189 Invitation Round Analysis

RACC Australia - Education and Migration Services
Sep 5
2 min read

On 21 August 2025, the Department of Home Affairs conducted the latest SkillSelect invitation round. This round offered 6,887 invitations for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) and 150 invitations for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491 – Family Sponsored).

This update provides important insights into which occupations received invitations, the minimum points required, and what prospective applicants can learn when planning their pathway to Australian permanent residency (PR).

Key Highlights from the August 2025 Round

Subclass 189: 6,887 invitations
Subclass 491 (Family Sponsored): 150 invitations
Tie-break date: August 2025 for subclass 189, May 2025 for subclass 491
High demand occupations: Many science, health, and trade roles recorded cut-offs between 65–110 points

Occupation Insights

Trades and Construction

Bricklayer, Carpenter, Joiner, Roof Plumber, Solid Plasterer, Wall and Floor Tiler: Invitations issued at 65–70 points, reflecting continued demand for construction workers.
Electricians & Plumbers: General electricians were invited at 65 points (189), but 491 Family Sponsored required 75–80 points.

Insight: Trade occupations remain accessible at lower points, highlighting Australia’s skills shortage in construction and infrastructure.

Healthcare and Nursing

Registered Nurses: Majority streams (Aged Care, Critical Care, Medical, Surgical) required 80 points under subclass 189, while some were invited with as low as 65 points under 491.
Medical Practitioners (GPs, Radiologists, Psychiatrists, Specialists): Invitations largely at 80–85 points, with Dermatologists and Osteopaths requiring up to 100 points.
Allied Health (Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Midwives, Speech Pathologists): Cut-offs at 75–80 points.

Insight: Nursing and healthcare occupations continue to dominate invitations, but competition is intensifying for specialist medical roles.

STEM and Professional Roles

Engineers (Civil, Electrical, Electronics, Mining, Chemical): Invitations typically required 90–95 points, showing strong competition.
IT & Electronics Trades: An Electronic Equipment Trades Worker cut-off spiked at 110 points, the highest in this round.
Scientists (Biochemists, Microbiologists, Physicists, Environmental Scientists): All invited at 90+ points, indicating high demand yet intense competition.

Insight: STEM roles remain essential to migration priorities, but applicants need strong points profiles—often boosted by English, work experience, and state nomination.

What This Means for Applicants

Trade Pathways are Still Open: With entry points as low as 65, trade professionals have one of the most direct routes into subclass 189.
Healthcare Roles Are Competitive but Prioritised: Nurses and allied health professionals are consistently invited, with points thresholds stabilising around 80.
STEM Applicants Face High Cut-Offs: Engineers and scientists require 90+ points, making state nomination or alternative pathways crucial.
491 Family Sponsored Remains Niche: With only 150 invitations, this pathway is far more competitive than subclass 189.

Conclusion – Your Next Step

The August 2025 invitation round shows that while trade and nursing pathways remain achievable at moderate points, professional roles in STEM and medicine require higher scores and early preparation.

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