What Is the Subclass 189 Visa?

The Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or a state/territory government. It is points-tested and granted through Australia's SkillSelect system.

To be considered for an invitation, applicants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and meet the minimum points threshold. Invitations are issued periodically based on demand, occupation ceilings, and available points.

Key Highlights from This Round

1. 40+ occupations received invitations in this round.
2. Lowest cutoff: 65 points (Plasterer, Carpenter) — great news for skilled tradespeople.
3. Highest cutoff: 95 points (Physicist, Surveyor, Management Consultant, Life Scientist).
4. Several invitations are onshore-only, meaning applicants must already be in Australia.
5. Date of Effect (DOE) conditions apply to some occupations — your EOI must align with these dates.
6. Multiple points levels in a single occupation (e.g. 65/70/75 for Carpenter) reflect different EOI lodgement dates invited in the same round.

How to Read the Points Cutoffs

The table below uses colour-coding to indicate competition level at a glance:

• 65–75 pts – Lower competition; relatively accessible.
• 80–85 pts – Moderate competition; most common range.
• 90–95 pts – High competition; typically onshore or niche occupations.

Full Occupation Points Breakdown

Analysis: What This Round Tells Us

Trades Are Accessible This Round

With Plasterers entering at 65 points and Carpenters from 65–75 points, this is a positive round for tradespeople. Painters (75 pts) and Tilers (70 pts) also remain accessible. If you're a trade professional with a solid points profile, now is the time to lodge or update your EOI.

Healthcare Remains Dominant in Volume

Nursing continues to dominate invitation volumes. RN roles across 7+ specialties received invitations, with most cutoffs between 75 and 85 points. General Practitioners entered at 85 points — reflecting ongoing demand for medical professionals in Australia.

Science and Engineering at 85–95 pts

STEM occupations generally command higher cutoffs. Physicists and Life Scientists (onshore) sit at 90–95 points. Engineers across multiple disciplines appear at 85–90 points. If you're in these fields, maximising your points score before lodging is critical.

Watch the Onshore/Offshore Conditions

Several occupations — including Biotechnologist, Life Scientist, Physicist, Early Childhood Teacher, Solicitor, and Management Consultant — were invited as onshore-only. This means only applicants currently in Australia were selected. Offshore applicants in these streams may need to wait for offshore-specific rounds.

Tips to Strengthen Your EOI

1. Age: Aim to apply before turning 33 for maximum age points (30 pts for age 25–32).
2. English: A Superior score in IELTS or PTE adds 20 points vs Competent (0 pts).
3. Australian Study: If you studied in Australia, claim the 5-point bonus.
4. Partner Skills: A skilled partner adds 10 points to your profile.
5. State Nomination: If eligible, subclass 190 state nomination adds 5 pts and may have lower occupation cutoffs.
6. Keep your EOI updated: Points cutoffs shift every round — check SkillSelect regularly.

Disclaimer

This document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute migration advice. Immigration rules and invitation rounds change frequently. Always consult a registered migration agent (MARA) or the Department of Home Affairs for the most current information.