Find out the minimum points needed for different jobs in the Australian skilled visa round that begins in September 2024. Keep abreast of the prerequisites for migration.

In order to handle applications for the two main subclasses of visas—the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491)—Australia periodically holds invitation rounds. These rounds take place all during the program year, and based on the current backlog of applications, different numbers of invites may be sent out in each round.

State and territory government nominations for skilled visas function independently of the Department of Home Affairs’ invitation rounds, despite the invitation rounds being an essential component in processing visa applications.

Comprehending Invitation Rounds

The invite rounds are used to choose the top candidates according to the Skill Select system’s point system. Candidates who score higher are given preference over those who score lower. The “date of effect,” which shows when an application reached their score, acts as a tie-breaker in the case that two applicants with the same number of points are tied. By inviting those who achieved their score sooner, this ensures fairness.

Occupation Ceilings: Maintaining Equilibrium

Australia sets a ceiling on the number of invites it will send out for particular occupations. This action guarantees that the nation will continue to have a varied and well-balanced immigration program. These ceilings match with government aims and the demands of the labor market by preventing an over-concentration of migrants in particular occupations.

It’s crucial to remember that certain visa subclasses, such as the State and Territory Nominated Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491), are exempt from occupation ceilings. State and territory governments are more involved in the nomination process for these visas, and they are not subject to the same restrictions as invitations from the federal level.

Highlights of the Current Round for September 2024

A total of 7,973 invitations were sent out for the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) in the September 2024 invitation round. On the other hand, no invites were sent out in this round for the Family Sponsored Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491).

For this round, only participants who reached their point total by September 2022—the tie-break date—were invited.

Minimum GPAs and Career Paths

The complete table of minimal points needed for different jobs in the September 2024 invitation round for the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) may be found here:

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 illustrates how competitive the migration system is, with different industries having varied minimum scores.

This thorough analysis highlights how competitive Australia’s immigration system is, particularly for highly sought-after professions like IT, engineering, and healthcare. High-skilled occupations like software engineers needed far higher scores, while some trades, like bricklayers, were invited with just 65 points.

Nominations by States and Territories: An Alternative Route

State and territory nominations offer an alternative for individuals who are not invited through federal invitation rounds. With regard to the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491), each Australian state and territory is able to designate people in accordance with the demands of the local labor market.

The table below shows how many EOIs were nominated by state and territory administrations between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025:

Visa Subclass	ACT	NSW	NT	Qld	SA	Tas	Vic	WA
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)	56	21	41	<5	112	186	64	49
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)	31	22	48	<5	27	57	70	21

Previous Iterations: A Review of 2023–2024

The 2023–24 program year saw a patchy invitation activity. Following a few months without any invitations, 8,300 were sent out in December 2023, and 5,292 in June 2024. State and territorial nominations, which are released continuously throughout the year, are not included in these numbers.

The Path Ahead
Applicants hoping to travel to Australia under skilled visa programs must keep themselves updated on occupation ceilings and invitation rounds. Due to the program’s intense competition, invitations will only be extended to the most qualified candidates, as determined by point totals and the submission date of their Expression of Interest (EOI).

In conclusion, Australia continues to have one of the most sought-after skilled migration programs worldwide. To increase your chances of success, it’s important to comprehend the subtleties of the invitation rounds, points system, and occupation ceilings, regardless of whether you’re striving for a federal invitation or a state nomination.