The latest SkillSelect round brings exciting news. November 7, 2024 saw 15,000 invitations issued for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)—a clear signal of Australia’s push to welcome skilled professionals.
Let’s look at what 2024-25 means for your migration plans. The Department of Home Affairs now offers 16,900 places for skilled independent visas. This number shows a notable shift from last year’s 30,375 places.
Want to know your chances? The September 2024 round set these point requirements:
| Occupation Category | Points Required |
| Construction Trades | 65 points |
| Healthcare Roles | 75-80 points |
| Teaching Positions | 75 points |
| Engineering Fields | 90 points |
| ICT Professionals | 90-100 points |
The September round welcomed 7,973 Expressions of Interest (EOIs), using almost half the yearly quota.
Australia seeks skilled professionals in these key areas:
- Healthcare professionals, including registered nurses and general practitioners
- Information technology specialists
- Construction trade workers
- Engineering professionals
- Education sector workers
Good news for future applicants: changes are coming to the Points Test system, unchanged since 2012. These updates could reshape how skilled visas are awarded.
The bigger picture? Australia’s skilled stream for 2024–25 offers 132,200 places, making up 71% of total migration spots. This shows Australia’s commitment to building its workforce, especially in regional areas where your skills might be needed most.
When Will Be The Next 189 Invitation Round?
You’ve submitted your EOI and now eagerly check your inbox each day. Sound familiar? Let’s decode the timing of these much-awaited invitation rounds.
Monthly rounds are the norm, usually happening in the first or second week. The last round lit up screens on September 5, 2024. While this pattern hints at future dates, several key factors shape each round:
- Current immigration policies and priorities
- Australia’s labor market needs
- Number of eligible candidates in the EOI pool
- Available visa places for the program year
Think of these rounds like waves—sometimes they come as expected, other times they surprise us. The department might skip or delay rounds based on changing needs.
Want to stay ahead of the game? Here’s your action plan:
- Monitor the Department of Home Affairs website regularly
- Keep your EOI updated with current information
- Watch for announcements about program changes
- Track invitation patterns and point scores
The good news? The selection rules stay steady—higher points mean better chances. Take the September 2024 round—each occupation had its own point threshold for success.
While exact dates remain a mystery until announced, monthly rounds are your best planning guide. This flexibility helps Australia match its workforce needs with the right talent.
Numbers tell an interesting story too. The September 2024 round welcomed 7,973 hopeful migrants, up from 5,292 in the previous round.
Here’s the smart approach: Rather than playing the prediction game, focus on making your EOI shine. This way, you’re ready to grab your opportunity whenever the next round rolls out.
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