Australia's Invitation Rounds for Skilled Visas: Minimum Points Revealed
Discover the minimum points scores required for various occupations in the September 2024 Australian skilled visa round. Stay updated on migration requirements.
Australia runs periodic invitation rounds to manage applications for key visa subclasses, namely the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored. These rounds are conducted throughout the program year, and the number of invitations issued in each round may vary depending on the current backlog of applications.
While the invitation rounds are a core part of managing visa applications, state and territory government nominations for skilled visas operate independently of the Department of Home Affairs' invitation rounds.
Understanding Invitation Rounds
The purpose of invitation rounds is to select the highest-ranked applicants based on their points score under the SkillSelect system. Applicants with higher scores are prioritized over those with lower points. In the event of a tie between applicants with the same points, the 'date of effect'—which indicates when an applicant achieved their score—serves as a tie-breaker. This ensures fairness by inviting those who attained their score earlier.
Occupation Ceilings: Ensuring Balance
Australia uses occupation ceilings to cap the number of invitations issued for certain occupations. This measure ensures that the country maintains a balanced and diverse migration program. These ceilings prevent an over-concentration of migrants in specific occupations, aligning with government priorities and the needs of the labor market.
However, it's important to note that occupation ceilings do not apply to visa subclasses like the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) – State and Territory Nominated. For these visas, state and territory governments play a more active role in nominations, which do not follow the same ceilings as federal-level invitations.
Current Round – September 2024 Highlights
In the September 2024 invitation round, a total of 7,973 invitations were issued for the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189). However, no invitations were issued for the Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored in this round.
The tie-break date for this round was September 2022, meaning only those who achieved their points score by that date were invited.
Minimum Scores and Occupations
Here is the full table of minimum points scores required for various occupations in the September 2024 invitation round for the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189):
| Occupation | Minimum Points Score |
|---|---|
| Accountant (General) | 95 |
| Actuary | 90 |
| Aeronautical Engineer | 90 |
| Agricultural Consultant | 95 |
| Agricultural Engineer | 95 |
| Agricultural Scientist | 95 |
| Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber | 65 |
| Analyst Programmer | 90 |
| Architect | 75 |
| Audiologist | 75 |
| Biochemist | 95 |
| Biomedical Engineer | 90 |
| Biotechnologist | 90 |
| Bricklayer | 65 |
| Cabinetmaker | 65 |
| Cardiologist | 80 |
| Cardiothoracic Surgeon | 85 |
| Carpenter | 65 |
| Carpenter and Joiner | 65 |
| Chef | 90 |
| Chemical Engineer | 90 |
| Chemist | 90 |
| Child Care Centre Manager | 80 |
| Chiropractor | 80 |
| Civil Engineer | 90 |
| Civil Engineering Draftsperson | 75 |
| Civil Engineering Technician | 75 |
| Clinical Psychologist | 85 |
| Computer Network and Systems Engineer | 100 |
| Construction Project Manager | 75 |
| Developer Programmer | 100 |
| Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist | 80 |
| Diesel Motor Mechanic | 90 |
| Drainer | 65 |
| Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher | 75 |
| Economist | 90 |
| Electrical Engineer | 90 |
| Electrician (General) | 65 |
| Electrician (Special Class) | 70 |
| Electronics Engineer | 90 |
| Emergency Medicine Specialist | 80 |
| Engineering Manager | 95 |
| Engineering Professionals nec | 90 |
| Engineering Technologist | 90 |
| Environmental Consultant | 90 |
| Environmental Engineer | 95 |
| Environmental Manager | 95 |
| Environmental Research Scientist | 95 |
| External Auditor | 90 |
| Fibrous Plasterer | 65 |
| Food Technologist | 90 |
| Gasfitter | 65 |
| Gastroenterologist | 85 |
| General Practitioner | 75 |
| Geophysicist | 100 |
| Geotechnical Engineer | 75 |
| Glazier | 65 |
| ICT Business Analyst | 95 |
| ICT Security Specialist | 95 |
| Industrial Engineer | 90 |
| Intensive Care Specialist | 80 |
| Internal Auditor | 95 |
| Joiner | 65 |
| Landscape Architect | 75 |
| Life Scientist (General) | 90 |
| Life Scientists nec | 95 |
| Lift Mechanic | 65 |
| Management Accountant | 95 |
| Management Consultant | 90 |
| Marine Biologist | 95 |
| Materials Engineer | 90 |
| Mechanical Engineer | 90 |
| Medical Diagnostic Radiographer | 75 |
| Medical Laboratory Scientist | 75 |
| Medical Practitioners nec | 75 |
| Metal Fabricator | 75 |
| Microbiologist | 90 |
| Midwife | 75 |
| Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum) | 105 |
| Motor Mechanic (General) | 90 |
| Multimedia Specialist | 90 |
| Naval Architect | 95 |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist | 80 |
| Nurse Practitioner | 85 |
| Nursing Clinical Director | 115 |
| Obstetrician and Gynaecologist | 90 |
| Occupational Therapist | 75 |
| Ophthalmologist | 85 |
| Optometrist | 80 |
| Orthotist or Prosthetist | 80 |
| Other Spatial Scientist | 100 |
| Paediatrician | 80 |
| Painting Trades Worker | 65 |
| Pathologist | 85 |
| Petroleum Engineer | 95 |
| Physicist | 95 |
| Physiotherapist | 75 |
| Plumber (General) | 65 |
| Podiatrist | 80 |
| Primary Health Organisation Manager | 95 |
| Production or Plant Engineer | 90 |
| Psychiatrist | 80 |
| Psychologists nec | 80 |
| Quantity Surveyor | 75 |
| Registered Nurse (Aged Care) | 75 |
| Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) | 80 |
| Registered Nurse (Community Health) | 80 |
| Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) | 75 |
| Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation) | 75 |
| Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) | 75 |
| Registered Nurse (Medical) | 75 |
| Registered Nurse (Mental Health) | 75 |
| Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) | 80 |
| Registered Nurse (Perioperative) | 75 |
| Registered Nurse (Surgical) | 75 |
| Registered Nurses nec | 75 |
| Roof Plumber | 65 |
| Secondary School Teacher | 75 |
| Sheetmetal Trades Worker | 75 |
| Shipwright | 105 |
| Social Worker | 75 |
| Software and Applications Programmers nec | 90 |
| Software Engineer | 100 |
| Solicitor | 90 |
| Solid Plasterer | 65 |
| Sonographer | 80 |
| Special Education Teachers nec | 80 |
| Special Needs Teacher | 80 |
| Specialist Physician (General Medicine) | 80 |
| Specialist Physicians nec | 80 |
| Speech Pathologist | 80 |
| Statistician | 90 |
| Stonemason | 70 |
| Structural Engineer | 75 |
| Surgeon (General) | 80 |
| Surveyor | 95 |
| Systems Analyst | 95 |
| Taxation Accountant | 90 |
| Telecommunications Engineer | 90 |
| Telecommunications Field Engineer | 95 |
| Telecommunications Network Engineer | 90 |
| Transport Engineer | 75 |
| University Lecturer | 90 |
| Urologist | 80 |
| Valuer | 95 |
| Veterinarian | 95 |
| Wall and Floor Tiler | 65 |
| Welder (First Class) | 75 |
| Zoologist | 90 |
This table outlines the competitive nature of the migration system, reflecting varying minimum scores across different industries.
This detailed breakdown reflects the competitive nature of Australia’s migration system, especially for high-demand occupations like engineering, health, and IT. While some trades, like bricklayers, received invitations with just 65 points, highly skilled professions like Software Engineers required significantly higher scores.
State and Territory Nominations: An Alternative Pathway
For those who do not receive invitations through federal invitation rounds, state and territory nominations present an alternative. Each state and territory in Australia has its own Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491) allocations, allowing them to nominate individuals based on local labor market needs.
Previous Rounds: A Look Back at 2023-24
During the 2023-24 program year, invitation activity was sporadic. After several months with no invitations, 8,300 invitations were issued in December 2023, followed by 5,292 invitations in June 2024. These figures do not include state and territory nominations, which are issued continuously throughout the year.
The Road Ahead
For applicants aspiring to migrate to Australia under skilled visa programs, staying informed about invitation rounds and occupation ceilings is crucial. The highly competitive nature of the program means that only the most qualified individuals, based on points scores and the timing of their Expression of Interest (EOI), will receive invitations.
In summary, Australia's skilled migration program remains one of the most sought-after in the world. Whether you're aiming for a federal invitation or state nomination, understanding the nuances of the invitation rounds, points system, and occupation ceilings is key to maximizing your chances of success.
What's Your Reaction?
