Skilled independent visa
Subclass 189
The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is a points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, a state or territory, or a family member.
It is suitable for individuals who:
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Are under 45 years old at the time of invitation.
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Have valid skills assessment
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Can achieve at least 65 points on the points test.
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Have at least Competent English (e.g. IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent).
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Have an occupation listed on the relevant Skilled Occupation List.
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Receive an invitation to apply through SkillSelect after submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI).
Processing Times
For the 189 Independent visa, many applicants are decided in 8-9 months depending on complexity.
Because each case is assessed individually, some applications may take shorter or longer.
Costs & Fees
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Nomination
AUD 9,095
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Main applicant
AUD 4,640
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Additional applicant (18+ years)
AUD 2,320
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Additional applicant (under 18)
AUD 1,160
Key Features
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Independent pathway, You do not need sponsorship or nomination from an employer, state/territory, or family.
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Once you apply for a 189 visa onshore, you’ll usually be granted a Bridging Visa A, which allows you to live, work, and study in Australia without restrictions while your 189 application is processed.
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You may be eligible to enrol in Medicare once you have a valid 189 application lodged onshore.
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You can include eligible dependent family members in your application.
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Once granted, the 189 visa gives you:
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Permanent residency
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The ability to sponsor eligible family members
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A 5-year travel facility
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A pathway to Australian citizenship once residence and other eligibility requirements are met
Process
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Contacting a Migration Agent (Applicants)
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Agents conduct a consultation, assess the client’s background, and provide guidance on preparing the required documents (Agents / Department)
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Preparing essential documents (Applicants)
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Lodging the EOI (Agents / Department)
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The EOI gets invited (Agents / Department)
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Preparing and updating documents as required (Applicants)
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Submitting the 189 visa application (Agents / Department)
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Preparing police clearance certificates and undergoing medical examinations as required by the Department (Agents / Department)
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189 Permanent Resident Visa Grant (Applicants)
Common Scenarios & Q&A
01. Do I need a job offer or sponsor to apply?
No. This is an independent visa, so no job offers, employer sponsorship, or state nomination is required. You must rely on your skills, occupation, and points score to receive an invitation.
02. What is a skills assessment and why is it important?
A skills assessment is an official evaluation by the relevant assessing authority for your occupation (e.g., ACS for ICT, Engineers Australia, AITSL for teachers).
You must obtain a positive assessment before you can be invited to apply. The skills assessment is used to verify your qualifications and work experience against Australian standards.
03. I achieved 65 points or more, why I still haven’t been invited?
65 points is the minimum eligibility to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI), but it does not guarantee an invitation.
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Invitations are ranked from highest to lowest scores, so candidates with higher points are generally invited first.
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Some occupations are highly competitive and may require 80+ points to receive an invitation.
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Invitations are issued through periodic SkillSelect invitation rounds, and the number of places per occupation can vary.
If you only have 65 points, it may take a long time or you may not receive an invitation at all ,increasing your points improves your chances significantly.
04. What if my situation changed ( my English score getting higher, I changed my job. Etc) after lodged EOI?
If your circumstances change — for example:
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You achieve a higher English test score;
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You gain more years of skilled work experience;
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You complete an additional qualification
You can log in to your SkillSelect account and update your EOI.
The system will automatically recalculate your points and rank you accordingly in future invitation rounds.
Make sure all claims are supported by valid evidence when you are invited to apply.
05. Do I have to live in, work in or study in Australia to be eligible?
No. You do not need any prior connection with Australia — such as previous study, residence, or job offers — to be eligible.
As long as you meet the age, skills assessment, English, occupation, and points test requirements, you can lodge your EOI from overseas and be invited to apply for the visa.
06. Is there are any requirement for my children and my partner/spouse?
Yes ! If you include family members, they must meet certain conditions:
Partner/Spouse
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included as a secondary applicant in your application.
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Must meet health and character requirements.
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Demonstrate functional English to avoid paying a second visa application charge.
Children
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Must be your dependent children, usually under 18 (or 18–23 if financially dependent and studying full-time).
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Must meet health requirements.
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Are included for visa processing and receive the same permanent residency status as you if the visa is granted.
Skills Assessment
