Update (October 2026)
This article reports the May 2019 SkillSelect round. The Skilled Regional (subclass 489) visa mentioned here closed to new invitations in November 2019 and was replaced by the Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa. Invitation numbers, minimum scores and the way invitations are issued have changed many times since these rounds. For the latest results, see our 189 and 491 invitation round analysis.
Skilled visas- Invitations issued on 9 May 2019
The Department has released the details of SkillSelect’s 9 May 2019 invitation round. The number of invitations for the Skilled Independent 189 visa on this round reduced from 1,490 to only 100 (similar to the previous 9 April round). The number of invitations for regional skilled visa subclass 489 remained the same at 10. For the 2nd time, in this round no invitations were issued to applicants with less than 80 points for subclass 189.
Number of invitations for the 189 visa:
- 80 points: 36
- 85 points: 37
- 90 or higher: less than 22
- 95 points: 5
The table below shows the number of invitations issued in the SkillSelect invitation round on 11 May 2019.
| Visa subclass | Number |
|---|---|
| Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) | 100 |
| Skilled Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 489) | 10 |
During 2018-19 program year the following numbers of invitations have been issued:
9 May 2019 results
The following graph shows the points for clients who were invited to apply in the 9 May 2019 round.
Invitation process and cut offs
The highest ranked clients by points score are invited to apply for the relevant visa. For clients who have equal points scores, the time at which they reached their points score for that subclass (referred to as the date of effect) determines their order of invitation. Expressions of Interest with earlier dates of effect are invited before later dates.
| Visa subclass | Minimum points score | Latest date of effect |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) | 80 | 22/03/2019 4:31 pm |
| Skilled Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 489) | 85 | 28/04/2019 1:45 am |
Point scores and the dates of effect cut off for the pro rata occupations in the 9 May 2019 invitation round.
Due to high levels of demand, and in keeping with previous years, the below occupation groups will be subject to pro rata arrangements to ensure availability of invitations across the program year.
SkillSelect first allocates available places to Skilled – Independent visas (subclass 189) and then the remaining to Skilled – Regional (Provisional) visas (subclass 489). If all places are taken up by subclass 189 visas then there will be no invitations issued for subclass 489 visas in these occupations.
| Occupation ID | Description | Minimum points score | Latest date of effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2211 | Accountants | 90 | 01/05/2019 6:46 am |
| 2212 | Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers | 85 | 28/12/2018 5:43 pm |
| 2334 | Electronics Engineer | 85 | 02/05/2019 12:44 pm |
| 2335 | Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers | 80 | 22/03/2019 4:31 pm |
| 2339 | Other Engineering Professionals | 80 | 18/01/2019 3:13 pm |
| 2611 | ICT Business and System Analysts | 85 | 03/05/2019 8:13 pm |
| 2613 | Software and Applications Programmers | 80 | 10/02/2019 3:58 pm |
| 2631 | Computer Network Professionals | 80 | 20/03/2019 6:53 pm |
Invitations issued during 2018-19 program year
| Visa subclass | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) | 1,000 | 2,490 | 2,490 | 4,340 | 4,340 | 2,490 | 2,490 | 1,490 | 1,490 | 100 | 100 | 22,820 | |
| Skilled Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 489) | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 110 | |
| Total | 1,010 | 2,500 | 2,500 | 4,350 | 4,350 | 2,500 | 2,500 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 110 | 110 | 22,930 |
The above figures do not include invitations issued for State and Territory Government nominated visa subclasses. State and Territory Governments nominate throughout the month for specific points tested skilled migration and business innovation and investment visas.
What this means in 2026
SkillSelect rounds in 2026 look very different from the May 2019 round reported above. The 489 visa has been replaced by the Skilled Work Regional (491) visa, and invitation numbers now vary widely from round to round.
Recent rounds. The most recent published 189 round was held on 4 June 2026, when 10,000 invitations were issued with a tie break date of 24 April 2026. Minimum scores invited ranged from 65 points for many construction trades (such as carpenters, electricians and plumbers) up to 95 or more for some science, ICT and medical occupations. A round planned for 30 September 2026 was postponed and held on 15 October 2026, and its results had not been published at the end of October 2026.
How invitations work now
- Get a positive skills assessment and the English test result you need.
- Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect with at least 65 points. An EOI stays active for 2 years.
- For the 189 visa and the family sponsored 491, invitations are issued by the Department in rounds, ranked by points and then by the date you reached your score.
- For the 190 and state nominated 491, each state or territory selects candidates under its own program and list.
- If invited, you have 60 days to lodge your visa application, and every claim in your EOI must be true at the time of invitation.
Next steps. Keep your EOI up to date, check whether you can claim more points (for example through English, a partner skills claim or a Professional Year), and consider state nomination as well. See our latest invitation round analysis for current results.
What is the minimum score for a 189 invitation?
The pass mark is 65 points, but in practice the score needed depends on your occupation and the round. Many occupations need 75 to 95 points or more.
How long does an EOI stay active?
2 years from the date it is lodged.
How long do I have to apply after an invitation?
60 days.
What replaced the 489 visa?
The Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa, from 16 November 2019.
