On 15 October 2026, the Department of Home Affairs invited 20,000 people to apply for the subclass189 visa. This was the 189 invitation round of October 2026, and it covered 159 different occupations. It was the only subclass 189 invitation round held so far, this financial year.
In this post, Work Visa Lawyers breaks down every occupation that was invited, grouped by points score. The firm also explains what it thinks is happening with the 189 visa, and what it could mean for your plans.
189 Visa Invitation Round October 2026: 20,000 Invitations Compared With 21,090 Places in 2026–27 Planning Level
Here are the facts. The Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa has 21,090 places this financial year, under the 2026–27 migration program planning levels. In this one round, the government invited 20,000 people. The Federal Government has utilised 94 percent of subclass 189 allocation.
Not every invitation becomes a visa grant. Some people will not lodge, and some applications will not succeed. Even so, the Department used most of the year’s capacity at once.
189 Visa Occupations Invited in October 2026, by Minimum Points Score
Home Affairs listed 159 occupations, which is a very wide net. Minimum scores ran from 65 to 100 points. The table below summarises the round. The key results follow, and then the full list of occupations for each points score.
| Minimum points | Occupations invited | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 65 | 44 | Carpenter, Electrician (General), Plumber (General), Solicitor, Valuer, Tennis Coach, Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber |
| 70 | 36 | Registered Nurses (13 types), General Practitioner, Midwife, Physiotherapist, Painting Trades Worker |
| 75 | 9 | Cardiologist, Sonographer, Neurologist, Nursing Clinical Director |
| 80 | 36 | Social Worker, Secondary School Teacher, Mining Engineer, Agricultural Consultant, Welder (First Class) |
| 85 | 19 | Architect, Actuary, Chemical Engineer, Telecommunications Engineer, Child Care Centre Manager |
| 90 | 10 | Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher, University Lecturer, Clinical Psychologist, Surgeon (General) |
| 95 | 3 | Electronics Engineer, Marine Biologist, Zoologist |
| 100 | 2 | ICT Security Specialist, Urologist |
October 2026 189 Invitation Round Results: Key Findings
Trades and Construction Occupations Invited at 65 Points
The 65-point group is the biggest, with 44 occupations. Carpenters, bricklayers, plumbers, electricians, glaziers, plasterers, stonemasons and tilers are all included.
Nurses, Doctors and Health Occupations Invited at 70 to 75 Points
Registered Nurses featured heavily in this round. All 13 Registered Nurse occupations were invited at 70 points. So were General Practitioners, Midwives, Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists. Several specialists, including Cardiologists and Neurologists, were invited at 75 points.
Teachers, Social Workers and Engineers Invited at 80 to 90 Points
Secondary School Teachers, Special Needs Teachers and Social Workers were invited at 80 points.. Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers and University Lecturers were invited at 90 points.
Unusual Occupations Invited: Solicitor, Tennis Coach, Dancer and Musician
Some of the invited occupations are far from the usual priority lists. Dancer or Choreographer, Musician (Instrumental), Tennis Coach, Horse Trainer and Arts Administrator or Manager were all invited at 65 points. Footballer and Music Director were invited at 70 points.
Highest Points Invited: 95 and 100 Points
At the other end of the scale, ICT Security Specialist and Urologist were invited at 100 points. Electronics Engineer, Marine Biologist and Zoologist were invited at 95 points. ICT Security Specialist is the only IT occupation that has received invitations this financial year.
Full List: 189 Visa Occupations Invited by Points Score
| Points | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 65 Points | Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber |
| 65 Points | Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic |
| 65 Points | Arts Administrator or Manager |
| 65 Points | Automotive Electrician |
| 65 Points | Boat Builder and Repairer |
| 65 Points | Bricklayer |
| 65 Points | Cabinetmaker |
| 65 Points | Carpenter |
| 65 Points | Carpenter and Joiner |
| 65 Points | Dancer or Choreographer |
| 65 Points | Drainer |
| 65 Points | Economist |
| 65 Points | Educational Psychologist |
| 65 Points | Electrical Engineering Draftsperson |
| 65 Points | Electrical Engineering Technician |
| 65 Points | Electrician (General) |
| 65 Points | Electrician (Special Class) |
| 65 Points | Electronic Equipment Trades Worker |
| 65 Points | Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (General) |
| 65 Points | Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (Special Class) |
| 65 Points | Environmental Consultant |
| 65 Points | Environmental Manager |
| 65 Points | Environmental Research Scientist |
| 65 Points | Environmental Scientists nec |
| 65 Points | Fibrous Plasterer |
| 65 Points | Glazier |
| 65 Points | Horse Trainer |
| 65 Points | Joiner |
| 65 Points | Land Economist |
| 65 Points | Locksmith |
| 65 Points | Musician (Instrumental) |
| 65 Points | Panelbeater |
| 65 Points | Plumber (General) |
| 65 Points | Primary Health Organisation Manager |
| 65 Points | Roof Plumber |
| 65 Points | Sheetmetal Trades Worker |
| 65 Points | Shipwright |
| 65 Points | Solicitor |
| 65 Points | Solid Plasterer |
| 65 Points | Stonemason |
| 65 Points | Tennis Coach |
| 65 Points | Valuer |
| 65 Points | Wall and Floor Tiler |
| 65 Points | Welfare Centre Manager |
| 70 Points | Audiologist |
| 70 Points | Barrister |
| 70 Points | Emergency Medicine Specialist |
| 70 Points | Footballer |
| 70 Points | Gasfitter |
| 70 Points | General Practitioner |
| 70 Points | Medical Diagnostic Radiographer |
| 70 Points | Medical Oncologist |
| 70 Points | Medical Practitioners nec |
| 70 Points | Midwife |
| 70 Points | Music Director |
| 70 Points | Nuclear Medicine Technologist |
| 70 Points | Nurse Practitioner |
| 70 Points | Obstetrician and Gynaecologist |
| 70 Points | Occupational Therapist |
| 70 Points | Paediatrician |
| 70 Points | Painting Trades Worker |
| 70 Points | Pathologist |
| 70 Points | Physiotherapist |
| 70 Points | Podiatrist |
| 70 Points | Psychiatrist |
| 70 Points | Registered Nurse (Aged Care) |
| 70 Points | Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) |
| 70 Points | Registered Nurse (Community Health) |
| 70 Points | Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) |
| 70 Points | Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability) |
| 70 Points | Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation) |
| 70 Points | Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) |
| 70 Points | Registered Nurse (Medical) |
| 70 Points | Registered Nurse (Mental Health) |
| 70 Points | Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) |
| 70 Points | Registered Nurse (Perioperative) |
| 70 Points | Registered Nurse (Surgical) |
| 70 Points | Registered Nurses nec |
| 70 Points | Speech Pathologist |
| 70 Points | Technical Cable Jointer |
| 75 Points | Cardiologist |
| 75 Points | Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist |
| 75 Points | Gastroenterologist |
| 75 Points | Intensive Care Specialist |
| 75 Points | Medical Radiation Therapist |
| 75 Points | Neurologist |
| 75 Points | Nursing Clinical Director |
| 75 Points | Sonographer |
| 75 Points | Specialist Physician (General Medicine) |
| 80 Points | Agricultural Consultant |
| 80 Points | Agricultural Scientist |
| 80 Points | Chemist |
| 80 Points | Chiropractor |
| 80 Points | Construction Project Manager |
| 80 Points | Endocrinologist |
| 80 Points | Engineering Manager |
| 80 Points | Fitter (General) |
| 80 Points | Fitter-Welder |
| 80 Points | Food Technologist |
| 80 Points | Forester |
| 80 Points | Geophysicist |
| 80 Points | Hydrogeologist |
| 80 Points | Lift mechanic |
| 80 Points | Management Consultant |
| 80 Points | Medical Laboratory Scientist |
| 80 Points | Metal Fabricator |
| 80 Points | Metal Machinist (First Class) |
| 80 Points | Metallurgist |
| 80 Points | Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum) |
| 80 Points | Ophthalmologist |
| 80 Points | Optometrist |
| 80 Points | Orthopaedic Surgeon |
| 80 Points | Orthotist or Prosthetist |
| 80 Points | Osteopath |
| 80 Points | Other Spatial Scientist |
| 80 Points | Petroleum Engineer |
| 80 Points | Physicist |
| 80 Points | Psychologists nec |
| 80 Points | Secondary School Teacher |
| 80 Points | Social Worker |
| 80 Points | Special Education Teachers nec |
| 80 Points | Special Needs Teacher |
| 80 Points | Surveyor |
| 80 Points | Veterinarian |
| 80 Points | Welder (First Class) |
| 85 Points | Actuary |
| 85 Points | Architect |
| 85 Points | Cartographer |
| 85 Points | Chemical Engineer |
| 85 Points | Child Care Centre Manager |
| 85 Points | Dermatologist |
| 85 Points | Landscape Architect |
| 85 Points | Materials Engineer |
| 85 Points | Meteorologist |
| 85 Points | Natural and Physical Science Professionals nec |
| 85 Points | Neurosurgeon |
| 85 Points | Radiocommunications Technician |
| 85 Points | Specialist Physicians nec |
| 85 Points | Statistician |
| 85 Points | Telecommunications Engineer |
| 85 Points | Telecommunications Field Engineer |
| 85 Points | Telecommunications Network Engineer |
| 85 Points | Telecommunications Network Planner |
| 85 Points | Telecommunications Technical Officer or Technologist |
| 90 Points | Biotechnologist |
| 90 Points | Clinical Psychologist |
| 90 Points | Conservator |
| 90 Points | Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher |
| 90 Points | Life Scientist (General) |
| 90 Points | Life Scientists nec |
| 90 Points | Microbiologist |
| 90 Points | Multimedia Specialist |
| 90 Points | Surgeon (General) |
| 90 Points | University Lecturer |
| 95 Points | Electronics Engineer |
| 95 Points | Marine Biologist |
| 95 Points | Zoologist |
| 100 Points | ICT Security Specialist |
| 100 Points | Urologist |
Is the 189 Visa Closing? What the October 2026 Round Signals
Work Visa Lawyers believes this round could signal the end of the 189 visa as it currently exists. This is the firm’s reading of the situation, not an official announcement. The firm points to four signals.
The numbers. The government invited around 20,000 people in a single round. The 2026–27 planning level for the Skilled Independent (189) category is 21,090 places. Almost the whole year’s allocation went out in one round.
A pipeline clear-out. Many of the invited occupations are not close to being priority occupations. When the invitation points do not follow the usual logic, the government is not using the 189 as a normal points ranking tool. It looks like the Department used this round to clear the pipeline and reach the program number.
A new points test. A new points test is planned for March 2027. The firm’s view is that this will not be a small tweak. It thinks the government may replace the whole program. That could mean closing the current 189, 190 and 491 visas, and opening new visas built around the government’s priorities.
Late and smaller state allocations. The government has not yet published the allocations for the states. They are being opened one by one, and the numbers are surprising. Victoria has announced 900 places for the Subclass 190 visa. Last year, it was 2,700. Victoria is one of the biggest states in Australia, with a large population and many skilled workers. A drop like that is hard to ignore, and it matches the cut to regional places in the planning levels.
Taken together, there is one invitation round using almost the whole year’s places, a new points test coming, and state allocations that are late and much smaller. The firm cannot predict exactly what is coming, but it would not build a whole migration plan around the 189.
What to Do If You Are Waiting for a 189 Invitation
If you have not received an invitation yet, or you are still waiting for one, do not make the Subclass 189 your only plan. Start looking at other pathways now.
189 Visa Alternatives: 482, 186, DAMA and Partner Visa Pathways
Option one is the 482 visa. The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) is an employer-sponsored visa. This pathway has lower English requirements, and you may be exempt from a skills assessment.
Option two is the 186 visa. The Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) is a permanent visa. If you have three years of full-time experience and a skills assessment, you may be able to apply through the Direct Entry stream. If you already hold a 482, you can look at the Transition stream. You can read more about employer sponsored visas.
Option three is a DAMA, or Designated Area Migration Agreement. A DAMA is a region-specific agreement with its own occupation list and requirements, which differ from the standard 482. For many occupations, a DAMA can be a more realistic option. It depends on your age, where you will work and your experience.
Option four is a partner visa. If you are in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen, you may be able to apply for a partner visa.
Contact our team to discuss your visa options.
Talk to an Immigration LawyerFAQ: 189 Invitation Round October 2026
How many people were invited in the 189 round on 15 October 2026?
Home Affairs invited 20,000 people. The round covered 159 occupations, with minimum scores from 65 to 100 points.
Which occupations were invited at 65 points in the October 2026 189 round?
There were 44 occupations at 65 points. They include Carpenter, Bricklayer, Electrician (General), Plumber (General), Solicitor, Valuer and Tennis Coach. You can see the full list above, or read about the 189 visa.
Were nurses invited in the October 2026 189 invitation round?
Yes. All 13 Registered Nurse occupations were invited at 70 points. Midwives and Nurse Practitioners were invited at 70 points too.
Is the subclass 189 visa closing in 2026?
There has been no official announcement that the 189 is closing. However, a new points test is planned for March 2027, and Work Visa Lawyers expects big changes to skilled migration. The firm would not build a whole migration plan around the 189. It is worth looking at other options too, such as employer sponsored visas.
What are the migration program planning levels for 2026–27?
The total permanent Migration Program is 185,000 places. The Skilled Independent (189) category has 21,090 places. Employer Sponsored has 58,040 places, and Regional has 14,110. You can read more in the Work Visa Lawyers 2026–27 planning levels article.
How long do I have to lodge after a 189 invitation?
Usually you have 60 days from the date of your invitation to lodge your visa application. If your invitation is dated 15 October 2026, the last day is 14 December 2026. Do not leave it to the final day.
When is the next 189 invitation round?
Check the SkillSelect page for any announcement. At the time of writing, Work Visa Lawyers has not seen a date for the next round, so you should not plan around one.
What can I do if my occupation was not invited?
Look at other pathways. These include the 482 visa, the 186 visa, DAMA options and a partner visa. You can also check state nomination through the 190 visa or the 491 visa. Talk to the Work Visa Lawyers team about your situation.
Disclaimer: This information is general only and does not take into account your personal situation. Australian migration rules and state nomination requirements can change quickly. You should get advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer before making a visa decision.