Social Worker is a priority processing occupation: since 25 July 2026, applications lodged by people already in Australia in this group are decided ahead of other skilled applications. This affects how quickly a lodged application is processed, not whether you are invited.
Social Worker
Quick answer
What points are Social Workers being invited at?
The most recent 189 round that invited Social Worker EOIs was on 4 June 2026, from 75 points. As at August 2026, 1,408 EOIs for 189 were waiting, including at least 630 at 75 points or more.
Data as at
Latest invitation cut-offs
No federal cut-off. States choose who to nominate. See EOIs by state below.
How Social Worker ranks
Where this occupation sits among all occupations invited for the 189 visa, by the number of EOIs SkillSelect showed as invited after each round.
Where it ranks · subclass 189 · last 2 program years
888 invites in last 2 program years · busiest round 315 · typical round 133
Most consistently invited
invited in 5 of 5 rounds
oldest → newest · filled = invited
Year over year
Round to round · last 2 program years
invites per round
How many Social Worker EOIs are waiting?
SkillSelect EOIs as at August 2026 Official
- 90<20
- 8556
- 80158
- 75416
- 70437
- 65250
- 6046
- 5527
- 50<20
- 45<20
- 40<20
| Visa | Submitted | Invited | Lodged | On hold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 189 Skilled Independent | 1,408 | <20 | 224 | <20 |
| 190 Skilled Nominated | 1,788 | <20 | 133 | 20 |
| 491 State nominated | 1,250 | 0 | 69 | 26 |
| 491 Family sponsored | 64 | 0 | <20 | <20 |
EOIs below the 65-point pass mark cannot be invited. "<20" means fewer than 20. SkillSelect hides small numbers to protect privacy. An EOI can be counted under more than one visa.
Social Worker invitation round history
| Round | Visa | Lowest points invited |
|---|---|---|
| 4 June 2026 | 189 | 75 |
| 13 November 2025 | 189 | 75 |
| 13 November 2025 | 491 family | 85 |
| 21 August 2025 | 189 | 85 |
| 21 August 2025 | 491 family | 80 |
| 7 November 2024 | 189 | 70 |
| 5 September 2024 | 189 | 75 |
| 13 June 2024 | 189 | 85 |
| 18 December 2023 | 189 | 65 |
| 18 December 2023 | 491 family | 70 |
| 8 December 2022 | 189Offshore | 65 |
| 8 December 2022 | 189Onshore | 65 |
| 8 December 2022 | 491 familyOnshore | 80 |
| 6 October 2022 | 189Offshore | 65 |
| 6 October 2022 | 189Onshore | 65 |
| 6 October 2022 | 491 familyOffshore | 75 |
| 6 October 2022 | 491 familyOnshore | 90 |
| 22 August 2022 | 189Offshore | 65 |
| 22 August 2022 | 189Onshore | 65 |
| 22 August 2022 | 491 familyOnshore | 70 |
| 22 August 2022 | 491 familyOffshore | 65 |
| 21 April 2022 | 189 | 85 |
| 21 April 2022 | 491 family | 75 |
| 21 January 2022 | 491 family | 80 |
Which states list Social Worker?
Social Worker is on the official state nomination list for NSW, QLD, WA, TAS, ACT and NT. Being listed doesn't guarantee an invitation, and a state may be closed. EOI counts are submitted 190 and 491 EOIs as at August 2026.
| State | Program | On state list | 190 EOIs | 491 EOIs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Closed | 190 & 491NSW Skills List · NSW Regional Skills List | 607 | 349 |
| VIC | Check official site | No state list | 508 | 218 |
| QLD | Closed | 491Living in the state | 196 | 151 |
| WA | Check official site | 190 & 491General - WASMOL Schedule 1 · General - WASMOL Schedule 2 · Graduate — from 65 points | 316 | 378 |
| SA | Not open yet | Not listed | 173 | 142 |
| TAS | Open | 190 & 491Health, allied health and teaching (gold priority) · Tasmanian Skilled Employment priority roles — Living in the state | 82 | 78 |
| ACT | Not open yet | 190 & 491 | 97 | 89 |
| NT | Open | 491Offshore priority occupation — Living overseas | 88 | 78 |
State lists and statuses come from each state's official migration website, checked 17 September 2026. General information only, not migration advice.
Frequently asked questions
How many points do I need for Social Worker (272511)?
The most recent 189 round to invite Social Worker (4 June 2026) started at 75 points. Cut-offs change every round, so check the round history on this page. The minimum to submit an EOI is 65 points.
Which visas can Social Worker use?
On the current skilled occupation list, Social Worker can be nominated for subclass 189, 190 and 491 (CSOL, MLTSSL).
Who assesses Social Worker?
Skills assessments for Social Worker are done by AASW.
Which states nominate Social Worker?
As last checked, Social Worker is on the official 190/491 occupation lists of NSW, QLD, WA, TAS, ACT and NT. States set their own criteria and some may be closed, so check the state pages linked on this page.
How many people are in the queue for Social Worker?
As at August 2026, SkillSelect showed 1,408 submitted EOIs for Social Worker under subclass 189.
Sources: Home Affairs invitation rounds · SkillSelect EOI data · How we use this data