Next Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) Invitation Round: 4 June 2026
The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that the next invitation round for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) will be held on 4 June 2026.
If you’ve submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect and are hoping to receive an invitation to apply for this visa, now is the time to ensure everything is in order.
What You Need to Do Before the Round
To maximise your chances of receiving an invitation, the Department of Home Affairs emphasises two critical steps:
- Ensure your EOI is up to date – Review your SkillSelect profile to confirm all information is current, including:
- Your skills assessment details
- English language test results
- Work experience
- Educational qualifications
- Partner skills (if applicable)
- Verify all information is accurate – Any incorrect or outdated information could delay your invitation or lead to complications during the visa application process.
About the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
The Subclass 189 visa is a permanent residence visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, state, or family member. It allows you to:
- Live and work permanently anywhere in Australia
- Study in Australia
- Access Medicare (Australia’s public healthcare system)
- Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
- Apply for Australian citizenship (if eligible)
To be eligible, you must:
- Be invited to apply through SkillSelect
- Have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
- Have a suitable skills assessment for your occupation
- Be under 45 years of age
- Meet the points test requirement (currently 65 points minimum)
- Meet health and character requirements
- Have competent English
How the Invitation Process Works
The Department of Home Affairs uses a points-based system to rank all EOIs in SkillSelect. During each invitation round, they invite the highest-ranking candidates to apply for the visa.
Your points are based on factors including:
- Age
- English language ability
- Skilled employment (in Australia and/or overseas)
- Educational qualifications
- Australian study requirement
- Specialist education qualification
- Accreditation in a community language
- Professional year in Australia
- Partner skills
What Happens If You’re Invited?
If you receive an invitation on 4 June 2026, you’ll have 60 days to lodge a complete visa application with all required documentation. Missing this deadline means your invitation will lapse and you’ll need to submit a new EOI.
Need Expert Assistance?
Navigating the Skilled Independent visa process can be complex. At Migration Expert, our registered migration agents have extensive experience helping skilled workers successfully migrate to Australia.
We can help you:
- Maximise your points score
- Ensure your EOI is optimised
- Prepare all required documentation
- Lodge your visa application correctly
- Navigate any complications or requests from the Department
Don’t leave your future to chance. Contact Migration Expert today for a consultation with one of our registered migration agents.
This information is current as of 2 June 2026. Migration regulations and policies can change. For personalised advice tailored to your circumstances, please consult with a registered migration agent.
Source: Department of Home Affairs – SkillSelect Invitation Rounds
