Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189
What is the Subclass 189 Visa?
The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is a points-tested visa that allows skilled workers to live and work anywhere in Australia permanently. If you’re a skilled professional in a high-demand occupation, this could be your pathway to Australian permanent residency.
Kris Ahn Lawyers provides end-to-end support for your Skilled Independent Visa application. From evaluating your eligibility to preparing your EOI and submitting your applications, we are here to guide you through every step of the way.
Key Features of the Subclass 189 Visa
Stay Duration
Permanent residency granted upon approval.
Work and Study Rights
Freedom to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia, without being tied to any employer, state, or territory.
Healthcare and Social Services
Access to Medicare (Australia’s public healthcare system) and other government social services.
Education
Visa holders and their families can access education programs, including schooling for children.
Sponsoring Family Members
Ability to sponsor eligible family members for permanent residency.
Independence
Not restricted by employer or state sponsorship, offering greater flexibility for visa holders.
Family Inclusion
Eligible family members (such as your partner or children) can be included in the visa application.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189), you must be invited by the Department of Home Affairs after submitting an EOI and meet the following criteria:
Age Limit
You must be under 45 years old at the time of receiving the invitation to apply.
Nominated Occupation
Your occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list.
Skills Assessment
You must obtain a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation from the appropriate assessing authority.
Points Test
You must score at least 65 points based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and English proficiency.
English Language Requirement
At the time of invitation, you must demonstrate competent English (equivalent to IELTS 6.0 or higher).
Invitation to Apply
You must be invited to apply after submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect.
Health and Character Requirements
You must meet the necessary health and character requirements, including passing police checks and medical examinations.
Points Test
The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) operates on a points-based system. You must score at least 65 points to be eligible, with points awarded based on factors such as age, English proficiency, work experience, and education.
Key Information
When you submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, you’ll get a points score based on what you’ve claimed. If you don’t score at least 65 points, you won’t be invited to apply for the visa.
If you do get an invitation, it will state how many points you need to have. This might be higher than 65 points, depending on the details in your EOI.
When you submit your visa application, you’ll need to provide evidence to back up your claims.
You can use the points calculator to get an idea of how many points you might score.
Age
| At least 18 but less than 25 years | 25 points |
| At least 25 but less than 33 years | 30 points |
| At least 33 but less than 40 years | 25 points |
| At least 40 but less than 45 years | 15 points |
English Language Skills
| Competent English | 0 points |
| Proficient English | 10 points |
| Superior English | 20 points |
Skilled Employment Experience
Skilled employment experience (outside Australia)
| Less than 3 years | 0 points |
| At least 3 but less than 5 years | 5 points |
| At least 5 but less than 8 years | 10 points |
| At least 8 years | 15 points |
Australian Skilled Employment (in Australia)
| Less than 1 year | 0 points |
| At least 1 but less than 3 years | 5 points |
| At least 3 but less than 5 years | 10 points |
| At least 5 but less than 8 years | 15 points |
| At least 8 years | 20 points |
Educational Qualifications
| A Doctorate from an Australian educational institution or a Doctorate from another educational institution, that is of a recognised standard. | 20 points |
| At least a Bachelor degree from an Australian educational institution or at least a Bachelor qualification, from another educational institution, that is of a recognised standard. | 15 points |
| A diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution. | 10 points |
| Attained a qualification or award recognised by the relevant assessing authority for your nominated skilled occupation as being suitable for that occupation | 10 points |
For points-based migration, you only receive points for your highest qualification.
Your qualifications must be assessed as comparable to Australian standards by the relevant skills assessing authority.
If you hold an overseas bachelor’s degree or higher that wasn’t assessed, you can seek advice from VETASSESS to compare your qualifications with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
For doctoral (PhD) points, only a completed PhD counts; other doctor titles (like general practitioner or dentist) don’t qualify. Contact VETASSESS for further assessment guidance.
Specialist Education Qualification
| A Masters degree by research or a Doctorate degree from an Australian educational institution that included at least 2 academic years study in a relevant field. | 10 points |
Australian Study Requirement
| Meet the Australian study requirement | 5 points |
You must have at least 1 degree, diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution that meets the Australian study requirement.
Professional Year in Australia
| Completion of a Professional Year in Australia | 5 points |
To be awarded points for completing a Professional Year, it must meet specific requirements:
- Your Professional Year should be in Accounting, ICT/Computing, or Engineering.
- It must be completed in your nominated occupation or a closely related occupation.
- The program should have lasted at least 12 months and completed in Australia within the past four years.
- The program should be provided by recognised bodies like CPA Australia, Engineers Australia, or the Australian Computer Society.
Credentialled Community Language
| Hold a recognised qualification in a credentialled community language | 5 points |
To be eligible for points under the community language credential category, you must have:
Been accredited at the paraprofessional level or above,
Been certified at the Certified Provisional level or above, or
Held a community language credential for interpreting or translating from the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).
Study in Regional Australia
| You must have at least 1 degree, diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution that satisfies the Australian study requirement obtained while living and studying in an eligible area of regional Australia | 5 points |
To be eligible for the award of points your educational qualification must:
- Meet the Australian study requirement.
- Have been obtained while you lived in, and studied at a campus in, a designated regional area.
- Not include study undertaken by distance education.
Partner skills
| Your spouse or de facto partner must also be an applicant for this visa and meet age, English, and skill criteria. Partner must: be under 45 years old, have competent English, nominate a skilled occupation from the same list as yours, and have a positive skills assessment from the relevant authority. |
10 points |
| Your spouse or de facto partner must also be an applicant for this visa and has competent English. For you to be eligible for the award of these points your partner must be an applicant for the same visa subclass and must not be an Australian permanent resident or an Australian citizen |
5 points |
| You are single or your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident* | 10 points |
Checking Your Occupations
Only certain occupations are eligible for the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189). To see if your occupation qualifies, you need to check the official Skilled Occupation List. You can find this list on the Skilled Occupation List page.
Subclass 189 Visa Process
1
Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Create a SkillSelect Profile: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, where you’ll provide details about your skills, qualifications, and experience.
- Points Calculation: Your points score is calculated based on the information you provide, including age, education, and work experience. You must score at least 65 points to be eligible.
- Await an Invitation: If your points meet the threshold, you’ll be entered into a pool and may receive an invitation to apply. Invitations depend on your score and competition from other applicants.
2
Receive an Invitation
- Once selected, you will receive an invitation from the Department of Home Affairs to apply for the visa.
3
Visa Application
- Submit Your Application: After receiving the invitation, you have 60 days to submit your visa application. Make sure you provide evidence to back up all claims made in your EOI.
- Pay the Application Fees: Ensure that you pay the visa application fee and any associated costs (e.g., skills assessment, medical exams).
4
Health and Character Checks
- Health Examination: Complete medical examinations as required by the Department of Home Affairs.
- Police Clearance: Provide police checks for every country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
5
Visa Decision
- Application Review: The Department of Home Affairs will review your application, verifying all documents and ensuring you meet eligibility requirements.
- Outcome Notification: You will be notified of the visa decision. If approved, you will be granted permanent residency in Australia.
6
Post-Visa Grant
- Receive Your Visa Grant: Once approved, you can live, work, and study anywhere in Australia permanently.
- Sponsor Family Members: As a permanent resident, you can sponsor eligible family members for their visas.
Application Fees
Primary Applicant Fee
AUD 4,765
Additional Applicants (18+)
AUD 2,385
Additional Applicants (Under 18)
AUD 1,195
English Test (IELTS/PTE/TOEFL)
Fees for tests like IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL typically range from AUD 300 to AUD 460
Health Exams & Police Checks:
Additional costs may apply for medical exams and police checks.
Skills Assessment:
The cost depends on your assessing authority and occupation.
How Can We Help?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I include family members in my 189 visa application?
Yes, you can include eligible family members, such as your partner and dependent children, in your Skilled Independent Visa application. If the visa is granted, they will also receive permanent residency.
What happens if I don’t get an invitation before my current visa expires?
You must remain on a valid visa while waiting for an invitation. If your current visa is about to expire, you may need to apply for a different visa to maintain your legal status in Australia.
How long does it take to get a decision on the 189 visa?
Processing times for the Skilled Independent Visa can vary. On average, it may take between 6 to 19 months, depending on factors such as your occupation, the completeness of your application, and demand for the visa.
What is the minimum number of points required to apply for the Skilled Independent Visa?
The minimum points required to be eligible for the 189 visa is 65. However, depending on the competitiveness of applicants and your occupation, you may need a higher points score to receive an invitation.
Can I update my Expression of Interest (EOI) after submitting it?
Yes, you can update your EOI if your circumstances change, such as gaining more work experience, achieving a higher English language test score, or completing additional qualifications. This could potentially increase your points score.
