Why Having a Skilled Occupation Doesn’t Guarantee an Invitation under the 189 Independent Visa

There’s a common misconception that just because your occupation appears on the government’s Skilled Occupation List (SOL), you will automatically receive an invitation under the 189 visa once you lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI). Historically — especially before COVID-19 — that assumption had more merit. If you had the required minimum points, you were very likely to be invited. Even during a surprise post-COVID round a few years ago, some people received invitations in occupations where they had minimal or no experience.

But things have changed.

What’s Changed: Targeted, Demand-Driven Selection

Today, the Department of Home Affairs is taking a much more strategic — and selective — approach. Rather than broadly inviting anyone whose occupation appears on the SOL, invitations are now guided by real labour-market demand and workforce data. The Department of Home Affairs works with bodies such as Jobs & Skills Australia and other external stakeholders to identify sectors and occupations where Australia genuinely needs skilled workers.

That means:

• Critical shortage sectors are prioritised — health, education, engineering, trades & construction, STEM and community services
• Invitations favour candidates with substantial and relevant work experience — not graduates, not junior-level workers
• Salary level and English proficiency are used as indicators of employability — especially for independent visa holders who are expected to work in their skilled occupation without further assistance
• More emphasis is placed on senior, highly skilled talent who can immediately contribute to the Australian economy

In short: “Skilled” now means experienced, in-demand, and job-ready.

Recent Trends — What the Latest Rounds Tell Us

The most recent invitation round for the 189 occurred on 13 November 2025, being the second invitation round for the 2025–26 financial year.

• This round continued to target high-demand occupations, including healthcare and other critical roles
• Scores well above the 65-point minimum are increasingly required — particularly in competitive occupations.

10,000 invitations were sent in this most recent round, whereas in the previous round on 21 August 2025, 6,887 invitations were issued under the 189 visa.

Together, these rounds show that the 189 program is still active — but highly selective.

What This Means for Applicants

✔ Being on the SOL only gives you eligibility

It does not mean you are in a priority occupation, nor does it guarantee an invitation. 

✔ You need competitive points

• Successful EOIs commonly sit at 85–95+ points, not the minimum 65
• Low thresholds don’t mean it’s easy – rather, the government is deliberately targeting these occupations because of persistent shortages
• High volume plus lower points equals strong demand, not low competition

✔ Experience matters more than ever

Australia is targeting applicants who:

• are already working at a skilled level 
• have relevant post-qualification work history
• are earning a salary consistent with their skilled occupation level

✔ English proficiency is crucial

Applicants with superior English gain more points but also demonstrate the communication skills expected in high-skill employment.

✔ Your EOI must be updated and accurate

Home Affairs automatically considers the information currently in your SkillSelect profile when deciding who to invite — so ensure you continuously update it with:

• newly gained skilled work experience
• improved English test scores
• Australian study or credential changes
• employment changes, promotions, and salary uplifts
• partner skill or English updates

A static EOI not only reduces your points competitiveness—it may suggest your employability hasn’t improved.

✔ Employability is now central

Because the 189 visa does not require employer or state sponsorship, the Australian government needs confidence that recipients will:

• continue working in their skilled occupation long-term
• fill a workforce shortage
• contribute productively to the economy

Competitiveness & Trends by Occupation Group

1. Trades – Low Points but Still Competitive

• Cut-offs: Many core trades (carpenter, electrician, bricklayer, tiler, plumbers) sat at 65–70 points in both rounds

2. Health – Mid-Range Points with High Invitation Volumes

• Registered Nurses: Around 80 points in August (grouped), with November showing 75+ across most RN categories
• Other health roles (GPs, radiographers, physios, OT, psychologists): Typically 75–85 points in November

3. Education & Social Services – High but Easing in Places

• Early Childhood Teacher: Stable at 85 in both rounds – consistently high demand and competition
• Secondary School Teacher & Social Worker: Dropped from around 85 in August to 75 in November, indicating a conscious effort to pull more experienced educators and social workers through with slightly lower thresholds

4. Professional & STEM Occupations – High Cut-Offs

• Roles like Architect, Construction Project Manager, Environmental Consultant, Management Consultant, Solicitor, various scientists and engineers mostly sat around:
  • 90 points in August
  • 85 points in November 

5. Extremely Competitive Occupations

• Metal Fabricator: From 105 points in August down to 85 in November
• Metal Machinist (First Class) and some electronics-related trades: pushing 95–100 points in November

Conclusion

The Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa remains one of the most desirable pathways to permanent residency — but also one of the most competitive. The focus has shifted from broad eligibility to strategic selection of those who:
✔ possess a targeted, shortage-listed occupation
✔ are highly experienced and job-ready
✔ are strong communicators with high English
✔ can demonstrate their value in the labour market
✔ maintain a fully updated EOI

Australia continues to increase opportunities for skilled migrants, and Migration Downunder continues to help skilled migrants – such as engineers, nurses, teachers and trades people – turn their dreams into reality!

Get in touch with us today and book in a consultation with one of our experienced Migration Agents.

189 – August vs November 2025: Minimum Points by Occupation

*In August, “Registered Nurse (all major categories)” were grouped at 80 points; November has separate RN categories with 75 as the minimum for several (including Aged Care), which indicates a slight softening in that group