When Is the Next 189 Invitation Round? Expected by 30 September 2026

The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed the date many skilled migration hopefuls have been waiting for: the next Skilled Independent (subclass 189) invitation round is expected to be held by 30 September 2026. If your Expression of Interest (EOI) is sitting in the SkillSelect pool, here is exactly what that means and how to use the window before it.

The official update: next 189 round by 30 September 2026

Home Affairs has advised that the next subclass 189 invitation round is expected by 30 September 2026, and that you should make sure your EOI is up to date and that every detail you have provided is accurate. The 2025-26 program year has finished its rounds, so these new invitations fall in the fresh 2026-27 program year.

In plain terms, there is a quiet stretch right now, and then invitations open again. The people who treat this gap as preparation time are usually the ones who get picked first.

What happened in the last round (4 June 2026)

The 4 June 2026 round was the final 189 round of the 2025-26 year, and it gives you a good read on where the bar sits. Invitations went out across a wide spread of occupations, with points ranging from 65 to 100:

• •65 points (the lowest cut-off): trades such as electricians, plumbers, carpenters, joiners, tilers, glaziers and bricklayers
• •70 points: gasfitters
• •75 points: registered nurses and midwives, physiotherapists, psychologists, teachers and social workers
• •80 points and above: engineers, agricultural professionals, construction managers and medical specialists
• •100 points: the highest invited in the round

The pattern has been steady all year. In-demand trades and healthcare roles get invited at lower scores, while most professional occupations need 80 points or more to stay competitive. Our free points calculator gives you a quick estimate of where you stand today, and for the full detail of the last round see our June 2026 invitation round update.

What this means for you

If you are applying from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana or anywhere else in Africa, the gap between rounds is not dead time. It is your runway. Use it to:

• •Keep your EOI current. Update your work experience, English result and any new qualifications. An out-of-date EOI can quietly cost you points or an invitation.
• •Lift your points where you can. A higher English score (Superior English is worth up to 20 points), more skilled experience, a partner skills assessment or the Professional Year program can each move you up a tier. Start with the subclass 189 guide.
• •Line up a backup pathway. If 189 is out of reach on your current score, state nomination (subclass 190) adds 5 points and regional (subclass 491) adds 15. Our 189 vs 190 vs 491 guide shows which one suits your situation.
• •Get your skills assessment moving early. It is the slowest step for most applicants, so do not wait for the round to open to begin.

When exactly will the round land?

Home Affairs has said "by 30 September 2026", which means it could come anytime between now and the end of September. Rounds are rarely announced far ahead, so the safest approach is to be invitation-ready now rather than scrambling on the day. Always confirm the latest dates and results on the official SkillSelect invitation rounds page.

How Afrovo can help

Afrovo is QEAC-certified and works alongside MARA-partnered registered migration agents, so we help you understand where you genuinely stand and build a realistic, points-aware plan before the round opens. Start with a free Pathway Snapshot, or get a personalised Visa Pathway Report, and we will help you make the most of this window.

_General information only. This article is not personal migration advice and is not a guarantee of any visa outcome. Invitation timing, points settings and occupation lists are decided by the Australian Government and can change at any time, so always confirm current details with the Department of Home Affairs. For guidance on your own situation, speak to the Afrovo team and our MARA-partnered registered migration agents._