Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) Australia
The Skilled Independent visa Subclass 189 is a permanent Australian skilled migration visa for invited workers who qualify through the Points Tested stream. It does not require employer sponsorship or nomination from an Australian state or territory, making it an independent pathway to permanent residence.
What Is the Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189?
The Skilled Independent visa Subclass 189 is a permanent skilled migration visa for workers whose nominated occupation is eligible for the Points Tested stream. If granted, it gives you Australian permanent residence and allows you to live and work anywhere in Australia.
The visa is considered independent because you do not need an employer sponsor or nomination from an Australian state or territory. Instead, you enter the selection process by submitting an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect. The EOI tells the Australian Government that you want to be considered for a skilled visa, but it is not a visa application and does not give you a bridging visa. There is also no government fee to submit an EOI.
You must receive an invitation before you can lodge a Subclass 189 visa application. These are separate stages of the process: being eligible to submit an EOI does not mean you will receive an invitation, and receiving an invitation does not guarantee that the visa will be granted.
Need help with your Australian Visa?
IMMagine Immigration offers a range of immigration services, including assistance with work visa applications.
Need help with your Australian Visa?
IMMagine Immigration offers a range of immigration services, including assistance with work visa applications.
189 Visa Benefits
- Live, work and study anywhere in Australia as a permanent resident
- Access Medicare, subject to eligibility
- Include eligible family members in your application
- Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
- Travel to and from Australia during the 5 year travel facility and apply for citizenship later if eligible
How We Can Help You
- Assess your eligibility, including occupation, skills assessment, English and points score
- Prepare and review your Expression of Interest through SkillSelect
- Check the evidence supporting your employment, qualifications and points claims
- Prepare and review your Subclass 189 visa application before lodgement
Which Occupations Are Eligible for the 189 Visa?
Your nominated occupation must be eligible for the Subclass 189 Points Tested stream. Home Affairs lists eligible skilled occupations together with their ANZSCO code and relevant assessing authority.
For Subclass 189, Home Affairs currently uses the ANZSCO 2013 classification. A similar job title is not enough on its own. The occupation you nominate should match the work you actually perform and the requirements of the relevant assessing authority.
To check your occupation:
- Identify the occupation that best matches your work.
- Confirm the ANZSCO code.
- Check that it is eligible for Subclass 189.
- Identify the relevant assessing authority.
- Review its current assessment requirements.
- Obtain a suitable skills assessment.
Because occupation lists and assessment requirements can change, use the current Home Affairs skilled occupation list rather than relying on an older static 189 visa occupation list.
Step by Step
Our Process
1. Free Eligibility Check
Complete our short questionnaire and attach your resume (or provide a summary of qualifications and work experience).
Within 48 working hours, we will provide a free written assessment of Visa options.
2. Online Consultation
Book a 75–90 minute paid online consultation to explore your visa options and get answers to all your questions.
3. Visa Application
Once you decide to proceed, we will handle the preparation and processing of your visa application.
About Our Strategy Consultation
If your initial FREE assessment is evaluated as positive you will qualify for a Strategy Consultation with one of our registered migration agents.
The Strategy Consult is:
A professional assessment by a registered migration agent
A review of your most realistic visa pathways
An explanation of timelines, risks, and trade-offs
Guidance before you invest significant time or money
The Consult is NOT:
A guarantee of eligibility or visa approval
A sales call
Generalised or automated advice
People seeking guarantees
(This saves everyone time)
35 years of experience in the migration industry
Government registered/licensed migration agents with offices in Melbourne (Australia) and Auckland (New Zealand)
Success oriented fee structure with instalments paid on reaching milestones in the process.
Alternative Visas
The Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa and the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa are strong alternatives to the Subclass 491 visa.
The Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers who are nominated by a state or territory government. It provides immediate permanent residency and does not require regional living conditions.
The Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa is also a permanent residency visa for skilled workers. It does not require state or territory nomination or employer sponsorship, but it is highly competitive and invitation-based.
The Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa differs as it is a provisional visa that requires applicants to live and work in a designated regional area and provides a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Eligible members of your family unit can be included in the application. They must meet the applicable health and character requirements, and some adult family members may also need to meet Functional English requirements.
There are two separate timeframes: waiting for an invitation and visa processing after application. Both can vary based on your points, occupation, available places, application completeness, health and character checks, and Home Affairs processing priorities.
Yes. You can submit a SkillSelect Expression of Interest from inside or outside Australia. If invited, you can then lodge the Subclass 189 application subject to the applicable visa requirements.
You generally need to be under 45 when invited, nominate an eligible skilled occupation, hold a suitable skills assessment, have at least Competent English, score at least 65 points, submit an EOI through SkillSelect, and receive an invitation to apply. Health and character requirements also apply.
You need at least 65 points to be eligible for consideration under the Subclass 189 Points Tested stream. However, 65 points does not guarantee an invitation, and competitive invitation scores can be higher depending on your occupation and available places.
You need at least Competent English at the time of invitation. Proficient English can add 10 points, while Superior English can add 20 points. Home Affairs changed its approved English test scoring framework on 7 August 2025, so the required scores depend on when your test was taken.
Yes. You generally need a suitable skills assessment for your nominated occupation from the relevant assessing authority before receiving an invitation. The assessment must also be valid at the invitation stage.
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