189 Visa Australia and 190 Visa Australia at 65–80 Points: Who Gets PR Invitations in 2026?

Updated 28 October 2026 · Based on Department of Home Affairs data and reported 2026–27 SkillSelect rounds

Australia remains one of the most popular permanent residency destinations for skilled Indian professionals. Clear rules, strong salaries and a points-based system make it look simple from the outside. Yet thousands of applicants submit an expression of interest every year and then wait without hearing anything.

The question we hear most often from engineers, nurses, accountants, chefs and IT workers is direct: with my points, do I actually have a chance? The honest answer depends far more on your occupation and your chosen pathway than on the points alone.

This guide explains how invitations really work this year, which professions are being invited at lower scores, when state nomination is the smarter choice and how to lift your score. If you want a personal assessment, our Australia PR visa consultants can review your profile.

How the 189 Visa Australia Invitation System Works in 2026

The 189 visa Australia program, officially the Skilled Independent visa, is a permanent visa with no employer or state sponsor. You first lodge an expression of interest (EOI) in SkillSelect. Home Affairs then runs invitation rounds and invites the highest-ranked EOIs in each occupation.

Inside every occupation, EOIs are ranked by points. If two people have the same score, the one who reached that score first goes ahead. This is the "tie-break date" you see in round results.

Each occupation also has a yearly ceiling. Once it fills, no more invitations go to that occupation, whatever your points. This is why a score of 85 can win in one occupation and lose in another.

The 190 visa Australia pathway, the Skilled Nominated visa, works differently. Your EOI is picked by a state or territory, not by Home Affairs. The state nomination adds 5 points, and states choose based on their own skills lists and local needs.

What Changed for the 189 Visa Australia and 190 Visa Australia Programs in 2026

Several settings moved between the 2025–26 and 2026–27 program years. The table below shows what matters most for points-tested applicants.

Two points stand out. First, there are more 189 visa Australia and 190 visa Australia places this year, which helps applicants in the 65–80 range. Second, regional 491 places have been cut sharply, so the 491 is no longer the easy fallback it once was.

The points test redesign aims to favour younger, more highly educated and higher-skilled applicants. The government has said transitional arrangements will protect existing invitations, but the final rules had not been published at the time of writing.

Latest 189 Visa Australia Invitation Rounds: What 65 to 80 Points Achieved

The 4 June 2026 round (official)

The last 189 visa Australia round of the 2025–26 year was held on 4 June 2026. Home Affairs issued 10,000 invitations for the subclass 189, with minimum scores between 65 and 100 points depending on occupation. The tie-break date was 24 April 2026.

Only a small group of occupations, mostly construction trades, were invited at 65 points. Registered nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, general practitioners, secondary teachers and social workers were generally invited around 75 points. Engineering, science and management roles mostly sat between 80 and 95 points.

The 15 October 2026 round (reported)

The first round of 2026–27 was held on 15 October 2026, after three months without 189 invitations. Home Affairs had not published official totals or cut-offs when this guide was updated, so the figures below come from invitations reported by migration agencies.

Check our latest Australia invitation round results page, or the official SkillSelect invitation rounds page, for confirmed cut-offs once they are released.

Which Skilled Professionals Have Better Chances for a 189 or 190 Visa Australia at 65–80 Points?

Here is a practical view of where each score band stands right now, based on recent rounds and current state settings.

Construction trades

Trades are the clearest winners. Australia faces a long housing and infrastructure shortage, and construction is also a top priority sector for processing under Ministerial Direction 122. A tradesperson with a positive TRA assessment and 65 to 70 points has a real chance at the 189 visa Australia this year, and an even stronger one for the 190 visa Australia in open states.

Healthcare professionals

Nurses and allied health workers remain in heavy demand. Registered nurses have one of the largest occupation ceilings, which keeps invitations flowing at 70 to 75 points. Our guide to nursing PR in Australia covers AHPRA registration and the ANMAC assessment.

Teachers and social workers

Teaching is also a priority sector. Secondary and early childhood teachers have been invited around 75 points, with some reports higher. Social workers sit in a similar range.

Engineers, IT professionals and accountants

These are the most crowded occupations among Indian applicants. Civil, mechanical and electrical engineers often need 80 points or more. Software engineers and accountants have needed 90 to 100 points in the past, or have not been invited at all. If this is your field, the 190 visa Australia route is often more realistic than waiting in the 189 pool. Read our page on Australia PR for engineers and plan for the 190 or an employer route.

Is 65, 70, 75 or 80 Points Enough for a 189 Visa Australia Invitation?

Treat 65 points as an entry ticket, not a target. It lets you lodge an EOI, but only a handful of occupations are invited at that level.

• 65 points: enough mainly for construction trades. Everyone else should treat 65 as a starting point.
• 70 points: competitive for trades and some nursing roles in the October round.
• 75 points: the sweet spot for much of healthcare and teaching.
• 80 points: opens most of healthcare, teaching and some engineering, but often still short for IT and accounting.

Remember that your score can drop. Points for age change on your birthday, and English results expire after 3 years. Re-check your score with our Australia PR points calculator every few months.

Subclass 190 Visa Australia: How State Nomination Changes Your Odds

For many applicants at 65 to 80 points, the subclass 190 visa Australia is the more realistic door. The nomination adds 5 points, and states often invite occupations that are not being picked in 189 rounds.

Which states are open for 2026–27?

State programs open at different times each year. As per reports up to late October 2026:

• New South Wales: 190 program open, with the first round expected in the week of 19 October 2026. The NSW 491 is closed to new applicants.
• Victoria: registrations of interest open for the 190, with 900 nomination places for 2026–27.
• Tasmania: open, with 1,250 places for the 190 and 800 for the 491.
• Queensland: not yet open, awaiting its federal allocation.
• South Australia, Western Australia, ACT: reported as open with their own criteria.

190 visa conditions after grant and the 2-year obligation

When a state nominates you, you commit to live in that state for at least 2 years after arrival or grant. It is not a numbered visa condition, but states track it and you sign a declaration. Moving early without a genuine reason can damage future dealings with the state and Home Affairs.

Apart from that commitment, a 190 visa Australia grant gives you the same permanent rights as a 189: work for any employer, Medicare, public schooling for children and a pathway to citizenship.

189 Visa Requirements and 190 Visa Requirements in 2026

The core 189 visa requirements and 190 visa requirements are almost the same. You need to:

• Be under 45 years of age when invited
• Have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
• Hold a positive skills assessment from the right body, such as VETASSESS, ACS, Engineers Australia, ANMAC or TRA
• Show at least competent English (IELTS 6 in each band or equivalent)
• Score at least 65 points (for the 190, this includes the 5 nomination points)
• Receive an invitation and lodge within 60 days
• Meet health and character requirements

For the 190, you must also meet the nominating state's own rules, which may include living or working there, or having a job offer.

Australia PR Points Table: Where You Can Add 5 to 20 Points

Most applicants stuck at 65 to 75 can still gain points. This table summarises the current points test, which applies until the redesigned test takes effect.

Overseas and Australian work experience together are capped at 20 points. For most Indian applicants, the fastest gain is moving from competent to superior English, which can add 20 points in one test.

189 Visa Australia and 190 Visa Australia Fees and Processing Time in 2026

Costs rose by roughly a quarter on 1 July 2026. The figures below are government charges only.

Under Ministerial Direction 122, applicants in construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, resources, law enforcement and defence go to the front of the queue. Onshore applicants come next. Everyone else is processed after that, so their wait can be longer than the published figures.

189 vs 190 vs 491: Which Route Fits Your Points?

If you are unsure which pathway to target, compare the three side by side.

Read more about the Skilled Work Regional 491 visa. If your score is far below the cut-off, the employer nomination scheme subclass 186 may be a better path.

How to Apply for the 189 Visa Australia or 190 Visa Australia: Step by Step

1. Choose the right occupation code. Match your real duties to an ANZSCO occupation on the relevant list.
2. Get your skills assessment. Apply to the correct assessing authority with reference letters that clearly list duties.
3. Take your English test. Aim for proficient or superior, not just competent.
4. Calculate your points honestly. Only claim what you can prove with documents.
5. Lodge your EOI in SkillSelect. Select the 189, the 190 and the states you would accept.
6. Apply to states. Some states, such as Victoria, need a separate registration of interest.
7. Accept your invitation and lodge within 60 days. Upload identity, education, work, English and skills documents.
8. Complete health checks and police certificates. Answer any request for information quickly.

Full details are on our skilled independent visa subclass 189 page and on the official Home Affairs 189 visa page.

Common Mistakes That Cost Applicants Their Invitation

Overclaiming points

Claiming work experience that the skills assessment did not count is the top cause of refusals. If invited on wrong points, the visa can be refused and the fee is lost.

Letting English results expire

Test results are valid for 3 years for points purposes. Applicants who wait a long time in the pool sometimes lose 10 or 20 points without noticing.

Ignoring age changes

Turning 33 or 40 drops your age points. Plan your EOI timing and English test around your birthday.

Only selecting the 189

Many Indian applicants never apply to states. At 65 to 80 points, skipping the 190 visa Australia often means missing the most realistic invitation.

Weak reference letters

Letters that do not list duties, hours and dates in detail lead to reduced experience in the skills assessment, which means fewer points.

How GIEC Global Helps You Plan Your Australia PR

Our team works with Indian professionals at every points level. We check your occupation code, prepare your skills assessment, plan your English target, and track 189 visa Australia rounds and 190 visa Australia state programs as they open. Our Australian services are led by a Registered Migration Agent, so your advice follows current Home Affairs rules.

For the 189 visa Australia and 190 visa Australia, the most useful first step is a profile review. In one session we can tell you whether the 189, 190, 491 or an employer route suits your points and occupation.

Conclusion: Your Best Route at 65–80 Points in 2026

In 2026, PR invitations at 65 to 80 points are realistic for construction trades, healthcare workers, teachers and social workers. For engineers, IT professionals and accountants, the same score usually needs state nomination, more points or another route.

The 189 visa Australia program has more places this year, and the 190 visa Australia program has a larger allocation, but competition remains strong and a points test redesign is coming. Act now, lodge an accurate EOI for both the 189 visa Australia and the 190 visa Australia and keep your documents current. Book a free profile review with GIEC Global and we will show you your strongest pathway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is subclass 189 a permanent visa?

Yes. The subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa is a permanent visa. From the day it is granted you can live, work and study anywhere in Australia, enrol in Medicare and sponsor eligible relatives. There is no employer or state link, and after meeting residence rules you can apply for Australian citizenship.

Is it hard to get a 189 visa?

It depends on your occupation. In 2026 construction trades have been invited from about 65 points and nurses from about 70 to 75, while many IT, accounting and some engineering roles needed 90 points or more, or were not invited. The visa itself is not hard if your claims are true; the invitation is the competitive part.

How much is the 189 visa fee?

For applications lodged from 1 July 2026, the 189 visa charge is AUD 6,135 for the main applicant, AUD 3,070 for each additional adult and AUD 1,540 for each child, as per available Home Affairs pricing data. Skills assessment, English test, medicals and police certificates cost extra, and the charge is not refunded if refused.

Which is better, visa 189 or 190?

The 189 is more flexible because you can live anywhere in Australia and need no nomination. The 190 gives 5 extra points and is often the realistic route at 65 to 80 points, but you must be nominated by a state and commit to live there. Many applicants lodge expressions of interest for both and accept whichever invitation arrives first.

What is the difference between a 189 and 190 visa?

Both are permanent points-tested visas. The 189 is invited directly by Home Affairs with no sponsor. The 190 needs a state or territory nomination, which adds 5 points, and you commit to live in that state for at least 2 years. The occupation lists, invitation rounds and fees are also slightly different.

What is a 190 visa in Australia?

The subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa is a permanent visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory. You need a positive skills assessment, competent English, at least 65 points including the 5 nomination points, and you must be under 45 when invited. Each state runs its own selection rules.

Which visa is better, 491 or 190?

The 190 is permanent from day one, so it is usually the better outcome. The 491 is a 5-year provisional regional visa that gives 15 points and can lead to PR through the 191 visa after 3 years of regional living and income. In 2026 several states have cut or closed 491 places, so check availability first.

Is 75 points enough for 190?

For many occupations, yes, but it depends on the state. 75 points including the 5 nomination points can be competitive for healthcare, teaching and trades in states that are open. For popular IT and business roles, states such as NSW have historically invited at 90 points or higher, so 75 may not be enough there.

Is 80 points enough for 189 visa?

80 points is enough for many healthcare, teaching, trade and some engineering occupations based on recent rounds. It is often not enough for software engineers, ICT business analysts or accountants, which have needed 90 to 100 points or were not invited at all. Check your own occupation's recent cut-off before deciding.

How do I apply for an Australian skilled independent visa subclass 189?

Get a positive skills assessment, take an English test, calculate your points and lodge an expression of interest in SkillSelect. If invited, you have 60 days to lodge the online visa application in ImmiAccount with documents, pay the charge, then complete health checks and police certificates when requested.

What are the subclass 189 English requirements?

The minimum is competent English, which is IELTS 6 in each band or an equivalent score in PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET or Cambridge. Competent English gives zero points. Proficient English adds 10 points and superior English adds 20, which is often the single biggest boost for applicants stuck at 65 to 75 points.

What is the 190 visa processing time?

As at early October 2026, Home Affairs reported that 50 percent of recent 190 applications were decided in about 4 months and 90 percent in about 16 months. Healthcare, teaching and construction applicants receive priority under Ministerial Direction 122, so their wait is often shorter. Check the official tool before lodging.

What are the 190 visa conditions after grant?

After a 190 grant you can live and work in Australia permanently, but you commit to live in the nominating state or territory for at least 2 years. It is not a numbered visa condition, yet states monitor it and moving early without good reason can create problems. Keep the state informed of your address.

How much does the 190 visa cost?

From 1 July 2026 the 190 visa charge for the main applicant is AUD 6,140, with extra charges for each family member. Some states also charge a nomination fee; for example Victoria lists AUD 198 per nomination application for 2026-27. Add skills assessment, English test, medical and police certificate costs to your budget.

Where can I find the 189 visa occupation list?

For the 189 visa, your occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List, published on the Home Affairs skilled occupation list page. For the 190, the state's own nomination list also applies. Being on the list only makes you eligible; it does not mean your occupation is being invited in rounds.

Can Indians apply for the subclass 189 visa from India?

Yes. You can lodge an expression of interest and apply for the subclass 189 visa from India, and the visa can be granted while you are outside Australia. However, the 2026-27 program favours onshore applicants, so offshore Indian applicants should aim for strong points and an in-demand occupation.

How many points do I need for a 189 visa?

The legal minimum is 65 points, but the real cut-off depends on your occupation and the round. In 2026 trades were invited from about 65 points, healthcare from about 70 to 75, teachers and social workers around 75, and many engineering and science roles needed 80 to 95. Use a points calculator to check your score.

What is the latest 190 visa news for 2026?

The 2026-27 program has 35,500 state nominated places, up from 33,000. NSW opened its 190 program with a first round in the week of 19 October 2026, Victoria opened registrations with 900 190 places, and Queensland had not opened when last checked. A points test redesign is also expected.

Can I submit an EOI for both 189 and 190?

Yes. One expression of interest in SkillSelect can select both the 189 and the 190, and you can also choose states. Many applicants do this to maximise chances. Keep every claim accurate, because once invited, the points are locked to what you claimed and you must prove them in the visa application.

How long do I have to apply after a 189 or 190 invitation?

You have 60 calendar days from the date of invitation to lodge your visa application, and Home Affairs cannot extend this. For example, an invitation dated 15 October 2026 must be lodged by 14 December 2026. Prepare documents before you are invited so you are not rushing.

This guide is general information based on data available on 28 October 2026. Invitation cut-offs, state programs, fees and processing times change often. Confirm current settings on the Home Affairs 190 visa page and the SkillSelect page before you act.