Australia Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa: Complete Guide (2026)
What is the Subclass 189 Visa?
The Subclass 189 is the most prized of Australia’s skilled migration visas because it is the only one that gives you permanent residence directly and without any sponsor. No employer ties, no state restrictions, no work obligations — just PR anywhere in Australia from day 1.
That freedom comes at a cost: 189 has the highest points requirements of any Australian skilled visa. Invitation rounds in 2024–25 saw minimum scores of 85–95 for most occupations, and 105–110 for oversupplied occupations like accountants.
You submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, wait for an invitation (based on points ranking), then have 60 days to lodge the full visa application.
Who qualifies
Eligibility is a three-step gate: occupation list, skills assessment, then points test.
✅ Eligibility checklist
- Occupation on MLTSSL: Your nominated occupation must appear on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List. About 200 occupations are included — engineers, IT professionals, nurses, teachers, trades.
- Positive skills assessment: From the assessing authority for your occupation (e.g., ACS for IT, Engineers Australia for engineering, ANMAC for nursing). Fees €300–€1,200 and takes 8–16 weeks.
- Age: Under 45 at time of invitation. Age gives maximum 30 points if you are 25–33; drops steadily after.
- English language: Competent English at minimum (IELTS 6.0 each band, or equivalent). Proficient (IELTS 7.0 each) and Superior (IELTS 8.0 each) give more points.
- Minimum points score: 65 to submit an EOI; realistically 85+ to receive an invitation in most occupations.
- Health and character: Meet Australian health standards; no significant criminal record.
Understanding the points test
Australia awards points across these categories. Maximum is roughly 130 points:
| Factor | Maximum points |
|---|---|
| Age (25–33 optimum) | 30 |
| English (Superior IELTS 8.0) | 20 |
| Work experience — overseas | 15 |
| Work experience — Australian | 20 |
| Education (PhD level) | 20 |
| Australian study | 5 |
| Specialist education (STEM Masters/PhD) | 10 |
| Accredited community language | 5 |
| Professional Year in Australia | 5 |
| Partner skills/English | 0–10 |
To hit 85+ without Australian study or Australian work experience, you generally need: 30 age + 20 Superior English + 15 overseas experience + 15–20 education = 80–85 baseline.
Required documents
Documents are submitted electronically via ImmiAccount once you have been invited.
📄 Document checklist
- Valid passport
- Skills assessment result from the relevant authority
- English language test results (IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, or Cambridge)
- Educational qualifications with transcripts
- Professional work experience evidence (reference letters, payslips, tax records)
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Police checks from every country lived in for 12+ months in past 10 years
- Health check conducted by approved panel physician
- CV with full employment history
- Partner’s qualifications and English (if claiming partner points)
Step-by-step application process
- Confirm your occupation is on MLTSSL. Check the current Skilled Occupation List on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
- Obtain a skills assessment. Identify your assessing authority and submit documentation. ACS for IT typically 4–12 weeks, AUD 500–1,200.
- Take an English language test. IELTS, PTE Academic, or TOEFL iBT. Scores valid 3 years. Aim for Proficient or Superior to maximise points.
- Calculate your points. Use the Department of Home Affairs points calculator. If you are below 85 for your occupation, consider strategies: Australian study, professional year, partner skills, state nomination (190 instead of 189).
- Submit Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect. Free. EOI remains valid 2 years and can be updated.
- Wait for invitation. Monthly invitation rounds. Ranked by points, then date of effect. Low-points candidates may never get invited.
- Lodge visa application within 60 days of invitation. Upload all documents through ImmiAccount. Pay the visa fee. Include family members.
- Complete health checks and police clearances. Home Affairs typically requests these after initial review. Health via Bupa or approved panel physicians.
- Receive decision. Current processing: 12–18 months for 75th percentile. Priority processing for some healthcare occupations.
- First entry and settlement. You have 12 months from visa grant to make your first entry. After that, full PR rights: work, study, Medicare, path to citizenship after 4 years.
Cost breakdown
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skills assessment | AUD 500–1,500 | Varies by assessing authority |
| English language test | AUD 330–410 | IELTS/PTE/TOEFL |
| Subclass 189 application fee (primary) | AUD 4,640 | As of July 2024 |
| Additional applicant 18+ | AUD 2,320 | Spouse |
| Additional applicant under 18 | AUD 1,160 | Child |
| Second instalment for non-functional English | AUD 4,885 | If applicable to dependants |
| Medical exam | AUD 300–500 | Per adult |
| Police certificates | AUD 20–200 | Per country |
| Translations | AUD 200–500 | Certified translations of non-English documents |
| Migration agent (optional) | AUD 3,000–6,000 | If using a registered agent |
| Total (single applicant) | AUD 6,000–9,000 | Without agent; more with family |
Timeline from start to arrival
- Month 1–3: Research occupation, prepare skills assessment
- Month 3–5: Skills assessment processed (8–16 weeks)
- Month 4–5: Take English test; calculate points
- Month 5: Submit EOI via SkillSelect
- Month 5–12: Wait for invitation (varies heavily by occupation and points)
- Month 12: Invitation received; lodge 189 application within 60 days
- Month 13–27: Department of Home Affairs processing (12–18 months)
- Month 27: Visa granted; first entry within 12 months
Realistic end-to-end: 18–30 months from starting the process to having PR in hand. The two biggest variables are how long you wait for an invitation (points-dependent) and department processing times.
Do I need a lawyer?
Most candidates either self-file or use a registered migration agent (MARA). Lawyers tend to be used only for complex cases or appeals.
You might want a licensed immigration professional in these cases:
- Your skills assessment was refused and you want to appeal
- You have previous Australian visa refusals or cancellations
- Your occupation is on a grey area of MLTSSL
- Your work experience is unusual and hard to document
- You have a prior criminal record (driving offences, etc.)
- Health waiver situations (significant medical conditions in family)
Only use registered migration agents (MARA) or registered migration lawyers. Check the MARA online register before paying anyone. Agents typically charge AUD 3,000–6,000 for a 189 application.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 189 and 190?
Subclass 189 is Skilled Independent — no sponsor needed, but higher points bar. Subclass 190 is Skilled Nominated — a state or territory nominates you, which adds 5 points (to help you clear the invitation threshold), but you must live and work in that state for 2 years.
Can I bring my family?
Yes. Spouse/de facto partner and dependent children can be included in the visa grant and receive PR at the same time. Partner skills and English can add up to 10 points to your score.
Do I need a job offer?
No. Subclass 189 is a “skilled independent” visa — the name means independent of sponsors and employers. You do not need a job offer before applying or at any point.
How long does the EOI remain valid?
24 months. During that time, you can update it with improved English, additional experience, new qualifications, or a partner skills assessment. Points changes reset your date of effect.
What is the current invitation minimum?
Varies by occupation and round. In recent rounds: Registered nurses 75 points, software engineers 95+, accountants 105+. Check the latest invitation round results on the Department of Home Affairs website.
What happens if my occupation is removed from MLTSSL?
If you already hold an invitation, you can still lodge your visa application. If you only have an EOI and your occupation drops from the list, your EOI becomes invalid for 189 but may still be valid for some state-nominated streams.
Can I get PR faster through 190 or 491?
Yes, often. 190 adds 5 points (usually sufficient to get invited in most occupations), and 491 (regional provisional) adds 15 points. Both require state or regional commitment but have much lower invitation thresholds.
How long does the skills assessment take?
Varies by authority. ACS (IT): 4–12 weeks. Engineers Australia: 10–16 weeks. ANMAC (nursing): 12+ weeks. Start early — skills assessment is often the longest single step in the process.
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