SkillSelect Invitation Round Results: July 2026
Published: 24 July 2026 | Source: Department of Home Affairs: SkillSelect Invitation Rounds
The Department of Home Affairs conducted a SkillSelect invitation round in July 2026. Invitations were issued for the Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) and Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional: Family Sponsored) visas. The Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) visa is managed separately by state and territory governments and is not included in this round summary.
Subclass 189: Skilled Independent
The July 2026 invitation round issued invitations to subclass 189 candidates with occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). The minimum points score required to receive an invitation varied by occupation. Historical data from this and prior rounds indicates the following general benchmarks (not guaranteed for future rounds):
| Occupation | ANZSCO | Subclass 189 Cutoff (historical) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | 254411 | 65 pts (high demand, lower threshold) |
| Software Engineer | 261313 | 90–100 pts |
| Accountant | 221111 | 100+ pts |
| Civil Engineer | 233211 | 85–90 pts |
| General Practitioner | 253111 | 65 pts (priority healthcare) |
Subclass 491: Family Sponsored Stream
The 491 Family Sponsored stream invitations were also issued in this round. Eligible candidates must have a relative who is a settled Australian citizen or permanent resident living in a designated regional area. The minimum score for the 491 family sponsored stream is 65 points, however competitive candidates typically hold 70–80 points when accounting for the 15-point regional sponsorship bonus.
What This Means for Your EOI
If you are currently in the SkillSelect pool and your occupation was invited in this round but you did not receive an invitation, your score is likely below the cutoff for your specific occupation. Options to improve your position include:
- Adding points through NAATI CCL (5 points) if you speak a community language
- Completing a Professional Year program in accounting, IT, or engineering (5 points)
- Pursuing state or territory nomination for a Subclass 190 (+5 points) or 491 (+15 points)
- Waiting for your age band to remain competitive (30–32 is still optimal range)
Use the Australian PR Points Calculator to see your current score and identify which categories offer the highest return for effort.