Key Takeaways:
- Visa invitations vary by occupation and points score; high-demand fields get priority, but IT and engineering remain competitive.
- EOIs submitted earlier are often given preference in tie-break situations.
- Improving points through English proficiency, work experience, regional study, or higher-level qualifications increases your chances.
- Staying updated on SkillSelect rounds and government policy changes helps you plan and act strategically.
- Timely and complete EOI submissions reduce delays and improve chances of receiving an invitation.
Looking to secure a Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)? In November 2025, Australia issued 10,000 invitations for high-demand occupations. Trade roles such as carpenters, bricklayers, electricians, plumbers and solid plasterers continued to receive the lowest cut-offs at 65 points. Professional and specialist occupations recorded higher thresholds, with most invitations issued from 85 points, including actuaries, agricultural specialists, architects, biotechnologists, environmental scientists, engineers and management consultants. Competition intensified further in niche technical and medical categories, where electronic instrument trades workers, metal machinists and dermatologists received invitations from 95–100 points. Health and education occupations showed adjusted trends, with nurses, midwives, physiotherapists and psychologists invited from 75 points, while early childhood teachers were invited from 85 points and secondary and specialist education teachers received invitations from 75 points under the 189 stream.
Receiving an invitation in the context of Australia’s SkillSelect system allows you to lodge your visa application and pursue permanent residency. Keep your Expression of Interest (EOI) updated, track points thresholds, and monitor upcoming rounds to improve your chances.
This guide gives you everything you need to know about the November 2025 189 invitation round and helps you plan your next steps strategically.
Please Note: This article is intended as a general guide, with information accurate at the time of publication. For detailed, current advice specific to your situation, consult a registered migration agent or The Department of Home Affair.
Key Highlights of the November 2025 Subclass 189 Invitation Round
The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) remains a highly sought-after pathway for skilled migrants aiming to settle in Australia. This visa allows applicants to live and work anywhere in the country without the need for employer sponsorship or state nomination.
As invitations are issued based on merit, staying informed about the latest rounds is crucial.
Here’s an overview of the recent 2025 developments:
1. Invitation Timing and Updates
In 2025, the government continues to hold regular 189 invitation rounds. Recent rounds reflect adjustments in points thresholds and priority occupations to better address Australia’s labor market needs.
2. Total Invitations Issued
10,000 invitations were extended in this round, indicating a significant intake compared to previous rounds. This suggests a continued focus on attracting skilled migrants to address labor shortages. Take a look at the key highlights.
| Visa Subclass | Total EOIs Invited | Tie-Break Date (Month/Year) |
| Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) | 10,000 | 11/2025 |
| Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored | 300 | 10/2025 |
For employers considering sponsorship, the Eligibility Checker to Sponsor Employees tool can be useful.
It helps assess whether an employer meets financial and other requirements, such as annual turnover, before lodging a nomination, making the sponsorship process more straightforward.
3. Expression of Interest (EOI) Cut-Offs
Many occupations had cut-off dates for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) submitted after mid-2023, meaning older EOIs were given priority.
4. Occupation List Trends
The November 2025 subclass 189 invitation round showed clear shifts in Australia’s skilled migration priorities. Lower cut-offs were consistently applied to trade occupations, reflecting continued demand across construction and hands-on technical areas. Health and education roles also remained active, with steady invitation volumes and mid-range points thresholds. Professional and scientific fields recorded higher entry points, signalling increased competition among applicants in these categories. The highest thresholds were observed across specialised technical and medical roles, where invitation scores reached the upper end of the 189 range. Overall, the data highlights strong activity across essential services, skilled trades and advanced technical professions in this round.
5. Minimum Points Requirement by Occupation:
- Trades / Construction roles (carpenters, bricklayers, electricians): 65–75 points.
- Health / Education occupations (registered nurses, doctors, teachers): 75–85 points.
- Specialised professions (e.g., materials engineers): 85–100 points.
6. Visa Categories:
- Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa): Invitations were issued to a wide range of skilled professionals.
- Subclass 190 (State Nominated Visa) & Subclass 491 (Regional Sponsored Visa): with states and territories beginning to issue invitations following their interim allocations. After an initial phase of limited nominations, most states have now transitioned into regular invitation rounds, reopening state-nominated pathways for skilled applicants.
7. Changes Compared to Previous Years
Compared to the November 2024 round, where 15,000 invitations were issued, the November 2025 round saw a decrease in the number of invitations. However, the focus on high-demand occupations remains consistent.
Recent Changes Observed At a Glance:
- Subclass 189 invitation rounds resumed after a pause, marking a significant development.
- Points thresholds rose sharply in healthcare, education, and specialised fields.
- Construction and trades occupations continued to benefit from lower cut-offs due to labour shortages.
These updates highlight the need to optimise your EOI and points for priority occupations. Staying updated with the 2025 changes will help you position yourself better for upcoming invitation rounds.
Points Requirements and Cut-Offs in the 2025 189 Invitation Round
The SkillSelect system ranks candidates based on points, and higher scores significantly improve your chances of receiving an invitation. Based on the November 2025 subclass 189 invitation round, here’s the updated breakdown of trends:
General Minimum Points:
Most applicants invited under the 189 stream had points starting from 75, which has become the new baseline for many health, education, and general professional occupations.
High-Demand Occupations:
Competitive professional and scientific fields recorded cut-offs from 85 points, with the highest thresholds reaching 95–100 points for specialised technical and medical occupations, indicating strong competition among applicants in advanced skill areas.
Lower Threshold Occupations:
Trade and construction occupations continued to receive some of the lowest invitation thresholds, with most roles invited at 65 points under the 189 stream, reflecting ongoing workforce shortages across these sectors.
Tie-Breaker Rule:
When candidates held identical points, the SkillSelect system prioritised those with earlier EOI lodgement dates. This reinforces the importance of submitting a complete and timely Expression of Interest to maximise your chances in future rounds.
If your current points fall below these invitation levels, you may strengthen your position through improved English test results, additional skilled work experience, completing higher-level qualifications, or gaining points through Australian study. In the next section, we’ll look at how different occupation groups performed in the 2025 rounds.
Also Read: Partner Visa Process and Requirements – Australian Immigration Lawyers
How Different Occupations Fared in the 189 Round?
Different occupations had varying cut-off scores, reflecting the demand in Australia’s labour market. The August 2025 round highlighted three key patterns:
- IT & Engineering Professions: Cut-offs across most IT, engineering, analytical and technical professional roles continued to sit at 85–95 points, with several high-competition categories reaching 95–100 points in the November round. This reflects ongoing competitiveness and strong demand for advanced technical expertise across both periods.
- Healthcare & Teaching: Health and education occupations showed mid-range thresholds, with many roles invited from 75–85 points. Nurses, midwives, allied health practitioners and teaching professionals maintained consistent activity between the August–September and November rounds, highlighting persistent national shortages across these sectors.
- Trade Occupations: Trades remained the most accessible stream under the 189 visa, with most trade and construction roles invited at 65 points in both sets of data. This continued low threshold underscores ongoing demand for skilled tradespeople and strong accessibility for applicants in these occupations.
Here’s the detailed breakdown:
| Occupation | 189 Minimum Points | 491 Minimum Points |
| Actuary | 85 | N/A |
| Architect | 85 | N/A |
| Audiologist | 75 | 80 |
| Barrister | 90 | N/A |
| Bricklayer | 65 | 70 |
| Cardiologist | 80 | 80 |
| Carpenter | 65 | 65 |
| Clinical Psychologist | 80 | N/A |
| Construction Project Manager | 85 | N/A |
| Dermatologist | 100 | N/A |
| Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher | 85 | 90 |
| Electrician (General) | 65 | 65 |
| Electronics Engineer | 95 | N/A |
| Intensive Care Specialist | 80 | N/A |
| Management Consultant | 85 | N/A |
| Medical Diagnostic Radiographer | 75 | 85 |
| Metal Fabricator | 85 | N/A |
| Midwife | 75 | 75 |
| Physiotherapist | 75 | 75 |
| Plumber (General) | 65 | 70 |
| Registered Nurse (Aged Care) | 75 | 80 |
| Registered Nurse (Critical Care & Emergency) | 75 | 75 |
| Registered Nurse (Medical) | 75 | 75 |
| Registered Nurse (Mental Health) | 80 | 90 |
| Secondary School Teacher | 75 | 85 |
| Sonographer | 75 | N/A |
| Speech Pathologist | 75 | 85 |
| University Lecturer | 85 | 80 |
| Wall and Floor Tiler | 65 | 75 |
| Welder (First Class) | 85 | N/A |
(Note: This table highlights key high-demand occupations. Other occupations generally followed similar points thresholds.)
Next, take a look at the table below that shows how the invitations are tracking across the financial year 2025-26 so far.
| Month | Subclass 189 | Subclass 491 (Family Sponsored) |
| July 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| August 2025 | 6,887 | 150 |
| September 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| October 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| November 2025 | 10,000 | 300 |
| December 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| (Jan–Jun 2026) | 0 | 0 |
If you are in a high-demand occupation, your chances of receiving an invitation remain strong, especially in healthcare, teaching, and trade fields. However, IT and engineering roles continue to be highly competitive, requiring higher scores and earlier EOIs.
How to Improve Your Chances
To increase your chances of getting a 189 visa invitation, you can focus on improving your English skills, gaining more work experience, or studying in regional areas. Earning higher-level qualifications or working in high-demand occupations can also raise your points and make your EOI stronger in upcoming rounds.
Also Read: Age Limit Requirements for Student Visa in Australia 2025
Key Insights for 189 Visa Applicants in 2025
What does the 189 invitation round mean for you in 2025? Whether you are waiting for an invitation or preparing your EOI, understanding the latest trends can help you plan effectively.
- Applicants With High Scores: If you have 80+ points, make sure your EOI is up to date. Invitations can be issued quickly, especially in high-demand occupations.
- Applicants Below the Cut-off: Boost your chances by improving your English test scores, gaining extra work experience, or studying in regional areas.
- Applicants in Low-Demand Occupations: Exploring state-nominated visas (subclass 190/491) or employer-sponsored pathways can open alternative routes.
- Stay Informed: Invitation trends and policy updates change frequently. Regularly monitoring SkillSelect rounds is key to staying ahead.
Understanding these implications helps you strategise, but what does the future hold for 189 invitation rounds in 2025? Let’s look at what to expect next.
What to Expect in Future 189 Invitation Rounds?
The Australian government adjusts migration policies based on workforce needs, and the 2025 invitation rounds reflect these changes:
- Healthcare & Teaching: Ongoing shortages may keep points requirements lower, making these occupations more accessible.
- IT & Engineering: High competition means cut-offs are likely to remain at 85+ points.
- More Frequent Rounds: Additional invitation rounds may be introduced to meet demand in key sectors.
By staying updated on points trends, occupation demand, and policy changes, you can plan a stronger strategy and increase your chances of receiving a 189 visa invitation in 2025-26.
Final Thoughts
The November 2025 189 invitation round highlights Australia’s demand for skilled migrants in sectors like healthcare, teaching, and trades. With 10,000 invitations issued and minimum points ranging from 65 to 100, staying proactive is essential. Keep your 189 EOI updated, improve your points, and explore alternative pathways if needed.
At Knowbal Migration and Education, we guide you on strengthening your EOI and improving your chances of receiving an invitation. Enquire now to get expert support for your Skilled Independent visa goals in 2025-26.
FAQs
1. What points are needed to get a 189 visa in 2025?
Based on the August–September and November 2025 rounds, most subclass 189 invitations were issued from 75–85 points, depending on the occupation. Competitive professional, engineering and specialist technical roles required 85–95 points, with some niche medical and technical occupations reaching 95–100 points. Trade occupations continued to receive the lowest thresholds at 65 points, reflecting ongoing demand across construction and hands-on technical fields.
2. How often are 189 invitation rounds conducted?
The Department of Home Affairs continues to run multiple 189 invitation rounds across the program year, with timing and volume varying based on workforce demand. In 2025, large-scale rounds occurred in August–September, followed by another round in November 2025, indicating ongoing activity and regularity.
3. Are state-nominated visas (subclass 190/491) being issued?
Yes. State and territory programs have now resumed issuing subclass 190 and 491 invitations. After initially operating under interim allocations, most states have now commenced their regular nomination rounds, running alongside the federal 189 invitations.
4. How can I improve my chances of receiving a 189 invitation?
You can strengthen your 189 competitiveness by increasing your points through improved English scores, gaining additional skilled work experience, completing higher qualifications, or securing Australian study where eligible. Ensuring your EOI is accurate, complete, and lodged early also improves your chances when tie-break rules apply.
5. Which occupations are receiving priority invitations?
Across the 2025 rounds, consistent activity was seen across trades, healthcare, education, and professional technical fields. Trade occupations were invited from 65 points, health and education roles from 75–85 points, and specialised professional roles from 85–100 points, indicating strong demand across essential services, skilled trades and advanced technical areas.
