Australia SkillSelect
Invitation Round 2026

Not automatically. Being on the invited occupation list means your occupation was included in this round. You still need to have an active EOI in SkillSelect with a points score at or above the cutoff for your occupation. If you haven't yet submitted an EOI, now is the time to do so. Speak to GIEC Global to check your current points score first.

The minimum is 65 points, but Indian applicants in competitive occupations (like engineering or IT) often need 80–90+ points to receive an invitation, due to high demand from India. Factors like age, IELTS score, and Australian work experience can significantly boost your score. Our experts can calculate your exact score and advise on how to maximise it.

Yes. You must have a positive skills assessment from the relevant Australian assessing body before you can claim points for your nominated occupation in SkillSelect. Without this, your EOI will not be valid. Common assessing bodies for Indian applicants include Engineers Australia, AHPRA (healthcare), TRA (trades), and ACS (ICT professionals).

Yes. The Subclass 189 visa can be applied for onshore or offshore, including from India. You do not need to be in Australia at the time of application or even at the time of visa grant. You will need to make your first entry into Australia within the specified period after the visa is granted.

The next Subclass 189 invitation round is expected to be held before 30 September 2026. This gives Indian applicants time to complete their skills assessment, improve their English score if needed, and submit a strong EOI. Contact GIEC Global now to start the process well ahead of the deadline.

Processing times typically range from 6 to 18 months depending on individual circumstances and application completeness. Complete, well-prepared applications process faster. GIEC Global helps ensure your application is accurate and complete at lodgement to avoid unnecessary delays.

Yes. Your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children can be included in your Subclass 189 visa application as secondary applicants. They will receive the same permanent residency status and will be able to live, work, and study freely anywhere in Australia.

The Subclass 189 is a points-tested, state-independent permanent visa — you can live and work anywhere in Australia with no obligations to a specific state. The Subclass 190 is a state-nominated visa that requires nomination from a specific Australian state or territory, which adds 5 bonus points to your score but requires you to live in that nominating state for at least 2 years. Both lead to full Australian permanent residency. For Indian applicants with lower scores, the Subclass 190 can be an easier pathway.

Yes. Overseas skilled employment, including work experience in India, earns points under the overseas work experience category — between 5 and 15 points depending on years of experience in your nominated occupation. Work experience gained in Australia in your nominated occupation earns even higher points. Your work references must be detailed and verifiable, so GIEC Global helps you prepare employment evidence that meets Australian standards.

You must demonstrate at least Competent English — IELTS 6.0 in each band (or equivalent in PTE, TOEFL iBT, or OET). For the points test, Proficient English (IELTS 7.0 in each band) earns an extra 10 points, and Superior English (IELTS 8.0 in each band) earns 20 additional points. For most Indian applicants, improving your English score is the fastest, most cost-effective way to boost your points total and improve your chances of receiving an invitation.

Applicants aged 25 to 32 years receive the maximum 30 points for age at the time of invitation. Those aged 18–24 or 33–39 receive fewer points on a sliding scale. Applicants aged 45 or older are not eligible for age points. If you are approaching 33, it is important to act quickly to maximise your age contribution to your score while you still qualify for the higher bracket.

An Expression of Interest is an online profile you create in the SkillSelect portal through your ImmiAccount on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website. You enter your nominated occupation, qualifications, work experience, English test scores, and other relevant factors. Submitting an EOI is free. Your EOI is ranked by points score and, if your score meets the cutoff in a future round, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). GIEC Global can help you fill out your EOI accurately to maximise your points claim.

Yes, you can update your EOI at any time — including changing your nominated occupation — as long as you hold a valid skills assessment for the new occupation. However, changing your occupation resets your EOI submission date to the date of the change, which can affect your invitation priority since tie-breaking between equal-score EOIs is resolved by submission date. Always consult a registered migration agent before making any changes to your EOI.

Key documents include: a valid positive skills assessment, English language test results, identity documents (passport, birth certificate), employment references covering your skilled work experience, educational certificates and transcripts, health examination results conducted by an approved panel physician, police clearance certificates from India and any other country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years, and relationship/dependency documents if including family members. GIEC Global provides a complete personalised document checklist for Indian applicants.

The process depends on your occupation. For engineers, Engineers Australia offers a Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) pathway requiring submission of qualifications and a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR). Nurses and doctors are assessed by AHPRA and the AMC respectively. IT professionals apply through ACS online. Tradespeople apply through TRA. Most assessments are initiated online from India and take 4 to 16 weeks to complete. GIEC Global guides you to the right assessing authority for your occupation and helps you prepare a strong assessment application.