189 Invitation Round Moves to 15 October 2026

By Shreyy Duggal, October 09 2026

So, the 189 invitation round has moved

If you've been checking SkillSelect since the end of September, you're not alone. The first 189 round of the 2026–27 program year was expected by 30 September. It's now expected by 15 October.

That's another month of waiting. Frustrating, sure. But it's also a month you can actually use, because small gaps in an EOI are more common than people think, and a few weeks is usually enough to close them.

What's actually changed

Not much, really. Just the timing, and even that comes with a catch. Home Affairs says the round is expected by 15 October, which means it could happen any day up to that date. So don't circle the 31st and assume that's when it'll be.

Everything else stays the same. The 189 is still a points-tested permanent visa with no employer, state or family sponsor needed. You still need at least 65 points to lodge an EOI, though 65 on its own rarely gets you invited (more on that below). And once you're invited, you still get 60 days to lodge your full application.

What nobody knows yet is how many invitations will go out, which occupations will be included, or where the cut-offs will land. If you see exact numbers being quoted for this round, take them with a pinch of salt.

A quick look back at the June 189 invitation round

The last 189 round ran on 4 June 2026. Home Affairs sent out 10,000 invitations, and the scores needed ranged anywhere from 65 to 100 points depending on the occupation. The tie-break date was 24 April 2026.

That range is the bit worth paying attention to. Some occupations got through at the bare minimum, while others needed 100. So when someone asks what score they need, the honest answer is that it depends almost entirely on their occupation.

It's also worth remembering that a new program year started on 1 July. Occupation ceilings reset, and priorities can shift, so treat June as a useful reference rather than a prediction.

Why this matters for your EOI

Something a lot of applicants miss: you're invited based on what your EOI says on the day the round runs. What you meant to update, or what you'll have next month, doesn't come into it.

So if your latest PTE score came in higher, or you've just completed another year of skilled employment, get it into your EOI now. Those extra points only help if they're there before the round.

It works the other way too. If your skills assessment or English test is close to expiring, check the dates. And if anything in your EOI isn't quite accurate, fix it. An invitation built on a wrong claim can still end in a refusal later, which is far worse than waiting for the next round.

Before 15 October, check these

Pull out your documents and go through this list. It shouldn't take more than an afternoon.

1. Recalculate your points from your actual documents, not from memory.
   

2. Make sure your skills assessment is still valid and matches the occupation you've nominated.
   

3. Look at your English test's expiry date, and whether a retake could realistically move you into a higher band.
   

4. Cross-check your work experience dates and hours against your assessment outcome.
   

5. Update anything personal that's changed, like your relationship status or qualifications.

   It's not exciting work. But it's often what separates an invitation from another few months of waiting.
   

Should you be relying on 189 alone?

Probably not. The 189 gives you the most freedom of the three skilled visas, but it's also the most competitive, and as this delay shows, the timing isn't in your hands.

That's why it usually makes sense to keep your state and regional options open alongside it. A 190 needs nomination from a state or territory, adds 5 points, and asks you to live in that state for two years. A 491 can be nominated by a state, a territory or an eligible family member, adds 15 points, and means living and working in a regional area.

State programs run on their own schedules, and some are already moving for 2026–27. Tasmania ran a round on 1 October, and the ACT has listed the week of 12 October for its next one. If your profile is eligible for more than one pathway, there's rarely a good reason to wait on just one.

Frequently asked questions

When is the next 189 invitation round in 2026?

Home Affairs currently expects it by 15 October 2026. An exact date hasn't been announced.

Why was the 189 invitation round moved from 30 September?

Home Affairs hasn't given a reason. The Department sets round timing itself, and it does change from time to time.

Is 65 points enough to get a 189 invitation?

Usually not on its own. 65 is the minimum to lodge an EOI. In the June 2026 round, invited scores ranged from 65 to 100 depending on the occupation.

Can I still update my EOI before the round?

Yes, and you should if anything has changed. Invitations are based on what your EOI shows at the time of the round.

What happens once I'm invited?

You'll have 60 days to lodge a complete visa application, so it helps to have your documents ready beforehand.

Final thoughts

Nobody enjoys waiting on a round. But a month is a decent amount of time, and it's better spent tightening your EOI than refreshing your inbox.

If you'd like a second pair of eyes on your points, occupation or pathway options before the round, our team at WeAbide is happy to help. We have a registered migration agent on our Advisory Board, and a profile review is a good place to start.

Information correct as of 9 October 2026. Round timing is decided by the Department of Home Affairs and can change, so it's always worth checking the official SkillSelect page.