You are here because, like others, you are also wondering about what is happening with Australia’s skilled independent visa invitations for 2025. When will be the next 189 invitation round? Are the number of invitees increasing or dropping this year? Is the competition getting tougher, or are there new possibilities or opportunities awaiting? Don’t pull your hair thinking about all these questions as we are here to break down the things that are going on in the country about visa 189.
Understanding Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189
Visa subclass 189 is a permit that allows skilled professionals who are not sponsored by the employer, family member, or territory to live and work permanently in Australia. It is a point-tested stream that is evaluated based on your occupation, experience, English proficiency, and skill.
The Department of Home Affairs invites you to be a part of 189 visa interviews for assessment. After successfully receiving permission to live and work anywhere in Australia you can become a sponsor too for your family.
To get this visa you must be not more than 45 years of age and meet the point cut-off of the year.
Read Also: Know About the Application Process for Visa Subclass 189
Application Process For Visa Subclass 189
- You start with submitting the Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Department of Home Affairs.
- Receive an invitation to apply for 189 visa.
- After you have successfully applied for a visa, go through the police and medical assessment.
- Receive and accept the decision on your visa permit.
- Enter the country by the date mentioned in your visa grant letter.
What is Happening With Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189?
Lately, Australia has been very unpredictable about the migration trends of the invited workers and the government is planning to adjust the system for the better. With every changing year, they bring new policies, all while shifting the priorities. So, if you are expecting a smooth subclass 189 visa progression in 2025, then you may be disappointed.
The reality is that the demand for skilled independent visa is skyrocketing and the number of applicants is relatively higher than in previous years. While the applications keep on coming, the government is trying its best to maintain a balance between economic needs, labor shortages, and political considerations.
The decisions made for the 189 invitation round directly affect the individuals who are invited, occupations in demand, and the requirement of points. So, whether you are optimistic or worried about the invitation, it will be discussed further.
What Points Do You Need For 189 Visa Invitation Round?
You must already know that the competition for 189 Visa Australia is going to be very tough this year. The points needed for most occupations were 85 to 95 in 2024 which is expected to rise in 2025. Some of the possible reasons behind the unstoppable rise in points requirements are:
- The numbers of applications continue to rise and more skilled migrants are submitting applications.
- The occupations are reaching their quotes quickly, thus you need every extra point to stand out in that particular field.
- State nomination visa 190 and 491 have lower point thresholds, thus are becoming popular among the skilled immigrants.
In general the minimum points needed by the applicants is recorded to be 65; however, it has changed to be more than 90-95 in 2025. So, if you have PR 90-95+ then you can expect 189 invitation round.
Read Also: How to Apply for Visa Subclass 189 (Permanent Residency)
Which Jobs Will Get 189 Visa Invitations in 2025?
While there are multiple job occupations in Australia that attract candidates from all over the world, there are three major contenders that are likely to receive PR invitations.
- Information technology
- Healthcare
- Engineering
Australia is seeking highly skilled professionals in these fields because of the skill shortages that have been seen in recent years. Not only that, occupations like general accounting and human resources were in high demand for ages but are in saturation now due to stiff competition. This makes it difficult for the candidates to secure a skilled independent visa in 2025.
However, if you are seeking opportunities in nursing, construction, teaching, and technology then you can have high hopes for invitations as Australia is seeking professional software developers, healthcare, and trades people. You can also consider these fields if you are looking forward to changing your career plan this year.
How To Improve Your Occupational Points?
The higher your points are, the more likely the chances of getting a 189 Visa invitation and continuing your work or study in Australia. If your current points do not meet the threshold, then you can implement these strategies to increase them before the 189 invitation round.
- Take English classes to become fluent and speak like natives to earn up to 20 points. Ensure to get the proficiency certification for proof.
- Work part-time or from home to gain additional experience and 15 points. You can try out different occupations as they will get you more points for your visa.
- Take guidance from educational institutions as higher education can get you 20 more points, increasing the chances of your invite.
- Get elected or nominated by the territory government agency so that you can earn extra 5 points to confirm your visa 189 invitation.
How Does The 189 Invitation Round Work?
The invitation for 189 visa is sent to the applicants by the Department of Home Affairs, Australia, once a month. You are eligible to receive the visa invitation only if you meet the score requirement or exceed the minimum points needed for your respective occupation. The point requirement differs depending on your occupation.
If you are wondering when the next invite will come, then you can expect it during March to April 2025. The last 189 invitation round occurred in November 2024, and if we look at the historical data, the government sends it out every 6-8 weeks.
What Should You Have For Visa 189?
If you get 189 invitation round today, then you must have the following documents in hand to avoid rejection. You must ensure that they are updated as per the recent information so it passes the verification.
- Points Documentation
- English test result
- Professional year completion document
- Skill assessment report
- Partner skill claim
- State nomination research
Conclusion
Applying for a visa 189 is quite easy for everyone, but getting the invitation in this fierce competition is challenging and tough. Keeping your documents updated and gaining extra points increases the chances of your invitation round. For any queries or issues you can directly consult with migration Agents Perth as they are here to offer you the best solutions. Get excited as you can get an invitation anytime now that the expected month has arrived. It is estimated that 2000 applicants will be called for March 2025 interview round, so don’t lose hope as your name might be on the list.
FAQ
What is the frequency of invitation rounds for the Subclass 189 visa?
As of May 2025, the Australian Department of Home Affairs does not follow a fixed schedule for issuing invitations for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189). Invitation rounds are conducted periodically based on Australia’s labour market needs and the number of applications in the SkillSelect system. The frequency and timing of these rounds can vary, and they are not announced in advance. To stay informed about the latest invitation rounds and updates, it’s advisable to regularly check the official Department of Home Affairs website or consult with a registered migration agent.
When was the latest SkillSelect invitation round conducted?
Current Invitation Round – 21 August 2025
The latest SkillSelect invitation round took place on 21 August 2025. The table below outlines the number of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) issued along with the corresponding tie-break dates:
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189): 6,887 invitations | Tie-break date: August 2025
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored: 150 invitations | Tie-break date: May 2025
