After months of waiting, we finally have movement — the Department of Home Affairs has released a new Skilled Independent visa update for the subclass 189, and it’s brought a lot of excitement (and some relief) for applicants who’ve been holding their breath.
At Pathway to Aus, we were thrilled to see over 40 invitations come through for our clients. This is a strong sign that the government is moving forward with skilled migration and prioritising areas that need urgent attention.
Who Got Picked This Time?
The spotlight in this round was firmly on the construction and housing trades. Occupations like carpenters, electricians, painters, and solid plasterers dominated the invitations. This is no surprise given the ongoing housing shortage across Australia. The government is clearly prioritising skilled trades to get more homes built and infrastructure projects delivered.
Every carpenter and electrician with 65 points that we had in the system received an invitation — which really highlights how strongly the government is leaning into construction. For anyone in these occupations, now is the best time to act.
That said, not all invitations went to tradies. We also saw invitations for an Early Childhood Teacher with 85 points, a Life Scientist with 90 points, and even a Boat Builder with 90 points. These results show that while trades are the main focus, other high-demand professions are still being considered — but at much higher points thresholds.
Learn more: How Many Points Do You Really Need for PR in Australia? Real Stories Inside
Why It Matters
Even if you weren’t one of the lucky ones this time, this latest news on the 189 visa sends an important message: the government is being very deliberate about where invitations are going. For construction trades, this is the strongest Australia PR visa update we’ve seen in months. It suggests more invitations could follow in upcoming rounds especially as pressure mounts to address the housing crisis.
For other professions, it’s a reminder that the 189 visa points requirement is critical. Invitations outside of trades are possible, but you’ll need to push your points as high as you can — through better English results, additional work experience, or claiming partner points.
A Quick Refresher on the 189 Visa
The Skilled Independent visa, subclass 189 is one of the main pathways to permanent residency in Australia. Unlike other visas, you don’t need employer sponsorship or state nomination. It gives you the freedom to live and work anywhere in the country.
The catch? You need to receive an invitation to be able to apply. It’s points-based and the higher your points, the more likely you are to receive an invitation. You’ll need to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the 189 visa through SkillSelect, where applicants are ranked according to things like:
- Age
- English language skills
- Work experience
- Qualifications
- Partner skills
- Bonus factors such as regional study
Once the government runs a skilled migration invitation round, the people with the highest scores in the priority occupations are invited to apply. The tricky part is that these rounds aren’t announced ahead of time, and sometimes months can pass between them. That’s why having a strong, up-to-date EOI already in the system is so important.
Want to learn how many points you need? Try our points calculator here.
What About the State Programs?
Another big question we’re getting right now is about the state migration programs — the subclass 190 and 491 visas. At this stage, they haven’t been officially announced, but all signs point to September as the likely commencement date for the 2025/2026 program.
For many applicants, the state pathways will provide more opportunities to secure permanent residency if they don’t receive a 189 invitation. While the Skilled Independent visa is highly competitive, the 190 (state nominated) and 491 (regional) visas are fantastic options that may have slightly different criteria or points cut-offs.
What It Tells Us About Future Rounds
Looking at this latest round, there are a couple of clear takeaways:
- Construction trades are front and centre. Carpenters, electricians, painters, and plasterers with 65 points are in the strongest position we’ve seen in years.
- High points are essential outside of trades. Early Childhood Teacher (85), Life Scientist (90), and Boat Builder (90) invitations prove that non-trade roles are still being considered — but only at the very top end of the points scale.
- Other pathways will open soon. With the 190 and 491 visas likely to be announced in September, more options will be on the table for skilled migrants.
If you’re weighing your choices, it’s worth comparing the 189 vs 190 visa differences to figure out which route makes the most sense for your situation.
How to Get Yourself Ready
If you’re still waiting, use this time wisely. A few practical steps you can take include:
- Reviewing your current points score and checking if there’s any way to improve it.
- Making sure your skills assessment and supporting documents are up to date.
- Considering another English test if your score could be stronger.
- Staying across government announcements so you know where the priorities are shifting.
If you’re unsure how to apply for the 189 visa in Australia, now is the time to prepare your documents and make sure your EOI is competitive. And of course, if the process feels overwhelming, reaching out to a migration professional can save you a lot of stress.
More related article to read on: What Really Happens After You Lodge Your Expression of Interest (EOI) for Skilled Migration to Australia?
A Win for the Successful Applicants
Congratulations to those who received invitations in the latest 189 invitation round — it’s a huge milestone and the beginning of a life-changing journey toward permanent residency in Australia. Your skills are needed, and your contribution will make a real difference in industries that are crying out for help.
For those still waiting, don’t lose hope. Skilled migration is a marathon, not a sprint. The fact that invitations are happening again is encouraging, and as long as you’re prepared, you’ll be ready to take advantage of the next round when it comes.
How Pathway to Aus Can Support You
Here at Pathway to Aus, we’ve helped thousands of people navigate the complexities of the visa process — from students and tradies to teachers and professionals in dozens of different industries.
Whether you’re a carpenter looking to lodge your EOI, a scientist hoping to boost your points, or simply unsure where to start, we can sit down with you, look at your situation, and map out a clear plan. Book a consultation today!
We’ve supported countless applicants on their skilled migration pathway to PR, and we can help you too.
The release of this invitation round shows that opportunities can appear without much warning. If you’re serious about staying in Australia, now is the time to prepare — so you’re not left waiting on the sidelines when the next round opens.
