Next Invitation Round for Australia PR 2026: What to Expect & How to Prepare

Lakshmi

8 min read

Updated On Jan 2, 2026

With the Department of Home Affairs intensifying its focus on priority occupations and regional needs, the next invitation round Australia 2026 is highly anticipated by skilled migration aspirants. Explore what to expect in the next round & how to prepare

When is the Next Invitation Round for Australia PR 2026?

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Next Invitation Round Australia 2026
When is the Next Invitation Round Australia?
Australia Latest Invitation Round 2025
Understanding the Australia Invitation Rounds
Factors Influencing Your Chances in the Next Invitation Round Australia
Essential Tips for Preparing for the Next Invitation Round Australia
Are You Prepared for the Next Invitation Round Australia?

The next invitation round Australia 2026 is highly anticipated by skilled migration aspirants. With the Department of Home Affairs intensifying its focus on priority occupations and regional needs, competition is consistently rising.

Recent trends show that applicants with a score of 85 and healthcare or engineering backgrounds had a significantly higher success rate. Considering various such aspects the upcoming invitation rounds Australia could be a game changer for many awaiting candidates.

Next Invitation Round Australia 2026

Australia operates several skilled visa programs like Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189, Skilled Nominated Visa Subclass 190, and Skilled Work Regional (Provincial) Visa Subclass 491.

Candidates to be eligible for Australia's next invitation round would need to first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect system. An invitation round is a system or process where the Department of Home Affairs reviews the EOIs and issues invitations to the top-ranked candidates based on factors like:

Point Based Immigration System: Australia like Canada also has a point-based immigration system for Skilled worker immigration, and the score is allocated based on factors like Age, education, work experience, language skills, and other criteria.
Occupations Demand: Pertaining to the state-wise need and the list of in demand occupations in Australia regions.
State Nominations: For visas such as Subclass 190 and Subclass 491, applicants who the state has nominated have a higher chance of receiving an invitation in Australia PR latest invitation round

When is the Next Invitation Round Australia?

The Australia PR invitation round happens periodically most probably every Quarter based on factors like demand for certain occupations and changes in the immigration policy.

The exact timing of the invitation round Australia could vary depending on the backlogs and government priorities.

Let us have a look at the latest Invitation Round Australia and PR cutoff points for Indians

Invitation Round Date	Subclass 190	Subclass 491
August 21, 2025	6,887	150
November 2024	15,000	-
September 2024	7,973	-
June 2024	5,292	-

Australia Latest Invitation Round 2025

The latest invitation round Australia invited 7,037 candidates in the August 2025 and this round only targeted candidates under the Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189.

The lowest Aus PR cut-off score for eligible occupations was 65 -110 points.
The Tie Break date i.e. month and year for the August 21, 2025 Australia 189 visa latest invitation round was set for August 2025 and for Australia 491 visa invitation round was set for May 2025

List of Invitations Issued By Occupation and Minimum Score Requirements

The detailed list of occupations that received invitations in the invitation round Australia held on August 2025, along with the minimum score requirement is listed as follows:

Occupation	Subclass 189 Minimum score	Subclass 491 Minimum score
Actuary	90	N/A*
Agricultural Consultant	90	N/A*
Agricultural Scientist	90	N/A*
Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber	65	70
Architect	90	N/A*
Arts Administrator or Manager	90	N/A*
Audiologist	80	65
Barrister	95	N/A*
Biochemist	90	N/A*
Biotechnologist	90	N/A*
Boat Builder and Repairer	90	N/A*
Bricklayer	65	70
Cardiologist	80	80
Carpenter	65	N/A*
Carpenter and Joiner	65	N/A*
Cartographer	90	N/A*
Chemical Engineer	90	N/A*
Chemist	90	N/A*
Child Care Centre Manager	90	N/A*
Civil Engineering Draftsperson	90	N/A*
Civil Engineering Technician	90	N/A*
Clinical Psychologist	75	N/A*
Conservator	90	N/A*
Construction Project Manager	90	N/A*
Dermatologist	100	N/A*
Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist	85	N/A*
Drainer	65	N/A*
Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher	85	80
Economist	90	N/A*
Educational Psychologist	85	N/A*
Electrical Engineering Draftsperson	90	N/A*
Electrical Engineering Technician	90	N/A*
Electrician (General)	65	75
Electrician (Special Class)	65	N/A*
Electronic Equipment Trades Worker	110	N/A*
Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (Special Class)	95	N/A*
Electronics Engineer	95	N/A*
Emergency Medicine Specialist	80	N/A*
Engineering Manager	90	N/A*
Environmental Consultant	90	N/A*
Environmental Manager	90	N/A*
Environmental Research Scientist	90	N/A*
Environmental Scientists nec	90	N/A*
Fibrous Plasterer	90	N/A*
Food Technologist	90	N/A*
Forester	90	N/A*
Gasfitter	65	80
Gastroenterologist	80	N/A
General Practitioner	80	N/A*
Geophysicist	90	N/A*
Glazier	65	N/A*
Hydrogeologist	90	N/A*
Intensive Care Specialist	80	N/A*
Joiner	65	N/A*
Land Economist	90	N/A*
Landscape Architect	90	N/A*
Life Scientist (General)	90	N/A*
Life Scientists nec	90	N/A*
Management Consultant	90	N/A*
Marine Biologist	90	N/A*
Materials Engineer	90	N/A*
Medical Diagnostic Radiographer	80	90
Medical Laboratory Scientist	90	N/A*
Medical Practitioners nec	80	N/A*
Medical Radiation Therapist	80	N/A*
Metal Fabricator	105	N/A*
Metal Machinist (First Class)	85	N/A*
Metallurgist	90	N/A*
Meteorologist	95	N/A*
Microbiologist	90	N/A*
Midwife	80	75
Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum)	90	N/A*
Musician (Instrumental)	90	N/A*
Natural and Physical Science Professionals nec	90	N/A*
Neurologist	80	N/A*
Nuclear Medicine Technologist	80	N/A*
Nurse Practitioner	80	N/A*
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist	80	N/A*
Occupational Therapist	80	N/A*
Ophthalmologist	80	N/A*
Optometrist	80	N/A*
Orthopaedic Surgeon	85	N/A*
Osteopath	100	N/A*
Other Spatial Scientist	90	N/A*
Paediatric Surgeon	85	N/A*
Paediatrician	85	N/A*
Painting Trades Worker	70	N/A*
Panelbeater	90	N/A*
Petroleum Engineer	90	N/A*
Physicist	90	N/A*
Physiotherapist	80	80
Plumber (General)	65	80
Podiatrist	80	N/A*
Primary Health Organisation Manager	90	N/A
Psychiatrist	80	N/A*
Psychologists nec	85	N/A*
Registered Nurse (Aged Care)	80	80
Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)	80	N/A*
Registered Nurse (Community Health)	80	N/A*
Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)	80	65
Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability)	80	N/A*
Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation)	80	N/A*
Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)	80	N/A*
Registered Nurse (Medical)	80	65
Registered Nurse (Mental Health)	80	90
Registered Nurse (Paediatrics)	80	85
Registered Nurse (Perioperative)	80	85
Registered Nurse (Surgical)	80	80
Registered Nurses nec	80	5
Roof Plumber	65	N/A*
Secondary School Teacher	85	80
Social Worker	85	80
Solicitor	90	N/A*
Solid Plasterer	65	N/A*
Sonographer	80	N/A*
Special Needs Teacher	85	80
Specialist Physician (General Medicine)	80	N/A*
Specialist Physicians nec	80	N/A*
Speech Pathologist	80	65
Statistician	90	N/A*
Stonemason	65	N/A*
Surveyor	90	N/A*
Tennis Coach	95	N/A*
Thoracic Medicine Specialist	80	N/A
University Lecturer	85	80
Urologist	80	N/A*
Valuer	90	N/A*
Veterinarian	90	N/A*
Wall and Floor Tiler	65	75
Welder (First Class)	90	N/A*
Zoologist	90	N/A*

Next Invitation Round Australia: State or Territory Nominations Allocations 2025-26

The list of number of EOIs that could receive nominations from the state or territory nominations in the program year 2025-26 are as follows:

Visa subclass	ACT	NSW	NT	Qld	SA	Tas	Vic	WA
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)	800	2,100	850	1,850	1,350	1,200	2,700	2,000
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) State and Territory Nominated	800	1,500	800	750	900	650	700	1,400

Understanding the Australia Invitation Rounds

We understand that Aus PR Invitation rounds are a key part of the country’s immigration process, which is effectively managed through the SkillSelect system.

For aspirants aiming for Australia PR, understanding how these Australia Invitation rounds work and their importance can help you prepare better and improve your chances of getting an invitation to apply for permanent residency in Australia.

How Does the SkillSelect Invitation Rounds Work?

The SkillSelect Australia uses a point based method where applicants submit an expression of interest (EOI) outlining their skills, qualifications and work experience. During every next invitation round Australia candidates are ranked based on their point scores.

For those scores that meet or exceed the Australia PR cut-off are invited to apply for a visa while there is a clash of scores in such cases the timing of when these scores were updated is considered.The round timings and frequency can vary and the Australia PR cut off points depend on occupation demand and government priorities at the time of invitation round.

What is the Role of Point-Based System for Australia PR?

What is Australia Point System for Skilled Immigration? The Australia PR points system is the backbone of the PR invitation process. Scores are awarded to candidates based on factors - age, English language proficiency, work experience, and educational qualifications.

Since the competition is fierce only candidates with the highest score in each round receive invitations. The role of Australia PR cut-off is to act as the minimum point threshold and those meeting or surpassing it are selected an effort to ensure that Australia attracts highly scaled workers to fill gaps in its labor market.

Why Invitation Rounds Australia Matters for Skilled Migrants?

For Skilled migrants these Aus invitation rounds are crucial because they determine who is eligible for permanent residency in Australia. Receiving an invitation depends on achieving a score that meets or exceeds the invitation rounds PR cut-off. So it is essential to understand the ways to maximize your points.

These rounds are the foundation towards building a new life in Australia making them a vital part of the immigration process. Understanding how they work can help you navigate the process more confidently and give you the best chance to receiving the PR invite.

Also Read: Skilled Migration Visa Australia

Factors Influencing Your Chances in the Next Invitation Round Australia

To improve your chest of receiving an ITA in the next Australia invitation round you need to understand the key factors that influence your selection. Below are the major components that can help boost your profile:

Point score: The higher your points the better your chances of being invited a minimum of 65 points is required but invitation rounds typically favour candidates with 80 or more points
Occupation demand: Australia's Skill Occupation List (SOL) and Medium And Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) outline the professions that are currently in demand. Before submitting an EOI make sure your occupation is listed
State or Territory Nomination: Some states or territories in Australia may nominate individuals with skills that are in demand in their specific region. Significantly boost your chances of receiving an ITA. Ensure to research the state nomination criteria and apply accordingly.
English language proficiency: Proficiency in English is important. Securing a high score in English language proficiency tests (IELTS vs PTE) can increase your points. Especially if you score proficient (7 and above) or superior (8 and above) levels
Work experience and Education: Gaining relevant work experience, especially in occupations listed in SOL or MLTSSL earns you extra points. Also pursuing higher education in Australia could provide you with an edge.

Essential Tips for Preparing for the Next Invitation Round Australia

Now that you have gained an understanding of what is Australia Invitation Round is, what factors affecting your selection in the latest PR invitation round in Australia? Let us now explore the tips or suggestions that could help you maximize your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply.

Consider ways to increase your point score by gaining additional work experience, improving your language proficiency, or obtaining a higher qualification. You can also consider taking up the professional year program in Australia to boost your score.
Ensure to update your Expression of Interest (EOI) Australia as you get a new qualification or work experience as this ensures your profile reflects your most current status.
Consider state nominations if eligible - some states like Victoria and South Australia have specific programs for Skilled immigrants. Research which states have demand for your occupation and ensure you meet their criteria.
Keep track of the past invitation rounds Australia to understand the trends, cut-off scores, and occupation ceilings to gain insights into the competition
Regularly check Visa policies and occupation list changes. Make sure your occupation remains on the SOL or MLTSSL and that you continue to meet the eligibility requirement.

Are You Prepared for the Next Invitation Round Australia?

Australia's immigration system is designed to attract skilled migrants who can contribute to the country's economy and workforce. The next invitation round Australia is an opportunity for aspiring immigrants to move one step closer to achieving permanent residency.

By staying informed, improving your points score, and carefully selecting the Visa and occupation categories that best match your skills you can significantly increase your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply.

Alternatively, you can also seek assistance from trusted immigration experts like GetGIS. Our Australia immigration assistance team is here to help you understand and evaluate your profile, suggest the right visa type, and help you successfully navigate through the Australia PR process.

Book Your Free Consultation and let’s get started.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the visa update for Australia in 2024?

As part of the 2024 program, Australia will offer up to 1,000 eligible Indian citizens the First Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa each year. Indian passport holders who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for the visa ballot between October 1 and October 31 in preparation for the 2024-2025 program year.

How long does it take to get an invitation in Australia?

The waiting period to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Australian PR can vary. For some applicants, it may take as little as one month, while for others, depending on their occupation, it could take up to twelve months or longer.

Can I get PR with 75 points in Australia?

A score of 75 points for Australian PR is considered a good score. However, your chances of receiving an ITA depend on several factors, such as the demand for your nominated occupation under the ANZSCO code. Occupations in high demand increase your chances.

Which state is the easiest for PR in Australia?

Tasmania is often considered one of the easiest states to obtain Australian PR. It has affordable living costs, a high demand for skilled professionals, and a welcoming atmosphere. Key sectors like mining, tourism, agriculture, healthcare, and education offer excellent job opportunities in the region.

When will the next invitation round for Australia be?

Australia Skill migration invitation rounds for subclasses 189, 190, and 491 are not held on a fixed schedule and are issued regularly through SkillSelect. The last Subclass 189 federal round was conducted on November 13, 2025, with future rounds expected quarterly. Though no confirmation date for early 2026 has been announced yet, state and territory nomination rounds continue independently based on 2025-26 allocations.