SkillSelect and State Invitation Rounds

SkillSelect and State Invitation Rounds

Invitation Rounds for Skilled Visas

Invitation rounds apply to the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored. These invitations are typically released quarterly, and each round varies based on the number of applications received and processed by the Department of Home Affairs.

Latest Invitation Round

Details for the 25 May 2023 SkillSelect invitation round have been released on the Department’s website.

  • Invitations Issued:
    • Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189): 7,353
    • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored: 74
  • Cut-off Points:
    • Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189): Minimum Score 65
    • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored: Minimum Score 65

On this page, you will find information about SkillSelect Invitation Rounds:

  1. Targeted Approach Since May 2020:
    Since May 2020, the SkillSelect Invitation Rounds have shifted to a targeted approach, prioritizing occupations that Australia needs in light of the impacts of COVID-19. See our page on Bespoke Invitation Rounds for 189 and 491 Visa (Family Sponsored Visa) for more information.
  2. Most Recent Invitations Released on 21 January 2022:
    For details, see our page on the Latest Subclass 189 and 491 Invitation Round Analysis.
  3. Reopening of Skilled Visa Programs:
    Following the two-year closure due to COVID-19, Australia’s borders are reopening, and State and Territory Skilled Visa Programs are resuming. For more information, visit our page on Which Australian States/Territories are Open for Offshore Skilled Migration Program?
  4. Highly Competitive Skilled Migration Program:
    The Skilled Migration Program is highly competitive. For more details on the most common occupations selected in the 2021 Skilled Migration Program, see our page on Top Occupations for Australia Immigration 2021 – Skilled Migration.

SkillSelect Invitation Rounds by State/Territory:

For information about SkillSelect Invitation Rounds in each Australian State/Territory for the 190 and 491 visas (state-sponsored), refer to the relevant pages below:

  • ACT – Invitation Rounds
  • NSW – Invitation Rounds
  • NT – Invitation Rounds
  • QLD – Invitation Rounds
  • SA – Invitation Rounds
  • TAS – Invitation Rounds
  • VIC – Invitation Rounds
  • WA – Invitation Rounds

Occupation Ceilings

Occupation ceilings may apply to invitations issued for certain occupations under the subclass 189 and subclass 491 – Family Sponsored visa programs. These ceilings limit the number of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) that can be invited. Note that occupation ceilings do not apply to State or Territory Nominated visa subclasses.

Current Round

  • Invitations Issued on 21 January 2022:
    • Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189): 200
    • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored: 200

Invitations Issued During the 2021-22 Program Year

Visa Subclass Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) 250 200 200
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored 500 200 200

If You Are Invited or Selected

If you receive an invitation to apply for a visa through SkillSelect, you will have 60 days from the date of the invitation to submit a valid visa application online. Applications submitted after this timeframe will be invalid, and a new invitation will be required to reapply.

Occupations in the 21 January 2022 Invitation Round

Occupation Subclass 189 Lowest Points Score Invited (189) Subclass 491 (Family Sponsored) Lowest Points Score Invited (491)
Agricultural Consultant N/A N/A 491 80
Agricultural Scientist N/A N/A 491 80
Biotechnologist N/A N/A 491 80
Chemical Engineer N/A N/A 491 80
Emergency Medicine Specialist 189 90 N/A N/A
Environmental Consultant N/A N/A 491 80
Environmental Scientists nec N/A N/A 491 85
Food Technologist N/A N/A 491 80
General Practitioner 189 90 N/A N/A
Geophysicist N/A N/A 491 80
Life Scientist (General) N/A N/A 491 105
Life Scientists nec N/A N/A 491 95
Medical Diagnostic Radiographer 189 90 N/A N/A
Medical Laboratory Scientist 189, 491 90, 80 491 80
Medical Practitioners nec 189 90 N/A N/A
Medical Radiation Therapist N/A N/A 491 95
Microbiologist 189, 491 90, 85 491 85
Midwife N/A N/A 491 85
Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum) 189 90 N/A N/A
Neurosurgeon 189 95 N/A N/A
Nuclear Medicine Technologist 189 95 N/A N/A
Nurse Practitioner 189 95 N/A N/A
Orthotist or Prosthetist N/A N/A 491 80
Paediatrician 189 90 N/A N/A
Petroleum Engineer 189 90 N/A N/A
Physiotherapist N/A N/A 491 80
Psychologists nec N/A N/A 491 80
Registered Nurse (Aged Care) 189, 491 90, 80 491 80
Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) N/A N/A 491 80
Registered Nurse (Community Health) 189 90 N/A N/A
Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) 189, 491 90, 80 491 80
Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability) 189 90 N/A N/A
Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) 189, 491 90, 90 491 90
Registered Nurse (Medical) 189, 491 90, 80 491 80
Registered Nurse (Mental Health) 189, 491 90, 80 491 80
Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) 189, 491 90, 80 491 80
Registered Nurse (Perioperative) 189, 491 90, 80 491 80
Registered Nurse (Surgical) 189, 491 90, 80 491 80
Registered Nurses nec N/A N/A 491 80
Social Worker N/A N/A 491 80
Veterinarian 189 90 N/A