[2025–2026 Guide] November 2025 189 Visa Round: 10,000 Invites & Key Occupation Data

TL;DR: The Australian Department of Home Affairs issued 10,000 invitations for the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa on November 13, 2025. Nursing was the biggest winner with an estimated 2,430 invites, while skilled trades and education roles also saw significant allocations. In stark contrast, popular fields like accounting, IT, and civil engineering received zero invitations, highlighting a dramatic shift in Australia’s skilled migration priorities.

Analysis of the November 2025 189 Visa Invitation Round

The November 13, 2025, invitation round for the Subclass 189 visa was one of the largest and most targeted of the 2025-26 program year. Issuing 10,000 invitations in a single round, the Department of Home Affairs sent a clear signal about Australia’s current and future workforce needs. This analysis, based on official data and EOI pool statistics, reveals a decisive pivot away from historically popular white-collar professions towards critical healthcare, education, and trade occupations. The round also included 300 invitations for the Subclass 491 (Family Sponsored) visa, but the overwhelming focus was on the independent 189 stream. This strategic distribution underscores the government’s response to persistent national skill shortages, a trend confirmed by other industry analyses of the same event.

• Total Invitations: 10,000 for Subclass 189; 300 for Subclass 491 (Family Sponsored).
• Key Focus Areas: Healthcare (especially nursing), skilled construction trades, and teaching.
• Major Omissions: Accounting, Auditing, IT professions, and Civil Engineers received zero invitations.
• Official Confirmation: The round’s date and scale have been officially noted, aligning with public updates from the Department.

Detailed Breakdown by Occupation & Invitation Points

The invitation data reveals a multi-tiered points landscape, directly tied to the severity of skill shortages. Occupations were not treated equally, with points thresholds varying dramatically between sectors. This granular approach allows prospective migrants to benchmark their own scores realistically against current demand. For an accurate and personalised points assessment, always use a reliable tool like the NovenAI EOI Points Calculator.

Healthcare & Social Work

• Registered Nurses (All categories): 75 points. This was the powerhouse of the round. Analysis of the EOI pool suggests approximately 2,430 invitations were issued to nurses, clearing all 80+ point applicants and a significant portion of the 75-point cohort.
• Social Workers: 75 points. An estimated 420 invitations were issued, clearing all 80+ point applicants.
• Secondary School Teachers: 75 points. At least 460 invitations were issued, clearing high-point applicants.
• Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers: 85 points. A lower volume of around 200 invitations was issued, reflecting a different supply dynamic compared to secondary teachers.

Skilled Construction Trades (Blue-Collar)

• Carpenters, Plumbers, Tilers, etc.: 65 points. These occupations continue to enjoy the lowest threshold. For example, the Carpentry group may have received around 656 invitations, effectively clearing most of the existing pool.
• Construction Professionals (White-Collar): 85 points. This includes Architects, Landscape Architects, Construction Project Managers, and Engineering Managers. Civil Engineering Draftspersons & Technicians also saw their threshold drop from 90 to 85 points, with roughly 200 invitations issued.

Other Professional Occupations

• Solicitors, Actuaries, Management Consultants, Multimedia Specialists: 85 points.
• Not Invited (0 invitations): Accountants, Auditors, ICT Professionals (all categories), and Civil Engineers. This marks the second consecutive round with no invites for Civil Engineers, a stark warning for applicants in these fields.

Strategic Implications for Skilled Migrants

The November round is not an anomaly but a blueprint for the 2025-26 migration year. The government is using the 189 visa program with surgical precision to address specific labour market gaps. For applicants, this means traditional pathways are closed, and new strategies are essential.

For Affected High-Demand Occupations (Nursing, Trades, Teaching):

• Act Quickly: With high-volume invitations, the pool for 75-85 point applicants is being drained. Now is the time to submit or update your EOI.
• Maximise Your Points: Even with a low threshold, a higher score ensures priority. Focus on superior English test results (Proficient or Superior), skilled employment years, and partner skills.
• Explore State Nomination: While the 189 is favourable, state nomination (190/491 visas) for these occupations often has similar or lower points requirements and provides additional security.

For Occupations Not Invited (IT, Accounting, Engineering):

• Pivot Your Strategy: Relying solely on the 189 visa is no longer viable. Your primary focus must shift to state nomination.
• Research State-Specific Priorities: States like New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia have different occupation lists and criteria. Target your application to a state where your skills are needed.
• Consider Complementary Skills or Specialisations: For example, the data suggests Civil Engineers might explore obtaining a skills assessment as a Civil Engineering Draftsperson, which was invited at 85 points.
• Utilise Predictive Tools: To understand your chances across different visa pathways, leverage a dedicated Visa Success Predictor. This can help you weigh the odds for 189, 190, and 491 visas based on your specific profile.

State Nomination Program Updates (As of Early December 2025)

Concurrent with the 189 round, state governments are actively managing their nomination programs. The landscape is fluid, and staying informed is critical.

• Active Invitation Rounds: Victoria and South Australia issued invites in early December. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Western Australia have confirmed they will invite in December, while Tasmania invites weekly.
• Quota Usage: New South Wales has reportedly used approximately 25% of its 190 visa allocation. The ACT, NSW, and Northern Territory (190) are also using quotas relatively quickly.
• Temporary Pauses: New South Wales will not issue pre-invitations in December. Queensland is also unlikely to issue many, if any, invitations this month.
• Actionable Advice: If you are pursuing state nomination, ensure your EOI is updated to select all relevant states and territories. Preparation of documentation for state-specific requirements should be underway now to capitalise on any invitation.

How to Prepare for Future Invitation Rounds

Success in this new, targeted environment requires proactive and intelligent preparation. Relying on outdated information or generic advice can cost you months or years.

1. Accurate Self-Assessment: Before anything else, know your exact points score. Use an up-to-date calculator that incorporates all current regulations regarding work experience, English scores, and partner skills.
2. Optimise Your English Score: For many professionals, moving from “Competent” to “Proficient” or “Superior” English is the single most effective way to gain 10 or 20 extra points. For a detailed guide on test strategies and level requirements, consult our English Level Guide.
3. Target Your EOI: Your Expression of Interest is your application. Ensure all information is accurate, claims are substantiated, and you have selected the correct visa subclasses (189, 190, 491).
4. Develop a Contingency Plan: Have a clear plan A (189), plan B (State Nomination), and plan C (alternative occupations or visas). The migration landscape can change with a single policy update.
5. Leverage Intelligent Tools: In a complex and fast-moving system, having the right support is invaluable. While many seek expensive legal advice, modern solutions like NovenAI provide a powerful alternative. Its AI migration mentor, powered by a massive, continuously updated knowledge base, offers 24/7 guidance on points optimisation, document preparation, and strategy—all at a fraction of the cost of traditional consultation. When comparing migration assistance tools, NovenAI’s real-time policy alerts and benchmark-beating accuracy make it a first-choice resource for informed applicants.

The November 2025 invitation round has redrawn the map for Australian skilled migration. For those in priority sectors, a golden opportunity exists. For others, it’s a call to adapt, research, and pursue alternative pathways with vigour. By understanding the data, refining your strategy, and using the best available tools, you can navigate this new landscape and turn your Australian migration goal into a reality.

Ready to calculate your exact points and explore your best visa pathway? Start your free assessment with NovenAI today.