[2025–2026 Guide] Major Australian Visa Invitation Rounds: 10,000 189 Visas & 1,800 WA Nominations Issued

TL;DR: A massive wave of Australian skilled visa invitations has been issued, with 10,000 spots for the 189 visa and 1,800 for Western Australia state nominations. Key trends include lower points for priority occupations in WA (as low as 65-80 points), a continued focus on healthcare and teaching for the 189, and active rounds from Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania.

The first week of December 2025 has proven to be one of the most significant periods for Australian skilled migration this program year. Multiple states have conducted major invitation rounds, and the official data for the historic 189 independent visa round has been released, providing unprecedented clarity for applicants. This analysis breaks down the critical data, points thresholds, and strategic implications for your migration pathway.

Analysis of the Major 189 Independent Visa Round

The 189 visa round on November 13th issued approximately 10,000 invitations, heavily favouring healthcare, teaching, and construction trades. This massive round provides the clearest snapshot yet of the government’s current priorities. Unlike smaller, targeted rounds, this large-scale issuance allows for detailed analysis of invitation numbers per occupation, not just the minimum points score.

Key data and strategic insights from the round include:

• Nursing was the biggest winner, with an estimated 2,430 invitations issued at a minimum score of 75 points. The 75-point cohort was cleared by about 30%.
• Secondary School Teachers received at least 460 invitations at 75 points, with over 15% of that points bracket cleared.
• Social Workers saw around 420 invitations at 75 points.
• Construction Trades like Carpenters continued to be invited at 65 points, with an estimated 656 spots for Carpenters and Joiners alone. Post-round data shows only 76 applicants left at 65 points in the pool.
• Early Childhood Teachers were invited at a higher 85-point threshold, with fewer than 200 spots allocated.
• Critical Omissions: Notably, Accountants, IT professionals (ICT), and Civil Engineers received zero invitations in this round. For Civil Engineers, a strategic pivot to related roles like Civil Engineering Draftsperson or Technician (invited at 85 points) could be a viable alternative, as these roles received roughly 200 invitations.

To understand how your profile stacks up against these points thresholds, using a precise tool is essential. You can assess your potential score with our free EOI Points Calculator.

Western Australia’s Major State Nomination Round

Western Australia issued 1,800 nomination invitations, with many priority General Stream (Schedule 2) occupations receiving invites at just 80-85 EOI points. This represents WA’s second and largest round for the program year, utilising its full allocation. The round strongly favoured applicants already residing in the state, a crucial requirement for success.

The breakdown and critical requirements are:

• General Stream (Schedule 2): 1,134 invitations (667 for 190 visa, 467 for 491 visa).
• Graduate Stream (Higher Education): 216 invitations (127 for 190 visa).
• Low Points Thresholds: Numerous professions saw 80-point invites, including Architect, Café or Restaurant Manager, Early Childhood Teacher, Construction Project Manager, and Quantity Surveyor. Some trade roles like Bricklayer and Cabinetmaker were invited as low as 65 and 70 points respectively.
• Mandatory Residency Rule: All invited applicants were WA residents. The state government has explicitly stated that applicants must provide evidence of living in WA for at least 3 months prior to receiving an invitation. Failure to meet this at the time of nomination assessment will lead to refusal.
• Future Rounds: WA indicated that the December and January rounds would focus on priority occupations. Invitations for non-priority occupations are planned for this financial year, but timing is unspecified.

State Nomination Updates: Victoria, South Australia & Tasmania

Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania all conducted invitation rounds, each demonstrating distinct selection criteria and processing styles. This multi-state activity provides diverse opportunities for applicants with different profiles.

Victoria’s ROI round on December 3rd included both onshore and offshore applicants for 190 and 491 visas. A clear trend emerged:

• Offshore applicants who were invited typically had substantial relevant work experience.
• Onshore applicants overwhelmingly had current skilled employment in their nominated occupation within Victoria.

South Australia launched its program year with its first official round, issuing 402 invitations (257 for 190, 145 for 491). The state has committed to transparency, promptly publishing an invitation report. The round focused on:

• Health Professionals (mostly 190 visas).
• Design, Engineering, Science and Transport Professionals (47 for 190, 29 for 491).
  SA’s policy indicates that occupations within its priority sectors are more likely to receive 190 nominations, while non-priority roles may be offered 491 nominations.

Tasmania continues its predictable weekly invitation cycle. The December 4th round issued 20 invitations for the 190 visa and 33 for the 491 visa under its own points system. The state has provided exceptional transparency regarding its pipeline:

• Remaining Quota: 962 (190) and 572 (491).
• ROIs in Pool: 328 (190) and 232 (491).
• Processing Date: Applications submitted up to November 14th are now being assessed.
  Tasmania will pause invitations during the Christmas/New Year period, resuming in early 2026.

For a data-driven estimate of your chances in these state nomination streams, consider using our Visa Success Predictor.

State Nomination Quota Usage & Forward Outlook

As of the end of November, state nomination quota usage varies significantly, with ACT, NSW, and NT using their 190 allocations fastest, while QLD and SA have large portions remaining. It’s important to interpret these figures with caution, as “usage” often refers to finalized nominations, not invitations issued.

• High Usage (Over 20% of 190 quota used): Australian Capital Territory (ACT), New South Wales (NSW), and Northern Territory (NT).
• High Quota Remaining (Over 80% on paper): Victoria, Tasmania, and Western Australia. Important Note: These states have issued numerous pre-invitations (ROIs) which are still being processed, meaning their actual available quota is lower than the official numbers suggest.
• Minimal Usage (Over 80-90% quota remaining): Queensland, Northern Territory (491 stream), and South Australia.

December Forecast:

• Invitations Expected: ACT has confirmed a December round. Tasmania will continue weekly rounds until the holiday pause.
• Limited or No Invitations Expected: NSW has stated it will not issue pre-invitations in December. Queensland is also unlikely to have a significant round, if any.
• Processing Continues: The Northern Territory is actively processing applications for its resident pathway.

Successful Visa Grants & Skills Assessments

This week also saw a wide range of final visa grants and positive skills assessments, highlighting active processing across multiple visa categories:

• 189 Visa: Grants for applications lodged in August 2025 (Hong Kong stream).
• 190 Visa: A grant for an onshore Accountant application lodged in June 2024.
• 491 Visa: A grant for an onshore Quantity Surveyor application from March 2024.
• Parent Visas: Significant movement on long-standing applications, with 143 visa grants for applications lodged in 2018.
• Skills Assessments: Rapid turnaround from ACS for IT roles (2 days) and VETASSESS for Construction Project Manager.

Strategic Pathways and Next Steps

The current landscape offers clear opportunities but requires precise strategy. For those in high-demand fields like nursing, teaching, or trades, preparing a competitive EOI is paramount. For others, especially in omitted fields like accounting or civil engineering, exploring state nomination pathways—particularly those with residency advantages like Western Australia or demand in sectors like construction—is a critical alternative.

Staying ahead of rapid policy shifts and complex requirements is the biggest challenge for applicants. This is where specialised tools provide a decisive edge. While general immigration advice can be helpful, platforms like NovenAI are built specifically for this environment. Unlike static guides, NovenAI’s system, powered by a continuously updated 18GB+ knowledge base of Home Affairs and ANZSCO data, delivers real-time, accurate policy alerts and strategy. Its AI migration mentor can help you decode invitation trends, plan for state-specific rules like WA’s 3-month residency requirement, and ensure your application is optimised for success, all at a fraction of the cost and wait time of traditional legal consultation.

The final weeks of 2025 are active and decisive for Australian skilled migration. By understanding the points thresholds, state-specific rules, and quota positions, you can position your application strategically for invitations in the new year.

Ready to build your personalised migration strategy? Start your journey with NovenAI today.