189 Visa Invitation Round August 2025
After nine months, a new Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) invitation round was held on 21 August 2025. The previous round took place in November 2024.
This round brought positive news for many applicants, with invitations issued across the construction, health, and teaching sectors. Occupations invited included carpenters, painters, engineers, nurses, doctors, and teachers.
At a time when the Australian Government has not yet announced the 2025–26 allocations for the 189, 190, and 491 visas, the August 2025 invitation round came as a welcome news.
We hope the new allocations will be released soon and that state nominations will reopen shortly.
Invitation Round Overview
The Department of Home Affairs has not yet released the official figures for this round. Information such as the number of invitations issued and the minimum points required will be published once available.
Prior Reference: November 2024 Round
With the details of the August 2025 round not yet available on the Department of Home Affairs website, the 7 November 2024 invitation round stands as the most recent comparison:
- Invitations issued: 15,000
- Points threshold: Ranged from 65 for many trades and general roles, up to 95 for high-demand professions
You can read our blog on the November 2024 189 invitation round for more information.
What You Can Do Now
If you are waiting for an invitation, it’s important to keep your Expression of Interest (EOI) and documents up to date. Make sure that your English test results, skills assessments, and all declarations are current, as outdated information could affect your eligibility.
You should also look for opportunities to maximise your points. This may include claiming partner skills, completing a professional year, or retaking an English test to achieve a higher score. Even a small increase in points can improve your position in SkillSelect.
Finally, consider alternative visa pathways if the subclass 189 visa remains highly competitive and state nomination programs for the 190 and 491 visas are still closed. Employer-sponsored visas such as the 482 visa, 186 visa or 494 visa may offer a more practical route to securing permanent residency in Australia.
Contact us if you need assistance with applying for an Australian visa.
