Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is a points-tested permanent visa for invited skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, family member, or state or territory government. It allows you to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia as a permanent resident.

You generally need to be under 45 at invitation, nominate an occupation on the relevant skilled list, hold a suitable positive skills assessment, achieve at least 65 points, demonstrate competent English, and meet health and character requirements before grant.

Points are usually awarded for age, English ability, skilled work experience, qualifications, Australian study, partner factors, and other eligible bonus factors. Although 65 is the minimum threshold, higher scores are often needed to receive an invitation in competitive rounds.

No. A job offer is not required for Subclass 189 because this visa is designed for independent skilled applicants. Your invitation is based on your EOI ranking and the needs of the migration program rather than employer sponsorship.

You must generally be under 45 years of age when you receive your invitation to apply. Once invited, you must lodge the visa application within the required timeframe stated in the invitation.

Accepted English evidence usually includes tests such as IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, and Cambridge, depending on the rules in force at the time of application. The level you achieve can also affect your points score, with higher scores earning more points.

Your nominated occupation must usually appear on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List or any equivalent list applicable to the subclass at the time you apply. Eligible occupations often include healthcare, engineering, education, technology, and trade roles, but the exact list can change.

Yes. Eligible family members such as your spouse or partner and dependent children can usually be included in the application, provided they meet relevant identity, health, character, and relationship requirements.

Yes. Subclass 189 is a permanent residency visa. It allows you to live in Australia indefinitely, access Medicare if eligible, and later apply for citizenship if you meet residence and other citizenship requirements.

Applicants and any included family members must satisfy Australia's health and character requirements. This commonly includes medical examinations, police clearances, and disclosure of any significant criminal or immigration history.

Yes, many applicants lodge for Subclass 189 while holding another substantive visa or from outside Australia. Your current visa conditions, location at time of application, and any bridging visa implications should be reviewed carefully before you apply.

Invitation numbers depend on the annual migration program and the Department's invitation rounds. Even eligible applicants may need to wait longer if their occupation is highly competitive or if fewer invitations are released in a particular round.

Not usually for the same invitation. Your invitation is tied to the occupation and information in your EOI at the time it was issued. If your occupation or core details change, you may need to update the EOI and wait for a new invitation.

Yes, in most cases a positive skills assessment from the correct assessing authority is mandatory before you can be invited for a Subclass 189 visa. The assessment must match your nominated occupation and still be valid when required.

Subclass 189 does not impose regional or state residence obligations, but you must continue complying with Australian law, keep your travel facility valid if you travel after the initial period, and ensure any information given to the Department remains accurate and honest.

Review rights depend on where you were and the basis of the refusal at the time of decision. In some cases, merits review may be available, while in others you may need to consider a fresh application after addressing the issue that caused the refusal.

No. Unlike Subclass 190 and Subclass 491, the Skilled Independent Visa does not require state or territory nomination or family sponsorship. That is one of the key advantages of the 189 pathway.

Program settings, invitation timing, occupation priorities, and competitive score trends can change from one program year to the next. It is important to check the latest Department announcements and current invitation trends before relying on older guidance.

Subclass 189 is independent and permanent, Subclass 190 is permanent but requires state or territory nomination, and Subclass 491 is provisional and requires regional nomination or eligible family sponsorship. The best option depends on your points, occupation, and flexibility about location.