Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa.

The subclass 189 is Australia's most sought-after skilled migration visa. It grants permanent residency with no state nomination, employer sponsorship, or location requirements. You can live and work anywhere in Australia from day one.

At a glance

Visa type
Permanent
Sponsorship
None required
Points required
65 (competitive: 90+)
Location
Anywhere in Australia
Application cost
$4,640 (main applicant)
Processing time
6-13 months

Eligibility requirements.

To be eligible for the subclass 189, you must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Occupation: Your occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
  • Skills assessment: You must have a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation.
  • Age: You must be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation.
  • English: You must have at least competent English (IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent). Higher scores earn additional points.
  • Points: You must score at least 65 points on the points test, though competitive scores are typically 90+.
  • Health and character: You must meet health and character requirements, including medical examinations and police clearances from every country you have lived in for 12+ months.

Points breakdown.

Points are awarded across several categories. The pass mark is 65, but most successful 189 applicants score 90 or above. Here is how points are allocated:

Age (25-32 years)
30 points
English - superior (IELTS 8+)
20 points
Overseas experience (8+ years)
15 points
Australian experience (8+ years)
20 points
Education (PhD)
20 points
Australian study requirement
5 points
Partner skills
5-10 points
NAATI / professional year / STEM / regional study
5-10 points

See the full points breakdown for all categories and thresholds.

Application process.

  1. 1

    Get your skills assessed

    Each occupation has a designated assessing authority. This typically takes 4-12 weeks and costs $300-$1,200 depending on the authority.

  2. 2

    Take an English language test

    IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge C1 Advanced. Higher scores earn more points - aim for superior (IELTS 8+) if possible.

  3. 3

    Submit an Expression of Interest

    Lodge your EOI through SkillSelect declaring your points claim. Your EOI stays active for two years.

  4. 4

    Receive an invitation

    The Department of Home Affairs issues invitations to the highest-scoring candidates in regular invitation rounds.

  5. 5

    Lodge your visa application

    You have 60 days from the invitation to lodge a complete application through ImmiAccount. This includes all supporting documents, health checks, and police clearances.

  6. 6

    Wait for a decision

    Processing typically takes 6-13 months. You may be asked for additional documents during this period.

How this compares.

The 189 is the most competitive but most flexible skilled visa. If your points are below 90, consider these alternatives:

Subclass 190

+5 points from state nomination. Must live in nominating state for 2 years.

Subclass 491

+15 points for regional living. Provisional visa with pathway to PR via 191.

See the full 189 vs 190 vs 491 comparison.

Frequently asked questions.

How many points do I need for a 189 visa?
The official pass mark is 65 points, but this is just the minimum to submit an Expression of Interest. In practice, invitations are issued to the highest-scoring applicants first, and most occupations require 90 or more points to receive an invitation in a reasonable timeframe.
How long does the 189 visa take to process?
Processing times vary but typically range from 6 to 13 months after lodgement. The Department of Home Affairs publishes updated processing times on their website. Complex cases or incomplete applications may take longer.
Can I include my family in a 189 visa application?
Yes. You can include your partner and dependent children in your application. Each additional applicant incurs extra visa application charges. Your partner may also be able to contribute 5 points to your score if they have a skilled occupation and competent English.
Do I need a job offer for the 189 visa?
No. The 189 visa does not require a job offer or employer sponsorship. It is assessed entirely on your points score, skills assessment, and other eligibility criteria. You are free to work for any employer once the visa is granted.
What happens after I get a 189 visa?
The 189 grants permanent residency immediately. You can live, work, and study anywhere in Australia. You can also travel in and out of Australia for five years from the date of grant. After meeting residency requirements, you can apply for Australian citizenship.
How often are 189 invitation rounds held?
The Department of Home Affairs runs invitation rounds regularly, typically once or twice per month. The number of invitations and the score thresholds vary each round depending on program planning levels and occupation ceilings.

Check your 189 eligibility.

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