For skilled migrants planning PR in 2026 and beyond, this invitation round is an important reference for understanding invitation points, industry shortages, and future migration opportunities.
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🟦 What is the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa?
The 189 visa allows skilled applicants to obtain Australia PR directly without employer sponsorship or state nomination. Because it leads to permanent residency immediately, competition is extremely high.
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🟦 Invitation Points in This Round
• Minimum points invited: 65
• Highest points invited: 100
While many applicants focus on points only, occupation demand is actually the key determining factor behind every invitation round.
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🟦 Occupations with Strongest Invitations
The largest numbers of invitations went to:
• Nursing & Midwifery
• Teaching (Secondary, Special Education)
• Social Work
• Carpentry
• Plumbing
• Electrician
• Construction Professionals
• Selected Engineering fields
These occupations are experiencing sustained and structural worker shortages in Australia.
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🟦 Why Construction Trades Were Invited at 65 Points?
Australia continues to face a major labour shortage in housing construction and infrastructure. Skilled trades such as carpenters and electricians received high invitation numbers, with estimates suggesting 600+ for carpentry alone.
✔ lower points
✔ high invitation volume
✔ fast PR pathway
This reflects real labour demand, not just points benchmarking.
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🟦 Why Healthcare and Nursing Are Always in Demand?
Due to population ageing, hospital workforce expansion, and public health demand, medical and nursing occupations remain essential. Nursing invitations stayed around 75 points, with estimated invitations exceeding 2,000 applicants.
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🟦 Engineering – Mixed Results
Some fields remained highly competitive (85–90 points):
• Architecture
• Electrical Engineering
• Construction Engineering
However, technical engineering roles (Draftsperson, Engineering Technician) became slightly easier with lower point thresholds. Strategy matters more than title.
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🟦 Highly Popular Occupations NOT Invited
Several competitive occupations still received no invitation:
• Accounting
• Auditing
• Most core IT roles
• Data & statistics related (some exceptions)
The only noticeable improvement was Multimedia Specialist invited around 85, showing creative-tech skills may become more valuable than traditional IT.
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🟦 Overall Migration Trend: From “High Points” to “Skill Shortage”
The biggest trend this year:
👉 Shortage occupations are being invited at LOWER points
👉 Non-shortage occupations require significantly HIGHER points
Meaning: occupation demand is now more decisive than points alone.
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🟦 EOI Spots Almost Exhausted
Total 189 program allocation: 16,900
Current invitations already closely approach this number. Considering secondary applicants consume visa quota (not EOI invitation numbers), this suggests 189 places are tightening.
Future invitation rounds may be much smaller.
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🟦 What Should Applicants Do Now?
If you:
• don’t have high points
• your occupation is not on shortage lists
• cannot increase points quickly
👉 DO NOT keep waiting passively
Instead:
✔ Reassess occupation
✔ Consider shortage fields
✔ Move to regional area for extra points
✔ Consider employer sponsorship
✔ Explore state nomination pathways
Waiting may cost you opportunities.
FAQ Section
Q1: Which occupations are currently easiest for Australian PR?
Healthcare, nursing, education, social work, and construction trades.
Q2: Is 65 points enough for PR in Australia?
Yes, for certain shortage occupations, 65 points were invited this round.
Q3: Can accountants still get PR?
Possible, but extremely competitive. Consider alternative pathways.
Q4: How many points do engineers need?
Most require around 85, but technical engineering roles may be lower.
Q5: How often are EOI invitations issued?
Rounds are irregular. Based on skilled labour needs.
If you need professional assessment (occupation change, skills assessment, regional strategy, or visa pathway comparison), contact us for a personalised migration plan based on your background and PR goal.