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Australia Issues 20,000 Skilled Visa Invitations – Is Your Occupation on the List?
Subclass 189 invitation marked a significant opportunity for skilled workers seeking Australian permanent residency. Australia issued 20,000 invitations last October.
The results cover a wide range of occupations across different industries. They provide useful insights into Australia's skilled migration priorities and workforce needs. International students, graduates and skilled workers can use this information to better understand their options and plan their future in Australia.
October 2026 SkillSelect Invitation Round at a Glance
Invitations Issued
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
Eligible Point
Minimum threshold
Invitation Round Date
2026 SkillSelect invitation round
Which Occupations Were Invited in October 2026?
Explore the professional and trade occupations included in the latest invitation round. Click a category to view occupation details and minimum points.
Management
Project managers, engineering managers and management professionals.
Arts, Finance & Consulting
Actuaries, economists, arts administrators and consultants.
Engineering
Civil, mechanical, electrical, mining and other engineering professionals.
Agriculture & Science
Agricultural scientists, environmental scientists, biologists and other science professionals.
Education & Teaching
Early childhood, secondary and special needs teachers.
Healthcare & Medical Specialists
Doctors, medical specialists and allied health professionals.
Nursing & Midwifery
Registered nurses, nurse practitioners and midwives.
IT & Telecommunications
ICT security specialists and telecommunications engineers.
Law, Psychology & Social Work
Solicitors, psychologists and social workers.
Technicians & Drafting
Engineering technicians and technical draftspersons.
Mechanics & Metal Trades
Mechanics, welders, fitters and metal fabricators.
Building & Plumbing Trades
Carpenters, bricklayers, plumbers and building tradespeople.
Electrical & Other Trades
Electricians and other eligible trade professionals.
Note: Minimum invitation scores vary by occupation. These categories summarise selected occupations invited in October 2026.
Occupation Details
Management
| Occupation | Minimum Points |
|---|---|
| Construction Project Manager | 80 |
| Engineering Manager | 80 |
| Child Care Centre Manager | 85 |
| Nursing Clinical Director | 75 |
| Primary Health Organisation Manager | 65 |
| Welfare Centre Manager | 65 |
| Arts Administrator or Manager | 65 |
| Environmental Manager | 65 |
Arts, Finance & Consulting
| Occupation | Minimum Points |
|---|---|
| Dancer or Choreographer | 65 |
| Music Director | 70 |
| Musician (Instrumental) | 65 |
| Artistic Director | — |
| Accountant (General) | — |
| Management Accountant | — |
| Taxation Accountant | — |
| External Auditor | — |
| Internal Auditor | — |
| Actuary | 85 |
| Statistician | 85 |
| Economist | 65 |
| Land Economist | 65 |
| Valuer | 65 |
| Management Consultant | 80 |
Engineering
| Occupation | Minimum Points |
|---|---|
| Architect | 85 |
| Landscape Architect | 85 |
| Surveyor | 80 |
| Cartographer | 85 |
| Other Spatial Scientist | 80 |
| Chemical Engineer | 85 |
| Materials Engineer | 85 |
| Civil Engineer | — |
| Geotechnical Engineer | — |
| Quantity Surveyor | — |
| Structural Engineer | — |
| Transport Engineer | — |
| Electrical Engineer | — |
| Electronics Engineer | 95 |
| Industrial Engineer | — |
| Mechanical Engineer | — |
| Production or Plant Engineer | — |
| Mining Engineer (Excluding Petroleum) | 80 |
| Petroleum Engineer | 80 |
| Aeronautical Engineer | — |
| Agricultural Engineer | — |
| Biomedical Engineer | — |
| Engineering Technologist | — |
| Environmental Engineer | — |
| Naval Architect / Marine Designer | — |
| Engineering Professionals (NEC) | — |
Agriculture & Science
| Occupation | Minimum Points |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Consultant | 80 |
| Agricultural Scientist | 80 |
| Forester / Forest Scientist | 80 |
| Chemist | 80 |
| Food Technologist | 80 |
| Environmental Consultant | 65 |
| Environmental Research Scientist | 65 |
| Environmental Scientist (NEC) | 65 |
| Geophysicist | 80 |
| Hydrogeologist | 80 |
| Life Scientist (General) | 90 |
| Biochemist | — |
| Biotechnologist | 90 |
| Botanist | — |
| Marine Biologist | 95 |
| Microbiologist | 90 |
| Zoologist | 95 |
| Life Scientists (NEC) | 90 |
| Medical Laboratory Scientist | 80 |
| Veterinarian | 80 |
| Conservator | 90 |
| Metallurgist | 80 |
| Meteorologist | 85 |
| Physicist | 80 |
| Natural and Physical Science Professionals (NEC) | 85 |
Education
| Occupation | Minimum Points |
|---|---|
| Early Childhood (Pre Primary School) Teacher | 90 |
| Secondary School Teacher | 80 |
| Special Needs Teacher | 80 |
| Teacher of the Hearing Impaired | — |
| Teacher of the Sight Impaired | — |
| Special Education Teachers (NEC) | 80 |
| University Lecturer | 90 |
Healthcare & Medical Specialists
| Occupation | Minimum Points |
|---|---|
| Medical Diagnostic Radiographer | 70 |
| Medical Radiation Therapist | 75 |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist | 70 |
| Sonographer | 75 |
| Optometrist | 80 |
| Orthotist or Prosthetist | 80 |
| Chiropractor | 80 |
| Osteopath | 80 |
| Occupational Therapist | 70 |
| Physiotherapist | 70 |
| Podiatrist | 70 |
| Audiologist | 70 |
| Speech Pathologist / Speech Language Therapist | 70 |
| General Practitioner | 70 |
| Specialist Physician (General Medicine) | 75 |
| Cardiologist | 75 |
| Clinical Haematologist | — |
| Medical Oncologist | 70 |
| Endocrinologist | 80 |
| Gastroenterologist | 75 |
| Intensive Care Specialist | 75 |
| Neurologist | 75 |
| Paediatrician | 70 |
| Renal Medicine Specialist | — |
| Rheumatologist | — |
| Thoracic Medicine Specialist | — |
| Specialist Physicians (NEC) | 85 |
| Psychiatrist | 70 |
| Surgeon (General) | 90 |
| Cardiothoracic Surgeon | — |
| Neurosurgeon | 85 |
| Orthopaedic Surgeon | 80 |
| Otorhinolaryngologist | — |
| Paediatric Surgeon | — |
| Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon | — |
| Urologist | 100 |
| Vascular Surgeon | — |
| Dermatologist | 85 |
| Emergency Medicine Specialist | 70 |
| Obstetrician and Gynaecologist | 70 |
| Ophthalmologist | 80 |
| Pathologist | 70 |
| Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist | 75 |
| Radiation Oncologist | — |
| Medical Practitioners (NEC) | 70 |
Nursing & Midwifery
| Occupation | Minimum Points |
|---|---|
| Midwife | 70 |
| Nurse Practitioner | 70 |
| Registered Nurse (Aged Care) | 70 |
| Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) | 70 |
| Registered Nurse (Community Health) | 70 |
| Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) | 70 |
| Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability) | 70 |
| Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation) | 70 |
| Registered Nurse (Medical) | 70 |
| Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) | 70 |
| Registered Nurse (Mental Health) | 70 |
| Registered Nurse (Perioperative) | 70 |
| Registered Nurse (Surgical) | 70 |
| Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) | 70 |
| Registered Nurses (NEC) | 70 |
IT & Telecommunications
| Occupation | Minimum Points |
|---|---|
| ICT Business Analyst | — |
| Systems Analyst | — |
| Multimedia Specialist | 90 |
| Analyst Programmer | — |
| Developer Programmer | — |
| Software Engineer | — |
| Software and Applications Programmers (NEC) | — |
| ICT Security Specialist | 100 |
| Computer Network and Systems Engineer | — |
| Telecommunications Engineer | 85 |
| Telecommunications Network Engineer | 85 |
Law, Psychology & Social Work
| Occupation | Minimum Points |
|---|---|
| Barrister | 70 |
| Solicitor | 65 |
| Clinical Psychologist | 90 |
| Educational Psychologist | 65 |
| Organisational Psychologist | — |
| Psychologists (NEC) | 80 |
| Social Worker | 80 |
Technicians & Drafting
| Occupation | Minimum Points |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Draftsperson | — |
| Civil Engineering Technician | — |
| Electrical Engineering Draftsperson | 65 |
| Electrical Engineering Technician | 65 |
| Radio Communications Technician | 85 |
| Telecommunications Field Engineer | 85 |
| Telecommunications Network Planner | 85 |
| Telecommunications Technical Officer or Technologist | 85 |
Mechanics & Metal Trades
| Occupation | Minimum Points |
|---|---|
| Automotive Electrician | 65 |
| Motor Mechanic (General) | — |
| Diesel Motor Mechanic | — |
| Motorcycle Mechanic | — |
| Small Engine Mechanic | — |
| Sheetmetal Worker | 65 |
| Metal Fabricator | 80 |
| Pressure Welder | — |
| Welder (First Class) | 80 |
| Fitter (General) | 80 |
| Fitter and Turner | — |
| Fitter Welder | 80 |
| Metal Machinist (First Class) | 80 |
| Locksmith | 65 |
| Panelbeater | 65 |
Building & Plumbing Trades
| Occupation | Minimum Points |
|---|---|
| Bricklayer | 65 |
| Stonemason | 65 |
| Carpenter and Joiner | 65 |
| Carpenter | 65 |
| Joiner | 65 |
| Painter | 70 |
| Glazier | 65 |
| Plasterer (Wall and Ceiling) | 65 |
| Renderer (Solid Plaster) | 65 |
| Wall and Floor Tiler | 65 |
| Plumber (General) | 65 |
| Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber | 65 |
| Drainer | 65 |
| Gasfitter | 70 |
| Roof Plumber | 65 |
Electrical & Other Trades
| Occupation | Minimum Points |
|---|---|
| Electrician (General) | 65 |
| Electrician (Special Class) | 65 |
| Lift Mechanic | 80 |
| Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic | 65 |
| Technical Cable Jointer | 70 |
| Electronic Equipment Trades Worker | 65 |
| Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (General) | 65 |
| Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (Special Class) | 65 |
| Chef | — |
| Horse Trainer | 65 |
| Cabinetmaker | 65 |
| Boat Builder and Repairer | 65 |
| Shipwright | 65 |
| Tennis Coach | 65 |
| Footballer | 70 |
What Does This Mean for International Students and Graduates?
Subclass 189 invitation round offers valuable insights for students and graduates planning their future in Australia. Understanding these results can help you make informed decisions about your education, career and migration options.
Explore Career Opportunities
Discover which occupations received invitations and how your qualifications may align with Australia's skilled migration pathways.
Understand Your Points
Review invitation scores for different occupations. Meeting the minimum 65-point eligibility threshold does not guarantee an invitation.
Plan Your Next Steps
Consider your skills assessment, English language results and work experience when exploring potential skilled migration pathways.
Planning Ahead Matters
SkillSelect invitation results can help you understand migration trends, but they do not guarantee future invitations or visa approval. Research your options carefully and seek professional advice where appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about the October 2026 SkillSelect invitation round and skilled migration opportunities in Australia.
What is the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)?
The subclass 189 visa is a points-tested permanent residency visa for eligible skilled workers. It allows successful applicants to live and work in Australia without employer or state nomination.
Does meeting 65 points guarantee an invitation?
No. The minimum points threshold is 65, but actual invitation scores can be higher. Invitations depend on factors such as your occupation, points score, eligibility and the invitation round.
Which occupations received invitations in October 2026?
The round included occupations across management, engineering, healthcare, education, information technology and skilled trades. Explore the occupation categories and minimum invitation scores in the table above.
Can international students apply for a subclass 189 visa?
International students and graduates may be eligible if they meet the visa requirements. These include an eligible skilled occupation, a suitable skills assessment, English language requirements and sufficient points. Studying in Australia does not automatically qualify someone for permanent residency.
What happens after receiving a SkillSelect invitation?
Invited applicants generally have 60 days to lodge their visa application. They must provide supporting evidence and meet the relevant visa requirements. Receiving an invitation does not guarantee visa approval.
When will the next SkillSelect invitation round take place?
Future invitation rounds depend on Australian Government planning and migration priorities. Applicants should monitor official Department of Home Affairs updates for the latest information.
