Australia’s Skilled Independent Visa, 189 subclass, is one of the most in-demand immigration pathways to Australia for skilled migrants. This visa program allows qualified workers to live and work in Australia without being sponsored by an employer, family member, or a state/territory government.
As managed by the SkillSelect system, this subclass 189 visa operates on a points-based system with regular invitation rounds based on rankings. These rounds are considered a core element of Australia’s immigration plan, with an eye on picking up the most eligible and sought-after professionals.
In this article, we will explore the latest round of invitations under the 189 Subclass of Australia. And the key features of this round of invitations. But, before moving ahead, let us explain to you what Skill Select is.
What Is Skill Select?
Skill Select is an online system that the Australian Government introduced to ease or streamline the skilled migration process. This system allows applicants to lodge an expression of interest (EOI) skilled immigration program, and it also offers a platform for states and territories to nominate candidates.
The Skill Select system is used for various Australian subclasses, including:
- Highly Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189): For highly qualified individuals who are not supported by their state or territory government, family, or business.
- Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190): For those nominated by a state or territory government. There is the skilled nominated visa (subclass 190).
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491): For experienced professionals who wish to live and work in regional Australia. There is the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491).
How Does The Round Of Invitations Work?
The invitation rounds are usually held monthly. Although the schedule and frequency are subject to the government’s immigration targets and demand. The rounds are aimed at inviting people who have submitted an EOI and met all the eligibility requirements for their preferred visa subclass.
Selection Criteria Of Round Of Invitation
The merit-based selection procedure, in which candidates are chosen according to the following standards:
- Points Score: Candidates are ranked according to their points in the system. More points enhance the prospects of receiving an invitation.
- Occupation Ceilings: Every skilled occupation under the MLTSSL and the STSOL has a yearly limit. No more invites are sent out for that specific occupation once that cap is reached.
- Demand and Quotas: The Australian Government Gives Preference to Candidates in Occupations with High Demand to Meet Labour Market Needs.
Key features Of Invitation Rounds
The following information explains the key features of invitation rounds.
- Points Threshold:
Applicants will need to have at least a points threshold to be eligible. These thresholds vary by visa subclass and by invitation round. For the Skilled Independent Visa, the threshold is usually higher because of its competitiveness.
- EOI Lodgement Date:
When the applicants have equal points scores. The EOI lodgment date and time will be a tiebreaker as earlier lodgment will be preferred for an advantage.
- Invitations Issued:
The government does planning levels on the number of invitations set at different rounds depending on the economic priorities. Recently, there has been a focus on healthcare, IT, engineering, and teaching professions in various rounds due to their high demand levels in Australia.
Recent Round Of Invitations
The key visa subclasses for which outcomes were observed within the 7 November 2024 SkillSelect invitation round are summarized below:
- Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) – The total number of EOIs invited to apply is 15,000. The tiebreaker date is January 2023. It, therefore, means that applicants whose EOIs were submitted prior to this date and had a minimum points threshold that qualifies them for invitations.
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored: Since there were no invitations sent out for this round, there is no tie-break date.
This data indicates that access to the skilled work regional provisional visa is conceived for high-demand occupations. Hence, applicants should lodge their EOIs early for better invitation chances.
Table Representation Of Recent Round Of Invitations
The following information depicts the recent round of invitations:
| Occupation | Minimum Score Invited | Occupation | Minimum Score Invited |
| Accountant (General) | 95 | Metal Fabricator | 75 |
| Actuary | 85 | Metal Machinist (First Class) | 90 |
| Aeronautical Engineer | 85 | Metallurgist | 90 |
| Agricultural Consultant | 85 | Meteorologist | 90 |
| Agricultural Engineer | 90 | Microbiologist | 90 |
| Agricultural Scientist | 90 | Midwife | 70 |
| Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber | 70 | Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum) | 90 |
| Analyst Programmer | 85 | Motor Mechanic (General) | 85 |
| Architect | 70 | Multimedia Specialist | 85 |
| Arts Administrator or Manager | 90 | Music Director | 90 |
| Audiologist | 75 | Musician (Instrumental) | 90 |
| Biochemist | 90 | Natural and Physical Science Professionals nec | 90 |
| Biomedical Engineer | 85 | Naval Architect | 90 |
| Biotechnologist | 85 | Neurologist | 75 |
| Boat Builder and Repairer | 90 | Nuclear Medicine Technologist | 75 |
| Bricklayer | 65 | Nurse Practitioner | 80 |
| Cabinetmaker | 65 | Nursing Clinical Director | 115 |
| Cardiothoracic Surgeon | 85 | Obstetrician and Gynaecologist | 90 |
| Carpenter | 65 | Occupational Therapist | 75 |
| Carpenter and Joiner | 65 | Optometrist | 75 |
| Chef | 85 | Orthopaedic Surgeon | 75 |
| Chemical Engineer | 85 | Orthotist or Prosthetist | 75 |
| Chemist | 90 | Osteopath | 75 |
| Child Care Centre Manager | 75 | Other Spatial Scientist | 90 |
| Chiropractor | 75 | Painting Trades Worker | 65 |
| Civil Engineer | 85 | Pathologist | 75 |
| Civil Engineering Draftsperson | 70 | Petroleum Engineer | 85 |
| Civil Engineering Technician | 70 | Physicist | 90 |
| Clinical Psychologist | 75 | Physiotherapist | 75 |
| Computer Network and Systems Engineer | 95 | Plumber (General) | 65 |
| Construction Project Manager | 70 | Podiatrist | 75 |
| Dancer or Choreographer | 90 | Primary Health Organisation Manager | 95 |
| Dermatologist | 75 | Production or Plant Engineer | 85 |
| Developer Programmer | 95 | Psychiatrist | 75 |
| Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist | 80 | Psychologists nec | 75 |
| Diesel Motor Mechanic | 95 | Quantity Surveyor | 70 |
| Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher | 70 | Registered Nurse (Aged Care) | 70 |
| Economist | 90 | Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) | 75 |
| Educational Psychologist | 75 | Registered Nurse (Community Health) | 75 |
| Electrical Engineer | 85 | Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) | 70 |
| Electrical Engineering Draftsperson | 90 | Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability) | 75 |
| Electrical Engineering Technician | 90 | Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation) | 75 |
| Electrician (General) | 65 | Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) | 75 |
| Electronic Instrument Trades Worker | 90 | Registered Nurse (Medical) | 70 |
| Electronics Engineer | 95 | Registered Nurse (Mental Health) | 75 |
| Emergency Medicine Specialist | 75 | Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) | 70 |
| Engineering Manager | 90 | Registered Nurse (Perioperative) | 75 |
| Engineering Professionals nec | 85 | Registered Nurse (Surgical) | 75 |
| Engineering Technologist | 85 | Registered Nurses nec | 70 |
| Environmental Consultant | 90 | Secondary School Teacher | 70 |
| Environmental Engineer | 85 | Sheetmetal Trades Worker | 70 |
| Environmental Manager | 90 | Social Worker | 70 |
| Environmental Research Scientist | 90 | Software and Applications Programmers nec | 85 |
| Environmental Scientists nec | 90 | Software Engineer | 95 |
| External Auditor | 85 | Solicitor | 85 |
| Fibrous Plasterer | 65 | Solid Plasterer | 70 |
| Food Technologist | 90 | Sonographer | 75 |
Conclusion
The Skilled Independent Visa subclass 189 is the most common immigration route for skilled migrants into Australia, and it involves working there without securing sponsorship. The SkillSelect system oversees this visa on a points-based system, where selection happens through monthly invitation rounds.
The latest round witnessed 15,000 EOIs applying, and the application cut-off date was January 2023. Since the Visa 189 is one of the high-demand occupation types, lodging early is the best option.
For more details about the Australia Skilled Independent Visa program, contact Province Immigration via +91 98961 96762 or [email protected]
