The latest 189 Visa invitation round reveals promising opportunities for skilled South Africans. Discover key insights and next steps for your migration journey.
Australia has conducted another round of invitations under the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) program, with healthcare professionals, teachers, engineers, and social services workers once again dominating invitation activity.
Based on invitation reports received from applicants and migration industry sources, approximately 189 invitations were recorded during the latest round conducted on 4 June 2026.
The Subclass 189 visa remains one of the most attractive permanent residency pathways available because applicants do not require state sponsorship to receive an invitation. Instead, eligible candidates compete in Australia’s SkillSelect system using their points score and occupation demand.
For many skilled professionals considering migration to Australia, these invitation rounds provide valuable insight into which occupations are currently in demand and what points thresholds are being invited.
What Is The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)?
The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is a permanent residency visa designed for skilled workers who meet Australia’s eligibility requirements.
Unlike state-sponsored visas, the 189 visa allows successful applicants to live and work anywhere in Australia without requiring nomination from a state or territory government.
Key benefits of the Subclass 189 visa include:
Permanent residency from day one
Freedom to live anywhere in Australia
Access to Medicare
Pathway to Australian citizenship
Ability to include family members
No state sponsorship obligations
Because of these benefits, competition for invitations remains extremely strong across many occupations.
Quick Snapshot: 4 June 2026 Invitation Round
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) Invitation: Date 4 June 2026
Sectors Invited: Healthcare, Education, Engineering, Legal & Community Services
Lowest Reported Invitation Score: 75 Points
Occupations Invited In The Latest 189 Round
The latest invitation activity showed continued demand across several critical sectors of the Australian economy.
Reported Occupations Invited
Social Worker
Petroleum Engineer
General Practitioner
Registered Nurse (Surgical)
Registered Nurse (Medical)
Medical Laboratory ScientistHealthcare
Secondary School TeacherEducation
Psychologist NEC
Physiotherapist
Solicitor
Healthcare professionals once again accounted for the largest share of reported invitations, highlighting Australia’s continued need for qualified medical and allied health workers.
Social Workers Invited At Just 75 Points
One of the standout results from this round was the invitation activity reported for Social Workers at 75 points.
This is particularly significant because many occupations in recent years have required substantially higher points scores to remain competitive.
Australia continues to face pressure across the community and social services sector, particularly as population growth and mental health demands increase nationally.
For social workers currently sitting in the SkillSelect pool, this may indicate continued opportunity moving forward.
Healthcare Workers Continue To Dominate Skilled Migration Demand
The healthcare sector remains one of Australia’s largest areas of migration demand.
Occupations reported as receiving invitations included:
General Practitioners
Registered Nurses
Physiotherapists
Medical Laboratory Scientists
Psychologists
Australia’s healthcare system continues to experience staffing shortages across both metropolitan and regional areas, particularly as the country manages an ageing population and growing healthcare demands.
For skilled healthcare professionals overseas, Australia remains one of the strongest migration opportunities globally.
Teachers Remain In Demand Across Australia
Secondary School Teachers were also among the occupations reportedly invited during the latest round.
Education remains a long-term priority sector for Australia, with many states continuing to experience shortages in qualified teachers, particularly in specialised subjects and regional communities.
Teachers with strong English ability, recognised qualifications, and relevant experience continue to remain highly competitive within the migration system.
Professional Occupations Still Receiving Invitations
The latest round also demonstrated that opportunities remain available beyond healthcare and trades.
Professional occupations such as:
Solicitors
Psychologists
Engineers
were all represented in reported invitation activity.
While these occupations often require stronger points scores to remain competitive, Australia’s skilled migration program continues to target highly qualified professionals across multiple industries.
What This Means For Skilled Professionals Considering Australia
The June 2026 invitation round reinforces several key migration trends:
Healthcare remains Australia’s strongest migration priority
Teachers and community service professionals continue to receive invitations
Lower invitation scores are still possible in high-demand occupations
Competition remains active across professional sectors
For many applicants, understanding invitation trends can help determine whether additional points strategies may improve their chances of receiving an invitation.
This can include:
Improving English test scores
Completing skills assessments
Partner points
State nomination pathways
Regional migration options
Additional work experience
Thinking About Migrating To Australia?
Australia’s skilled migration system remains highly competitive, but demand for qualified professionals continues across healthcare, education, engineering, construction, and community services.
At New World Immigration, we assist skilled professionals and families with:
Skilled visa assessments
Australian migration pathways
Skills assessments
Permanent residency options
Employer-sponsored visas
State nomination strategies
As invitation rounds continue throughout 2026, many applicants are reviewing their eligibility and positioning themselves more strategically within the SkillSelect system.