SkillSelect Invitation Rounds | Scores, Dates & Results Explained
Last Updated: 23 june 2026
Australia's skilled migration programme uses a points-based invitation system to select applicants for certain skilled visas. Understanding how invitation rounds work — and what affects your chances — is essential before you submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect.
What Is a SkillSelect Invitation Round?
An invitation round is a scheduled event run by the Department of Home Affairs during which eligible candidates in SkillSelect are selected and invited to apply for a skilled visa. Invitation rounds are held periodically throughout the Australian migration programme year.
Not everyone who submits an EOI will receive an invitation to apply for a visa. The number of invitations issued and the occupations included in each round vary depending on:
-
The needs of the Australian economy
-
The number of visa applications already on hand with the Department
-
Occupation ceilings set by the Australian Government
Invitation rounds are run for:
-
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored
State and territory government nominations for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – State and Territory Nominated are managed separately by each state or territory government and are not affected by departmental invitation rounds.
How the Invitation Process Works
Points-Based Ranking
When an invitation round is run, candidates are ranked by their points score. The highest-ranked EOI — by points score — will be invited to apply before any EOI with a lower points score.
This applies to:
-
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored
Tie-Breaking: Date of Effect
Where two or more EOIs have the same points score, the Department applies a tie-break rule using the date of effect — the time and date at which an EOI reached its current points score for that visa subclass. The EOI with the earlier date of effect will be invited before EOIs with a later date of effect.
This means that keeping your EOI current and accurate — and reaching your target points score as early as possible — can have a material impact on your position in the queue.
Occupation Ceilings
An occupation ceiling is an upper limit on the number of invitations that can be issued to EOIs nominating a specific occupation group in a given round.
Occupation ceilings are applied to ensure the skilled migration programme:
-
Meets the priorities set by the Australian Government
-
Remains balanced across industries
-
Continues to invite a diverse range of skilled occupations
Occupation ceilings do not apply to:
-
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
-
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – State and Territory Nominated
Invitation Round Results: Subclass 189 and 491
Use the tool below to browse all invitation rounds, search by occupation, and compare minimum scores for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored.
You can use the "Jump to round" dropdown to navigate directly to a specific invitation round date, and the search bar to filter results by occupation name.
Want the full dataset as a PDF? Download the complete SkillSelect Invitation Round History (2020–2026) — all 20 rounds, score cutoffs by occupation, tie-break dates included. Fill in the form below for instant access.
Managing Your EOI Before and After an Invitation Round
Your EOI will remain active in SkillSelect for 2 years from the date you submit it. During this time, the Department may invite you to apply for a visa.
Keeping Your EOI Current
You can update your EOI at any time before you receive an invitation. Keeping your information accurate is important because changes in your circumstances can affect your points score — and therefore your position in future invitation rounds.
Update your EOI if you have:
-
Gained new work experience
-
Received a higher educational qualification
-
Improved your English language proficiency
-
Obtained a new or updated skills assessment
-
Had a change in family structure (for example, the birth of a child)
You cannot update your EOI after you have received an invitation to apply for a visa.
What Happens If You Receive an Invitation
If you are invited to apply for a skilled visa, you have 60 days from the date of the invitation to complete and submit your visa application online through ImmiAccount.
Key points to note:
-
Submit your application as soon as possible after receiving the invitation
-
You must provide evidence to support all claims made in your EOI
-
If you do not accept the invitation within 60 days, you will need to wait for a second invitation — and there is no guarantee one will be issued
-
If you receive two invitations but do not apply, your EOI will be removed from SkillSelect
-
If you are granted a permanent or provisional visa, your EOI will be removed from SkillSelect
What Happens If You Are Not Invited
Submitting an EOI does not guarantee an invitation. After each invitation round, the Department publishes the lowest points score invited for the subclass 189 and subclass 491 (Family Sponsored) visas. This information can help you gauge how competitive your current score is for future rounds.
Frequently Asked Questions About Invitation Rounds
What is an invitation round in SkillSelect?
An invitation round is a scheduled event during which the Department of Home Affairs selects and invites eligible EOI holders in SkillSelect to apply for a skilled visa. Rounds are held periodically throughout the migration programme year, and the number of invitations varies depending on Australia's economic needs and the Department's current application volumes.
How often are SkillSelect invitation rounds held?
Invitation rounds are held periodically during the programme year, not on a fixed weekly or monthly schedule. During the 2025–26 programme year, rounds were held in August and November 2025. The frequency and timing of future rounds are determined by the Department of Home Affairs based on skilled worker demand and programme capacity.
What is the minimum points score needed to receive an invitation?
The minimum points threshold to submit an EOI is 65 points. However, the actual minimum score required to receive an invitation in any given round varies by occupation and by demand. In recent rounds, some occupations required 85 or higher for the subclass 189. The lowest score invited is published by the Department after each round.
What is a tie-break date in SkillSelect?
A tie-break date — also called the "date of effect" — is the date and time at which an EOI reached its current points score for a particular visa subclass. When two or more EOIs have the same points score in an invitation round, the Department invites the EOI with the earlier date of effect first. This means reaching your target points score sooner can improve your chances of receiving an invitation.
What is an occupation ceiling in SkillSelect?
An occupation ceiling is an upper limit on the number of invitations that can be issued to EOIs nominating a specific occupation in a given invitation round. Occupation ceilings are applied to the subclass 189 and subclass 491 (Family Sponsored) to help balance the skilled migration intake across industries. They do not apply to the subclass 190 or the subclass 491 – State and Territory Nominated.
Does submitting an EOI guarantee an invitation to apply for a visa?
No. Submitting an EOI does not guarantee you will be invited to apply for a skilled visa. Invitation depends on your points score, the number of invitations issued in a round, occupation ceilings, and competition from other EOI holders with the same or higher scores.
How long does an EOI remain active in SkillSelect?
An EOI, including an incomplete EOI, remains active in SkillSelect for 2 years from the date it was submitted. After 2 years, it will be archived. You can update your EOI at any time during that period, provided you have not yet received an invitation to apply.
Can I update my EOI after receiving an invitation?
No. Once you have received an invitation to apply for a skilled visa, you cannot update your EOI. You must ensure all information in your EOI is accurate before an invitation is issued, as you will need to provide evidence to support all claims made in your EOI when you submit your visa application.
What happens if I do not respond to an invitation within 60 days?
If you do not accept an invitation to apply for a visa within 60 days of receiving it, you will need to wait until you receive a second invitation. There is no guarantee a second invitation will be issued. If you receive two invitations and do not apply, your EOI will be removed from SkillSelect entirely.
Do state and territory nominations follow the same invitation round process?
No. State and territory government nominations for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – State and Territory Nominated are managed independently by each state and territory government. These nominations are not subject to the Department's invitation rounds and occur throughout the month according to each government's own priorities.
Related Migration Pathways
Understanding invitation rounds is one part of Australia's broader skilled migration framework. You may also want to explore:
-
SkillSelect Overview — How the SkillSelect system works and which visas require an EOI
-
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) — A permanent visa for skilled workers not sponsored by an employer or family member
-
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) — A permanent visa requiring nomination by a state or territory government
-
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) — A provisional visa for skilled workers willing to live and work in regional Australia
-
Employer Sponsored Visas — Visa options that do not require an EOI, including subclasses 186, 482, and 494
Sources
The following official Australian Government sources were used to produce this page: