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.