Australia’s skilled migration program has seen two significant developments today, with a new round of Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa invitations and the official opening of the NSW Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa program for 2026–27.

For skilled professionals seeking Australian permanent residency, these developments present important opportunities. However, understanding how invitations are issued, which occupations are being targeted and how the two visa pathways differ is essential when planning a skilled migration application.

Subclass 189: Latest Invitation Round – 15 October 2026

The Department of Home Affairs has conducted a new invitation round for the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa.

The Subclass 189 visa provides a pathway to Australian permanent residency without requiring nomination by a state or territory government or sponsorship by an employer.

Based on early invitation reports shared by applicants, the latest round has included a diverse range of occupations across construction, healthcare, education, engineering and other professional sectors.

Reported Subclass 189 Invitation Points

Important: These figures are based on preliminary applicant-reported invitations and have not been confirmed as official minimum invitation scores by the Department of Home Affairs. They should not be interpreted as guaranteed invitation thresholds.

What Can We Learn from This Invitation Round?

One of the most notable observations is the significant variation in reported invitation scores between occupations.

Some applicants in construction trades and legal occupations have reported receiving invitations with 65 points, while reported scores for certain engineering, education and professional occupations have reached 85–90 points.

This highlights an important distinction in Australia’s skilled migration system: a higher points score does not necessarily translate into better invitation prospects across different occupations.

Invitation outcomes are influenced by several factors, including occupation-specific arrangements, invitation priorities, available places and the applicant’s ranking within the relevant selection process.

Applicants should therefore avoid relying solely on invitation scores reported for unrelated occupations when assessing their own prospects.

NSW Subclass 190 Nomination Program Officially Opens for 2026–27

The NSW Government has officially announced the opening of its Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa nomination program for the 2026–27 program year.

NSW expects to conduct its first Subclass 190 invitation round in the week commencing 19 October 2026.

Unlike the Subclass 189 visa, the Subclass 190 pathway requires nomination by an Australian state or territory government. Successful state nomination provides an additional five points towards the applicant’s skilled migration points test.

However, NSW operates a competitive, invitation-based nomination process. Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee an invitation.

Updated NSW Skills List for 2026–27

NSW has also released its updated Skills List for the new program year.

The list reflects priority skills areas identified under the NSW Government’s State Migration Plan 2024–28, particularly occupations associated with significant workforce demand.

A key feature of the NSW Skills List is that occupations are identified at the four-digit ANZSCO unit group level, rather than individually at the six-digit occupation level.

This distinction is particularly important when assessing eligibility.

All occupations within an identified ANZSCO unit group that are otherwise eligible for the Subclass 190 visa may be considered for NSW nomination.

Conversely, occupations that do not fall within a unit group included on the NSW Skills List will not be considered for an NSW Subclass 190 nomination invitation.

Applicants should therefore verify their nominated occupation’s ANZSCO classification carefully rather than relying solely on an occupation title.

What Should Applicants Do Before the First NSW Invitation Round?

With the first invitation round expected in the week commencing 19 October 2026, applicants should review their SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) and ensure that all information is accurate and supported by valid documentation.

Particular attention should be given to:

• Skills assessments: Confirm that the assessment is valid and appropriate for the nominated occupation.
• English language results: Ensure the claimed English proficiency is supported by an accepted test result.
• Skilled employment: Verify that claimed employment periods and points meet the relevant requirements.
• Qualifications: Ensure qualifications and associated points claims are accurate.
• EOI details: Review the nominated occupation, points claims and other relevant information.

An invitation to apply for NSW nomination is not a visa grant. Applicants must still satisfy the relevant state nomination and Department of Home Affairs requirements.

Subclass 189 vs Subclass 190: Which Pathway Should Applicants Consider

Although both visas lead to permanent residency, they operate under different selection arrangements.

For applicants whose occupations face strong competition under the Subclass 189 program, state nomination may provide an additional pathway worth considering.

However, the additional five points available through Subclass 190 nomination should not be interpreted as an automatic advantage in securing an invitation.

NSW applies its own eligibility requirements and selection considerations, including nominated occupation, points score, English proficiency, education and skilled employment experience.

An applicant’s competitiveness under Subclass 189 does not necessarily reflect their prospects under NSW Subclass 190.

Importantly, eligible applicants may consider both pathways as part of their broader migration strategy, rather than relying exclusively on one invitation process.

Why a Broader Skilled Migration Strategy Matters

For many skilled migrants, the greatest challenge is not necessarily meeting the minimum points requirement, but understanding how competitive their application is within their nominated occupation.

An applicant with 90 points may still face a lengthy wait in one occupation, while another applicant with fewer points may receive an invitation under different occupation-specific selection circumstances.

At the same time, applicants must consider practical matters such as visa expiry dates, the validity of skills assessments, English test results and changes in employment circumstances.

Waiting for an invitation without periodically reviewing these factors can create unnecessary risks, particularly for temporary visa holders with limited time remaining in Australia.

The latest Subclass 189 invitation round and the opening of NSW’s Subclass 190 nomination program provide a timely opportunity for applicants to reassess their eligibility and migration options.

How Southern Stone International Can Assist

At Southern Stone International, we assist skilled migrants in understanding their eligibility, evaluating their invitation prospects and identifying appropriate migration pathways.

Our services include skilled occupation and points assessments, Subclass 189 and 190 eligibility reviews, state nomination advice, EOI preparation and broader migration planning, including employer-sponsored visa options where appropriate.

Whether you have already submitted an EOI or are exploring skilled migration for the first time, professional advice can help you make informed decisions based on your individual circumstances.

Contact Southern Stone International to discuss your skilled migration options and plan your next steps towards Australian permanent residency.

Disclaimer: Information is current as at 15 October 2026. Reported Subclass 189 invitation scores are preliminary and subject to official confirmation. NSW nomination eligibility and invitation arrangements are subject to applicable government requirements and may change. This article provides general information only and does not constitute individual migration advice.

Official resources:

• Department of Home Affairs – SkillSelect
• NSW Government – Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)