental Health) | 70 |
| Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) | 70 |
| Registered Nurse (Perioperative) | 70 |
| Registered Nurse (Surgical) | 70 |
| Registered Nurses nec | 70 |
| Roof Plumber | 65 |
| Secondary School Teacher | 80 |
| Sheetmetal Trades Worker | 65 |
| Shipwright | 65 |
| Social Worker | 80 |
| Solicitor | 65 |
| Solid Plasterer | 65 |
| Sonographer | 75 |
| Special Education Teachers nec | 80 |
| Special Needs Teacher | 80 |
| Specialist Physician (General Medicine) | 75 |
| Specialist Physicians nec | 85 |
| Speech Pathologist | 70 |
| Statistician | 85 |
| Stonemason | 65 |
| Surgeon (General) | 90 |
| Surveyor | 80 |
| Technical Cable Jointer | 70 |
| Telecommunications Engineer | 85 |
| Telecommunications Field Engineer | 85 |
| Telecommunications Network Engineer | 85 |
| Telecommunications Network Planner | 85 |
| Telecommunications Technical Officer or Technologist | 85 |
| Tennis Coach | 65 |
| University Lecturer | 90 |
| Urologist | 100 |
| Valuer | 65 |
| Veterinarian | 80 |
| Wall and Floor Tiler | 65 |
| Welder (First Class) | 80 |
| Welfare Centre Manager | 65 |
| Zoologist | 95 |
Which Occupations Required the Highest Points?
The October results show considerable differences in the minimum scores across professional categories. ICT Security Specialist and Urologist recorded the highest listed thresholds at 100 points. Electronics Engineer, Marine Biologist and Zoologist followed with requirements of 95 points.
Several occupations, including Biotechnologist, Clinical Psychologist, Conservator, Early Childhood Teacher, Microbiologist, Multimedia Specialist, General Surgeon and University Lecturer, required 90 points. On the other hand, numerous construction, electrical, plumbing and other trade occupations received invitations at 65 points. These differences demonstrate that the points threshold depends heavily on the nominated occupation and the selection requirements applied during an invitation round.
State and Territory Nomination Results
Alongside the Subclass 189 invitation round, state and territory nomination figures provide additional information for skilled migrants considering other Australian permanent and provisional visa options. The following figures cover invitations associated with the Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491).
| State and Territory | Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) | Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491) |
|---|---|---|
| ACT | <5 | <5 |
| NSW | 11 | 0 |
| NT | 188 | 208 |
| Qld | 7 | <5 |
| SA | 0 | 0 |
| Tas | 271 | 96 |
| Vic | 0 | 0 |
| WA | 17 | 120 |
These figures highlight the different nomination activity across Australian jurisdictions. Tasmania recorded 271 Subclass 190 and 96 Subclass 491 invitations, while the Northern Territory recorded 188 and 208 respectively. State and territory nomination pathways provide additional options for applicants whose qualifications and employment backgrounds align with regional or state-specific requirements.
How Does Australia's SkillSelect System Select Candidates?
Skill Select is the Australian government’s online platform for managing Expressions of Interest from skilled migration applicants. Candidates interested in eligible skilled visa categories must provide information about their qualifications, employment history, English language proficiency and other points-test factors.
The selection process generally follows these stages:
- Create an EOI: Submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect with details of your qualifications, work experience and personal eligibility.
- Receive a points assessment: Your profile is assessed under the applicable skilled migration points test.
- Enter the invitation pool: Your EOI remains available for consideration in relevant invitation rounds.
- Wait for selection: The Department of Home Affairs considers eligible profiles and issues invitations according to the applicable selection criteria.
- Submit the visa application: If invited, complete the visa application and provide the required supporting evidence within the prescribed timeframe.
Candidates with higher points scores generally have a stronger position in the selection process. When applicants have equal scores, the date and time they achieved their points score may determine invitation priority through the tie-break mechanism. An EOI submission does not guarantee an invitation. Candidates must also satisfy the relevant visa requirements when applying.
Conclusion
The October 2026 results offer useful information for professionals planning to migrate to Australia through the Skilled Independent visa. Applicants should review their nominated occupations, calculate their current points, check their qualifications, and ensure their SkillSelect profiles contain accurate and updated information.
Those who do not meet the latest invitation threshold can explore ways to improve their points or consider other suitable skilled migration pathways, including state and territory nomination.
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3. Full-Time Equivalency Standard
Full-time work is defined as at least 30 hours per week. Candidates must accumulate the equivalent of 12 months at this standard.
- 30 hours per week for 12 months qualify.
- Part-time work is acceptable if it equals the same total number of hours (for example, 15 hours per week over 24 months).
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