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:
- 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. - Most Recent Invitations Released on 21 January 2022:
For details, see our page on the Latest Subclass 189 and 491 Invitation Round Analysis. - 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? - 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 |