SkillSelect October 2026 Invitation Round: 20,000 Skilled Visa Invitations – Who Benefited?
9 November 2026 | By Youssef Haddad | ILM Australia
Australia's latest SkillSelect invitation round has delivered a significant increase in invitations for skilled migrants, with the Department of Home Affairs issuing 20,000 invitations for the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa on 15 October 2026.
This represents a 100% increase compared with the previous invitation round held on 4 June 2026, when 10,000 invitations were issued.
However, a closer examination of the official results reveals a more complicated picture. While certain occupations experienced substantial reductions in the minimum points required to receive an invitation, others remained highly competitive, with some recording higher minimum scores than the previous round.
For skilled migrants hoping to secure Australian permanent residency, these differences are particularly important.
1. October 2026 SkillSelect Invitation Round – Official Results
The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed the following invitation figures:
The October round is particularly significant because 20,000 invitations were issued in a single event.
Nevertheless, an invitation to apply for a visa should not be confused with a visa grant. Applicants must still lodge a valid application and satisfy the relevant requirements before permanent residency can be granted.
2. Some Occupations Experienced Significant Reductions in Minimum Points
One of the most noteworthy findings from the October results is the reduction in minimum invitation scores across several occupations.
For certain professions, the minimum score fell by as much as 15 points compared with June.
The following comparison is based on official Home Affairs invitation-round data.
The reduction for Cabinetmakers, Automotive Electricians and Solicitors is particularly notable.
In June, applicants in these occupations needed at least 80 points to receive an invitation. By October, the minimum published score had fallen to 65 points.
This demonstrates that a larger invitation round can substantially change the opportunities available to applicants in certain occupations.
However, the published figures represent the lowest points scores among applicants invited during that particular round. They do not establish the score required for future invitation rounds.
3. Construction and Trade Occupations Performed Strongly
Australia's construction and trade sectors featured prominently among occupations receiving invitations at 65 points.
Examples include:
Carpenters – 65 points
Cabinetmakers – 65 points
Bricklayers – 65 points
Electricians (General) – 65 points
Plumbers (General) – 65 points
Automotive Electricians – 65 points
Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics – 65 points
The results are encouraging for eligible skilled tradespeople, particularly those who previously believed their points scores were insufficient to receive a subclass 189 invitation.
The findings are also consistent with Australia's continuing workforce requirements in construction, housing and essential infrastructure.
However, the results alone do not establish that Home Affairs has introduced a new occupation-priority policy.
4. Healthcare Professionals Continue to Feature Prominently
The healthcare sector also recorded competitive minimum invitation scores.
Several Registered Nurse occupations received invitations at 70 points, including Aged Care, Mental Health, Medical, Surgical and Critical Care and Emergency nursing.
Other healthcare occupations recording minimum scores of 70 points included Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Psychiatrists.
These results indicate that skilled healthcare professionals continue to have opportunities through the subclass 189 visa pathway.
Importantly, an applicant's occupation, skills assessment, English language proficiency, age and overall points score remain relevant to their individual eligibility and competitiveness.
5. Not Every Occupation Benefited from the Larger Round
Although the October invitation round was twice the size of the June round, some occupations experienced increased minimum invitation scores.
For example:
These figures demonstrate why applicants should not rely exclusively on the total number of invitations issued when evaluating their prospects.
Invitation outcomes can vary significantly between occupations, depending on the number and characteristics of eligible Expressions of Interest and the selection parameters applied during a particular round.
Consequently, the announcement of a larger round does not necessarily mean every skilled migrant has a greater prospect of receiving an invitation.
6. Why Were No Subclass 491 Family Sponsored Invitations Issued?
Another important finding is that the October round did not include any invitations for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Subclass 491 Family Sponsored stream.
This follows the June 2026 round, which also recorded zero invitations for that stream.
By comparison, the Department issued 450 subclass 491 Family Sponsored invitations during the 2025–26 program year.
The absence of Family Sponsored invitations in October raises questions about the frequency and scale of future invitations for this pathway.
However, the published figures do not establish why no invitations were issued.
It would therefore be premature to conclude that the Family Sponsored stream has been suspended or that no further invitations will occur.
Importantly, the subclass 491 State or Territory Nominated stream operates separately. State and territory nomination activity should not be confused with federal Family Sponsored invitation rounds.
7. How Does This Compare with Australia's Annual Migration Program?
For the 2026–27 financial year, the Australian Government has allocated 21,090 places to the Skilled Independent visa category.
This represents an increase from 16,900 places in 2025–26.
The 20,000 invitations issued in October are equivalent to approximately 94.8% of the annual Skilled Independent planning level.
However, this comparison requires careful interpretation.
The annual planning level refers to visa places, while the October figure refers to invitations to apply.
Not every invitation will result in a visa application or grant. Furthermore, visas granted during the financial year may relate to applications lodged following earlier invitation rounds.
Accordingly, the October invitation figures do not mean that almost 95% of the annual Skilled Independent visa places have already been allocated or filled.
8. Will There Be Another Large SkillSelect Round?
This is likely to be one of the most important questions for applicants who have not yet received an invitation.
The October results demonstrate that Home Affairs was prepared to issue a substantial number of subclass 189 invitations during the early part of the 2026–27 program year.
However, the Department has not announced an equivalent future invitation round or confirmed how many invitations will be issued in subsequent rounds.
Future invitation activity may depend on a range of factors, including migration program management, available visa places, application outcomes and the Department's selection priorities.
Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that another 20,000-invitation round is imminent.
Equally, it would be incorrect to conclude that no further invitations will be issued simply because October's invitation total was substantial.
9. What Should Skilled Migration Applicants Do Now?
For individuals intending to pursue a Skilled Independent visa, the October results provide useful information about recent invitation outcomes.
Applicants should review their current Expression of Interest to ensure that the information remains accurate, particularly in relation to:
Their nominated occupation and valid skills assessment.
English language test results and points claims.
Skilled employment experience and supporting documentation.
Qualifications, professional registrations and other relevant eligibility requirements.
Their potential eligibility for alternative migration pathways, including subclasses 190 and 491 State or Territory Nominated visas.
It is also important to understand that meeting the minimum points score published for a previous round does not guarantee an invitation in a future round.
10. ILM Australia's Assessment
The October 2026 SkillSelect round represents a substantial development in Australia's Skilled Independent migration program.
The doubling of invitations compared with June is significant, particularly when considered alongside the Government's increased Skilled Independent planning level for 2026–27.
However, the occupation-specific results provide the most valuable insight.
While some occupations experienced reductions of up to 15 points, others recorded increased minimum scores or remained highly competitive.
This highlights the importance of assessing each applicant's circumstances individually rather than relying on general headlines about invitation numbers.
For skilled migrants who have been waiting for an invitation, the October results may provide renewed encouragement. Nevertheless, future invitations remain dependent on the Department's selection processes, and no applicant should assume that previous minimum scores will be repeated.
ILM Australia will continue monitoring official SkillSelect invitation rounds, occupation-specific results and developments affecting Australia's skilled migration pathways.
Immigration Law Matters Australia
📍 Melbourne Office, Level 4, 256 Queen Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
☎️ (03) 9606-0674
ILM Australia
'Solving The Australian Immigration Puzzle'
Information current as at 9 November 2026. This article provides general migration information and does not constitute advice about an individual's visa eligibility or prospects.
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