Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) – Invitation Round Breakdown

✨ Update – August 2025 SkillSelect Invitation Round

The most recent SkillSelect invitation round was held on 21 August 2025, with invitations issued for both the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa and the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa.

This round continues to highlight Australia’s focus on priority occupations and skilled migration pathways, particularly for applicants with strong experience in health, education, and engineering.

👉 Read our full breakdown of the August 2025 SkillSelect invitation round here: Subclass 189 & 491 Invitation Update – August 2025

Invitation Round Date: 7 November 2024

Issued Invitations: 15,000
Program Year: 2024–25 (ending 30 June 2025)

Since then, the Department of Home Affairs has conducted further rounds, including the most recent 21 August 2025 SkillSelect invitation round, which continues to prioritise key skilled occupations across health, education, and engineering.

This guide provides an industry-by-industry breakdown of invited occupations, required points, and whether licensing or registration is needed.

If you’re hoping to secure a Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa, it’s important to act strategically—by understanding recent invitation trends, strengthening your Expression of Interest (EOI), and ensuring you meet licensing or registration requirements where applicable.

To support you, we’ve prepared a comprehensive breakdown and analysis of all occupations invited in the November 2024 round, including minimum points required and whether licensing or registration is needed.

🔧 Trades & Construction

Occupation	Points	Licensing/Registration
Airconditioning/Mechanical Plumber	70	Yes
Bricklayer	65	No
Cabinetmaker	65	No
Carpenter	65	Yes
Electrician (General)	65	Yes
Fibrous Plasterer	65	No
Lift Mechanic	65	Yes
Metal Fabricator	75	Often Required
Metal Machinist (First Class)	90	Often Required
Painting Trades Worker	65	No
Plumber (General)	65	Yes
Sheetmetal Trades Worker	70	Often Required
Solid Plasterer	70	No
Wall and Floor Tiler	65	No
Welder (First Class)	70	Often Required

Note: Licensing is mandatory for electricians, plumbers, and carpenters across all Australian states. Bricklayers, tilers, painters, and plasterers typically do not require licensing but must meet skill assessment criteria.

🏥 Health & Medical

Occupation	Points	Licensing/Registration
Registered Nurse (various)	70–75	Yes (AHPRA)
General Practitioner	75	Yes
Psychologist / Clinical Psychologist	75	Yes
Physiotherapist / Occupational Therapist	75	Yes
Sonographer / Radiographer	75–80	Yes

🧑‍🏫 Education

Occupation	Points	Licensing/Registration
Early Childhood (Pre-primary) Teacher	70	Yes
Secondary School Teacher	70	Yes
Special Needs Teacher	70	Yes
Special Education Teachers nec	75	Yes
University Lecturer	90	Yes

💻 Information Technology (IT)

Occupation	Points	Licensing/Registration
Software Engineer	95	No
ICT Security Specialist	95	No
ICT Business Analyst	95	No
Systems Analyst	95	No
Developer Programmer	95	No
Analyst Programmer	85	No
Multimedia Specialist	85	No

🧮 Accounting & Finance

Occupation	Points	Licensing/Registration
Accountant (General)	95	Yes
Management Accountant	95	Yes
Taxation Accountant	85	Yes
External Auditor	85	Yes

🧪 Science & Engineering

Occupation	Points	Licensing/Registration
Civil Engineer	85	No
Mechanical Engineer	85	No
Electrical Engineer	85	No
Environmental Engineer	85	No
Chemist	90	No

🎭 Arts, Media, Other

Occupation	Points	Licensing/Registration
Musician	90	No
Music Director	90	No
Dancer / Choreographer	90	No
Arts Administrator or Manager	90	No

📊 Remaining Allocations for 2024–25

• Total invitations issued so far: 15,000

• Total expected places for subclass 189 in 2024–25: ~30,000 (based on previous years and budget estimates)

• Remaining allocations: ~15,000–17,000 invitations expected before 30 June 2025

📌 Tips to Increase Your Chances of Receiving an Invitation

1. Maximise Your Points Score:

   • Claim all eligible points (e.g. work experience, partner skills, regional study)

   • Sit for English tests like PTE Academic or IELTS to get higher scores (8+ band)

2. Submit an EOI Early:

   • SkillSelect operates on a merit-based queue—earlier submissions often have an advantage.

3. Consider Multiple EOIs (Cautiously):

   • You can submit EOIs for different occupations (if eligible), but they must be accurate.

   • ⚠️ Important: Claiming incorrect points can lead to a visa refusal, which is costly and could impact future visa options.

4. Get Help from an expert Migration Professional:

   • Navigating the EOI system, skills assessment, and visa process can be complex.

✅ Final Advice

As the financial year comes to a close, your opportunity to secure a 189 visa invitation is now. With thousands of places likely still available, it’s critical to ensure your Expression of Interest (EOI) is accurate, competitive, and professionally prepared.

Need Expert Gudiance?

Let the experienced team at One Planet Migration guide you. We help skilled migrants maximise their chances of receiving an invitation and avoid costly mistakes in their EOI.

Simplifying immigration. Connecting humanity.

Note: The information provided in this article is meant for general informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal advice. Although we strive to provide accurate and useful information, the nuances of Australian immigration law demand personalised advice from legal professionals. Given the dynamic nature of migration regulations, it is essential to consult with experienced immigration experts for up-to-date insights tailored to your individual circumstances. We strongly advise seeking professional guidance to navigate the complexities of Australian immigration law effectively and to achieve the most favorable outcomes for your immigration journey.