Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
Your direct pathway to Australian permanent residency without needing employer or state sponsorship
The Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa is a points-tested permanent residence visa that allows skilled workers to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia indefinitely. This invitation-only visa offers the ultimate freedom – no employer or state sponsorship required.
Why Choose the Subclass 189 Visa?
Permanent Residency
Live in Australia indefinitely with full PR rights and Medicare access
Live Anywhere
No state or employer obligations – settle in any Australian city or region
Include Family
Your spouse/partner and dependent children receive PR with you
Work & Study Freedom
Work for any employer, start a business, or study without restrictions
5-Year Travel Facility
Travel in and out of Australia freely for 5 years (renewable)
Path to Citizenship
Eligible for Australian citizenship after 4 years of residency
Eligibility Requirements
Key requirements you must meet to qualify for the 189 visa
Your occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list
Positive skills assessment from relevant assessing authority
Score at least 65 points on the Australian points test
Must be under 45 years at time of invitation
Competent English minimum (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent)
Receive invitation through SkillSelect EOI system
Meet Australian health standards through medical examination
Police clearances and good character from all countries
Points Test Breakdown
Maximize your score to increase your chances of invitation
| Category | Requirement | Maximum Points |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 25-32 years (30 pts) | 18-24 or 33-39 (25 pts) | 40-44 (15 pts) | 30 points |
| English Proficiency | Superior (IELTS 8): 20 pts | Proficient (IELTS 7): 10 pts | Competent (IELTS 6): 0 pts | 20 points |
| Skilled Employment (Overseas) | 8+ years: 15 pts | 5-7 years: 10 pts | 3-4 years: 5 pts | 15 points |
| Skilled Employment (Australia) | 8+ years: 20 pts | 5-7 years: 15 pts | 3-4 years: 10 pts | 1-2 years: 5 pts | 20 points |
| Education Qualification | Doctorate: 20 pts | Bachelor/Masters: 15 pts | Diploma/Trade: 10 pts | 20 points |
| Australian Study | 2+ years full-time Australian study | 5 points |
| Specialist Education | Masters/Doctorate in STEM from Australian institution | 10 points |
| Partner Skills | Partner meets age, English, skills assessment requirements | 10 points |
| Professional Year | Completed in Australia (accounting, IT, engineering) | 5 points |
| Community Language | NAATI accredited translator/interpreter credentials | 5 points |
| Regional Study | 2+ years study in designated regional Australia | 5 points |
How the 189 Visa Process Works
From skills assessment to permanent residency
Skills Assessment
Obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation (e.g., Engineers Australia, ACS for IT, CPA for accountants).
Expression of Interest (EOI)
Submit an EOI through SkillSelect detailing your qualifications, work experience, and English scores. The system calculates your points score automatically.
Wait for Invitation
Your EOI enters the pool with other candidates. The Department of Home Affairs conducts periodic invitation rounds, selecting top-ranking EOIs in each occupation.
Receive Invitation to Apply
If your points score is competitive, you’ll receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). You have 60 days to lodge your visa application from the date of invitation.
Lodge Visa Application
Submit comprehensive visa application with all supporting documents including identity, qualifications, employment evidence, English tests, and pay government visa fee.
Health & Character Checks
Complete medical examinations with panel doctors and provide police clearances from all countries where you’ve lived for 12+ months.
Application Assessment
Department of Home Affairs assesses your application. May request additional information or documents. Processing typically takes 8-12 months.
Visa Grant – Permanent Residency!
Receive your 189 visa grant notification. You and your family become Australian permanent residents with the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia!
Eligible Skilled Occupations
Your occupation must be on the skilled occupation list
🔧 Engineering & Technology
- Civil Engineers
- Mechanical Engineers
- Electrical Engineers
- Software Engineers
- Industrial Engineers
- Chemical Engineers
💻 IT & Computing
- Software Developers
- ICT Business Analysts
- Systems Analysts
- Database Administrators
- Network Professionals
- Cybersecurity Specialists
🏥 Healthcare
- Registered Nurses
- Medical Practitioners
- Dentists
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Pharmacists
💼 Accounting & Finance
- Accountants (General)
- Management Accountants
- Taxation Accountants
- External Auditors
- Financial Analysts
- Actuaries
🎓 Education
- Secondary School Teachers
- Primary School Teachers
- Special Education Teachers
- University Lecturers
- Early Childhood Teachers
🔨 Trades & Construction
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Carpenters
- Bricklayers
- Motor Mechanics
- Metal Fabricators
Required Documents Checklist
Comprehensive documentation needed for your 189 visa application
🆔 Identity Documents
- Valid passport (all pages)
- Birth certificate
- National ID card
- Recent passport photos
- Previous visa grants
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
🎓 Skills Assessment
- Positive skills assessment letter
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Professional qualifications
- Trade licenses (if applicable)
- Professional memberships
💼 Employment Evidence
- Detailed employment references
- Job descriptions and duties
- Employment contracts
- Payslips (all claimed periods)
- Tax returns or group certificates
- Employer contact details
- Organizational charts
🗣️ English Language
- IELTS test results
- PTE Academic scores
- TOEFL iBT results
- OET results
- Cambridge CAE results
- Test must be under 3 years old
📋 EOI & Invitation
- EOI reference number
- Invitation to Apply letter
- Points breakdown evidence
- Date of effect for claims
- Partner skills evidence (if claimed)
🏥 Health Requirements
- Medical examination (Form 26/160)
- Chest x-ray (if required)
- HIV test (if required)
- Health declarations
- Medical history
📋 Character Documents
- Police clearances (all countries)
- Australian Federal Police check
- Military service records
- Court documents (if applicable)
- Character statutory declarations
👨👩👧 Family Member Documents
- Partner’s identity documents
- Marriage/relationship evidence
- Children’s birth certificates
- Dependency evidence
- Family members’ qualifications
- Family health & character documents
Why Choose VisaTasker for Your 189 Visa?
Proven expertise with 100% success rate on Subclass 189 applications
100% Success Rate
Perfect track record for all Subclass 189 visa applications
No Win, No Fee
Only pay visa application fee if your visa is granted
MARA Registered
Registered migration agents (MARN 2318017) with full licensing
Points Maximization
Strategic advice to maximize your points score for invitation
End-to-End Service
From skills assessment to visa grant – complete support
Fast & Efficient
Decision-ready applications to expedite processing
Transparent Pricing
Professional migration services with no win, no fee guarantee
Visa Application Service
No Win, No Fee Guarantee
- Comprehensive eligibility assessment
- Document checklist & review
- Complete visa application preparation
- Form completion & lodgement
- Health & character guidance
- Home Affairs communication
- Case management until decision
- Pay only if visa is granted
Full “Assessment to PR” Package
Complete end-to-end service
- Skills assessment assistance
- EOI preparation & submission
- Points maximization strategy
- Invitation round monitoring
- Complete visa application service
- Document compilation & review
- Ongoing updates & support
- From assessment to PR grant
- No win, no fee on visa stage
Government Fees
Paid to Department of Home Affairs
- Main applicant: $4,910
- Partner/spouse 18+: $2,455
- Dependent child under 18: $1,230
- Additional fees for secondary applicants
- Paid at visa lodgement
- Non-refundable
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does the Subclass 189 visa take to process?
The entire process from skills assessment to visa grant typically takes 12-18 months, though this varies by individual circumstances.
Timeline breakdown:
- Skills Assessment: 2-4 months (varies by assessing authority)
- EOI to Invitation: Varies widely – could be immediate to 12+ months depending on points score and occupation demand
- Visa Processing: 8-12 months after lodgement (current indicative timeframes)
2. What is a competitive points score for invitation?
While 65 points is the minimum eligibility threshold, competitive scores vary significantly by occupation and invitation round.
Recent trends:
- Some occupations receive invitations at 65 points (lower demand occupations)
- Popular occupations (IT, Engineering, Accounting) typically require 75-85+ points
- Healthcare professionals often invited at 70-75 points
- Scores and thresholds change with each invitation round
3. Can I apply for the 189 visa if I’m already in Australia?
Yes! The Subclass 189 visa can be applied for from within Australia or overseas.
Benefits of applying onshore:
- Receive a Bridging Visa A allowing you to stay legally while application is processed
- Continue working if you currently hold work rights
- May already have Australian work experience (worth extra points)
- Easier to complete health examinations and character checks
Important considerations:
- Current visa must not have “No Further Stay” (8503) condition
- Must be on substantive visa or eligible bridging visa when applying
- Some temporary visas may have restrictions
4. What happens if I don’t receive an invitation?
Not receiving an immediate invitation is common, especially for competitive occupations. Your EOI remains active for up to 2 years.
Options while waiting:
- Improve your points: Retake English test for higher score, gain more work experience, complete Professional Year, obtain partner skills assessment
- Update your EOI: Add new qualifications or experience as you obtain them
- Consider state nomination: Explore Subclass 190 or 491 options for additional points
- Wait for future rounds: Invitation thresholds fluctuate – you may be invited in subsequent rounds
- Change occupation: If you have skills in multiple occupations, consider nominating a less competitive one
5. Can my partner’s skills help my 189 application?
Yes! You can claim partner skills points if your spouse/partner meets specific criteria.
Partner skills points (10 points) require:
- Partner under 45 years of age
- Partner’s occupation on the same skilled occupation list
- Partner has positive skills assessment for their occupation
- Partner has Competent English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent)
- Partner included in your visa application
Alternative partner points:
- 5 points if partner has Competent English but no skills assessment
- 10 points if applying as single (no partner included)
6. What is the difference between 189, 190, and 491 visas?
All three are points-tested skilled migration visas, but with different requirements and benefits.
Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent):
- Permanent residence from day one
- No sponsorship required
- Live and work anywhere in Australia
- Requires 65+ points (invitation only)
- Most competitive option
Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated):
- Permanent residence from day one
- Requires state nomination (adds 5 points)
- Commitment to live/work in nominating state for 2 years
- More occupation options
- Easier to obtain invitation with state support
Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional):
- 5-year provisional visa
- Requires state or family nomination (adds 15 points)
- Must live/work in regional area for 3 years
- Pathway to PR via Subclass 191 after 3 years
- Easiest to qualify for initially
Life as an Australian Permanent Resident
What you can do with your 189 visa
🏡 Residency Rights
- Live in Australia indefinitely
- No visa renewal required
- Can’t be deported (except in extreme cases)
- Full legal rights and protections
- Access to public services
💼 Work & Business
- Work for any employer in any role
- Start your own business
- Change jobs freely
- Work anywhere in Australia
- No work restrictions
🎓 Education
- Study at any institution
- Domestic student fees (much cheaper)
- Access to HECS-HELP loans
- Children attend public schools free
- Vocational training subsidies
🏥 Healthcare & Benefits
- Medicare public health coverage
- Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
- Social security benefits (after waiting periods)
- Parental leave payments
- Unemployment benefits
👨👩👧👦 Family Rights
- Sponsor family members for visas
- Bring parents for visits or residence
- Partner receives same PR rights
- Children become permanent residents
- Family reunification pathways
✈️ Travel & Citizenship
- 5-year travel facility (renewable)
- Return to Australia anytime
- Apply for citizenship after 4 years
- Australian passport upon citizenship
- Dual citizenship allowed
Ready to Become an Australian Permanent Resident?
Start your journey to the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa with VisaTasker’s proven expertise. Our 100% success rate and no win, no fee guarantee give you confidence and peace of mind throughout the process.
Book Schedule Assessment📋 Free Document Checklist
Get the complete list of documents you need for your application — updated for 2026.
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Reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services
MARA Registered Migration Agent · MARN 2318017
This page is written and reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services, a MARA-registered migration agency based in Australia. As registered agents, we are bound by the Migration Agents Code of Conduct and required to provide accurate, up-to-date advice based on Australian migration legislation. Information is reviewed against the latest Department of Home Affairs policy.