189 Visa Invitation Rounds - How SkillSelect Works

To apply for a subclass 189 visa, you first need an invitation through SkillSelect. Here is how the invitation system works.

What is SkillSelect?

SkillSelect is the Australian government’s online system for managing skilled migration Expressions of Interest (EOIs). You submit your EOI declaring your occupation, points score, and preferences, then wait for an invitation.

How invitation rounds work

The Department of Home Affairs runs invitation rounds regularly - typically once or twice per month. In each round:

1. The department sets the number of invitations to issue
2. EOIs are ranked by points score (highest first)
3. Within the same points score, earlier lodgement dates are prioritised
4. Invitations are issued to the highest-ranked candidates until the round quota is filled

What scores are being invited?

Scores vary by occupation and round. For popular occupations like accountants, scores of 90-100 are common. For occupations in higher demand like software engineers or registered nurses, scores of 80-90 may be sufficient.

The key insight: the pass mark is 65 but very few occupations actually receive invitations at that score. Use the points calculator to see where you stand.

Tips for getting invited faster

• Maximise your English score - Moving from Proficient to Superior adds 10 points and is often the fastest improvement
• Consider state nomination - A 190 visa adds 5 points, and a 491 visa adds 15 points
• Keep your EOI updated - If your circumstances change (new English score, more experience), update your EOI immediately
• Check if your occupation has a ceiling - Some occupations have annual caps that fill quickly