Skilled Migration Update
Skill Select Invitation Round- November 2025
On 13 November 2025, the Department conducted the second invitation round for the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 491) visa for the 2025-2026 Migration year.
A total of 10,300 invitations were issued as follows:
- 10,000 invitations for the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa.
- 300 invitations for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 491) visa under the Family Sponsored stream.
Further details, including the minimum points scores required for invited occupations, are available on the Department’s website
This follows an earlier round on 21 August 2025 where a total of 7037 the invitations were issued as follows:
- 6887 invitations for the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa.
- 150 invitations for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 491) visa under the Family Sponsored stream.
Further details, including the minimum points scores required for invited occupations in this and earlier rounds, are available on the Department’s website.
Occupation Tier System/Selection Model for subclass 189 visas
A recently released Freedom of Information (FOI) document provides valuable insight into how the Department of Home Affairs may be managing Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa invitation rounds. The internal policy Minute dated 21 May 2025 outlines a proposed reform package and introduces a four-tier occupation priority model that ranks skilled occupations from Tier 1 (highest priority) to Tier 4 (lowest). Although not publicly announced, recent 189 invitation trends strongly reflect this system, indicating that it is already shaping selection for the 2025–26 program year.
While the tier model is not legislation, it explains why some occupations consistently receive invitations sooner than others. The Department’s internal ranking is based on labour market demand, training duration, government priorities and the volume of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) in SkillSelect.
Tier 1 – Highest Priority (multiplier 4.0%):
Occupations with critical shortages and long training pathways, including medical specialists, GPs, psychiatrists, surgeons, midwives, registered nurses and physiotherapists.
Tier 2 – High Priority (multiplier 2.0%):
Government-priority roles such as early childhood teachers, secondary teachers, special education teachers, psychologists and social workers.
Tier 3 – Medium Priority (multiplier 1.0%):
A wide range of occupations required for a balanced skills mix—engineers, architects, scientists, trades, lawyers, technicians, veterinarians, lecturers and similar professions.
Tier 4 – Lowest Priority (multiplier 0.5%):
Oversupplied occupations with high EOI volumes, including accountants, auditors, ICT professionals, telecommunications specialists and chefs.
Why This Matters for Skilled Visa Applicants
Applicants in Tier 1 and Tier 2 may receive invitations with lower points and shorter waiting periods. Meanwhile, those in Tier 4 often face longer delays despite strong points, due to limited occupation ceilings and higher competition. For many Tier 4 occupations, employer-sponsored pathways—such as the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) or the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)—may offer a more reliable pathway to permanent residency.
Additional Reforms Highlighted in the FOI Document
The FOI Minute outlines several recommendations indicating a shift toward a more coordinated and transparent skilled migration system:
- More predictable invitation rounds, ideally quarterly
- Greater transparency around invitation timings, program priorities and selection criteria
- Updated occupation ceilings managed across the entire skilled visa program (including subclasses 186, 190 and 491 before 189 invitations are issued)
- Better use of SkillSelect data to identify emerging skills needs earlier and adjust invitations accordingly
These proposed reforms signal the Department’s intention to create a more responsive, data-driven and user-friendly skilled migration program.
At Milne Migration Solutions, we closely monitor policy changes like these to help clients make informed decisions and plan the strongest pathway to Australian permanent residency.