Subclass 189 Visa: Core Eligibility Requirements

The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is a permanent skilled migration visa for eligible skilled workers who do not require employer sponsorship or state or territory nomination.

Before receiving an invitation and lodging a visa application, applicants generally need to satisfy the applicable requirements relating to occupation, skills assessment, points, English, age, health and character.

Nominated Occupation

Your nominated occupation must be eligible for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) under the applicable skilled occupation framework and legislative instrument.

The occupation must also accurately reflect your qualifications, skills and professional experience. The relevant occupation framework should be checked at the time of preparing your application rather than relying on older occupation lists.

Skills Assessment

Applicants generally need a suitable positive skills assessment in their nominated occupation before submitting their Expression of Interest (EOI).

The relevant assessing authority depends on the nominated occupation. A skills assessment may consider your qualifications, employment experience and other occupation-specific requirements.

Expression of Interest

Before you can be invited to apply for subclass 189, you must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect.

The EOI includes information about your:

• Age

• Occupation

• Qualifications

• Skilled employment

• English language ability

• Skills assessment

• Other points-test factors

You can update your EOI before receiving an invitation if your circumstances change.

Points Test

Subclass 189 is a points-tested visa.

The minimum points threshold is 65 points. However, reaching 65 points does not guarantee an invitation.

Invitation competitiveness can vary according to the occupation, number of available places, invitation rounds and the characteristics of other applicants.

Points can be awarded for factors including:

• Age

• Skilled employment experience

• Educational qualifications

• English language proficiency

• Australian study

• Specialist educational qualifications

• Credentialled community language

• Eligible partner skills

• Other applicable factors

Age Requirement

Applicants generally need to be under 45 years of age when invited to apply.

If you turn 45 after receiving an invitation, you may still be able to proceed with the visa application, provided you meet the other applicable requirements.

Age-related rules should be assessed according to the circumstances of the individual applicant.

English Language

Applicants generally need to demonstrate at least Competent English, unless an applicable exemption applies.

Higher levels of English may provide additional points under the points test.

The accepted evidence and English requirements should be checked against the rules applicable when you submit your EOI and visa application.

Health and Character

Applicants and relevant family members must satisfy Australia's health and character requirements.

Depending on the circumstances, applicants may need to provide:

• Health examination results

• Police certificates

• Identity documents

• Residential history

• Other requested evidence

Step-by-Step Guide to the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa

The Subclass 189 process involves several stages, beginning with an assessment of your occupation and eligibility and progressing through the SkillSelect invitation process and formal visa application.

Step 1: Initial Eligibility Assessment

The first step is to assess whether your circumstances potentially meet the requirements for skilled migration.

This assessment can include:

• Age

• Nominated occupation

• Qualifications

• Employment history

• English language ability

• Skills assessment requirements

• Potential points score

• Visa eligibility

It is important to identify an occupation that genuinely reflects your skills, qualifications and actual professional duties.

Step 2: Obtain a Skills Assessment

Before submitting your EOI, you generally need a suitable skills assessment for your nominated occupation.

The assessing authority depends on the occupation.

Examples of assessing authorities may include:

• Engineers Australia

• Australian Computer Society (ACS)

• VETASSESS

• CPA Australia

• Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand

• Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council

• Other occupation-specific assessing authorities

The relevant authority and assessment requirements depend on the nominated occupation.

A positive skills assessment is an important part of the skilled migration process but does not guarantee an invitation.

Step 3: Complete Your English Language Requirement

You should obtain acceptable English language evidence before finalising your EOI where required.

Your English result can affect your points score, so achieving a higher level of English may improve your overall points position.

The applicable English test and evidence requirements should be checked before relying on a particular result.

Step 4: Calculate Your Points

You should calculate your points carefully before submitting your EOI.

Potential points may be available for:

• Age

• English

• Skilled employment

• Qualifications

• Australian study

• Specialist education

• Community language

• Eligible partner skills

• Other recognised factors

Only points that you can substantiate with appropriate evidence should be claimed.

Step 5: Submit an Expression of Interest

Once you have the required information, you can submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect.

Home Affairs confirms that an EOI is required before an applicant can be invited to apply for subclass 189.

Submitting an EOI is not a visa application and does not guarantee that you will receive an invitation.

Step 6: Receive an Invitation

If you are selected in an invitation round, you will receive an invitation to apply for the relevant skilled visa.

The minimum 65-point threshold should not be confused with an invitation guarantee. The actual competitiveness of an invitation can vary.

Step 7: Lodge the Visa Application

After receiving an invitation, you generally have 60 days from the invitation date to lodge the visa application online.

You will need to provide the required supporting evidence, including documents relating to your identity, qualifications, employment, English, skills assessment, health and character.

Step 8: Complete Health and Character Requirements

Applicants and relevant family members must satisfy the applicable health and character requirements.

The Department may request additional examinations, police certificates or other evidence during processing.

Step 9: Visa Assessment and Decision

The Department of Home Affairs assesses the application against the relevant legislation and visa criteria.

Processing can involve verification of documents, health and character checks and requests for additional information.

A processing timeframe should not be treated as guaranteed.

Subclass 189 vs National Innovation Visa

The previous Global Talent visa (subclass 858) is no longer a current visa pathway. The Global Talent program closed in December 2024 and was replaced by the National Innovation visa (subclass 858).

The National Innovation visa is designed for highly talented migrants who can make significant contributions to Australia's future prosperity. Applicants must be invited before they can apply.

Subclass 189 Visa Entitlements

The Skilled Independent visa is a permanent visa.

Successful visa holders may generally:

• Live permanently in Australia

• Work in Australia

• Study in Australia

• Enrol in Medicare, subject to applicable eligibility

• Include eligible family members

• Sponsor eligible relatives in accordance with applicable sponsorship requirements

• Travel to and from Australia during the visa travel facility

• Potentially apply for Australian citizenship if they meet the separate citizenship requirements

The initial travel facility is generally five years from the date the visa is granted. After that period, a Resident Return visa or another appropriate travel facility may be required for international travel as an Australian permanent resident.

Subclass 189 and Australian Citizenship

Subclass 189 provides permanent residence, but citizenship is a separate process.

A permanent resident may become eligible to apply for Australian citizenship after satisfying the applicable residence and other citizenship requirements.

Holding a Subclass 189 visa does not automatically result in Australian citizenship.

Family Members

Eligible family members can generally be included in a Subclass 189 application, subject to the applicable requirements.

This may include:

• Spouse or de facto partner

• Dependent children

• Other eligible dependent family members in certain circumstances

Each applicant must satisfy the relevant visa requirements.

Subclass 189 and Future Migration Planning

Because subclass 189 provides permanent residence without employer or state sponsorship, it can be an attractive option for eligible skilled professionals.

However, invitation competitiveness means applicants may also wish to consider other pathways where appropriate, including:

• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

• Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)

• Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)

• Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)

• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494)

• Other applicable migration pathways

The most suitable option depends on your occupation, points, qualifications, employment experience, location and individual circumstances.

How The Visa Can Help

The Visa can assist skilled professionals with:

• Subclass 189 eligibility assessment

• Occupation assessment

• Skills assessment guidance

• Points calculation

• English language requirements

• Expression of Interest preparation

• SkillSelect guidance

• Invitation strategy

• Supporting documentation

• Visa application preparation

• Family member inclusion

• Alternative skilled migration pathways

• Permanent residency planning

Our approach is to assess your complete profile rather than relying on your points score alone.

Start Your Subclass 189 Assessment

If you are a skilled professional looking to migrate to Australia without employer sponsorship or state or territory nomination, the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) may be a pathway worth considering.

Contact The Visa to discuss your occupation, qualifications, skills assessment, work experience, English language ability and migration goals.

We can help you understand your potential Subclass 189 visa Australia pathway and assess other skilled migration options that may be relevant to your circumstances.

Important: Skilled occupation requirements, points arrangements, invitation rounds and migration program settings can change. Meeting the minimum 65-point threshold does not guarantee an invitation or visa grant. Eligibility must be assessed against the Australian migration legislation and requirements applicable at the time of application.