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15 October 189 Round: Applicants Report Invitations from 65 to 100 Points as Official Results Remain Pending

Home Affairs confirmed the Skilled Independent round would be held on 15 October 2026 but has not yet published its results. Self-reported invitations collected from applicants and internet sources span 65 to 100 points, with several construction trades reportedly invited at the minimum and some civil engineering occupations apparently passed over.

Victoria Publishes State Nomination Points Test for 2026-27

Live in Melbourne's 13 October notice sets a Registration of Interest fee and a nomination fee, and publishes the Victorian Points Test that will rank subclass 190 and 491 registrations. There is no pass mark, earlier registrations do not carry over, and the program is not open.

SkillSelect Invitation Round Moves to 15 October in Home Affairs Page Update

The Department of Home Affairs has replaced the 30 October date on its SkillSelect invitation-rounds page with 15 October, in a refresh stamped 9 October 2026.

Coalition Would Cut 650,000 Temporary Visas and End Most Graduate Pathways

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor calls the plan the biggest cut to immigration in the country's history and sets a net overseas migration target of 100,000 for two years, going further than Labor while adding skilled places.

Tighter Onshore Lodgement and Family-Member Rules Take Effect for Student Visa Applicants

From 2 October 2026, most temporary visa holders in Australia can no longer apply for a Student or Student Guardian visa onshore, and student visa applicants have largely lost the right to include dependants.

Department Reschedules 189 Invitation Round from 30 September to 30 October

The Department of Home Affairs has moved the next Skilled Independent visa invitation round back by one month on its SkillSelect previous-rounds page, with no reason published.

Expert Warns Burke's Visa Crackdown Could Trap Domestic Violence Victims in Unsafe Homes

A criminologist says the government's plan to crack down on visa overstayers hands perpetrators a new tool to control migrant women, citing research that only 22 per cent of temporary visa holders understand their own status.

Burke's Migration Soft Landing Leaves Top End Growers Short for Harvest

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has set net overseas migration targets of 245,000 this financial year and 225,000 in 2027–28. Regional growers say working holiday visa restrictions will leave harvests short of labour.

189 EOI Pool Grew by 5,401 in August 2026, Hitting 180,651 Submitted

The SkillSelect EOI pool for subclass 189 visas added 5,401 submitted expressions of interest in August 2026, pushing the total to 180,651. Over twelve months the pool has expanded by 40,992 — a 29.4 per cent increase.

Labor Says Its Migration Changes Will Deliver a 'Soft Landing' on the Economy — but Regional Growers Are Not Convinced

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has unveiled a reform package designed to cut net overseas migration to 245,000 this financial year, while northern horticulture producers warn the changes will leave seasonal fruit unpicked.

Tony Burke Unveils Major Migration Changes to Tighten Australia's Visa System

Home Affairs Minister outlined a suite of reforms at the National Press Club, targeting visa-hopping, overstayers and rogue agents, while pledging to prioritise construction, healthcare and education workers.

Burke Delays Migration Overhaul Speech as Cabinet Questions Linger

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has postponed a National Press Club appearance that was expected to lay out sweeping changes to Australia's migration system. The delay comes as the SkillSelect EOI pool continues to swell, with more than 180,000 Expressions of Interest lodged in the 189 visa stream alone.

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