Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189

The Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189 is a permanent visa which allows skilled workers to live in Australia.

This visa does not require sponsorship from an employer or state/territory Government, however skilled workers must be both qualified and experienced to fill Australia’s current skill shortages.

To be eligible for this visa, applicants must be skilled in an occupation on the Skilled Independent Visa Occupation List (SOL)

How do I qualify for a Subclass 189 Visa?

To be eligible to apply for a Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa, you must meet a minimum score on a points test. Once this test is met, the applicant will then need to complete a successful migration skills assessment in their chosen occupation.

Applicants must also be under 45 years of age and meet health, character and English language requirements.

What this visa allows you to do:

Once granted, the Skilled Independent Visa is a permanent visa which allows the applicant and accompanying family members to:

• Live and work anywhere in Australia indefinitely, with no restrictions
• Study in Australia, with access to subsidised education
• Access to Medicare
• Apply for Australian citizenship (after meeting appropriate requirements)
• Be able to sponsor family members for certain visas
• Apply for social security payments
• Travel in and out of Australia for 5 years

Note: Although the visa is granted based on the holder being skilled in a specific occupation, once granted the holder is not required to seek or maintain employment in this occupation.

How do I apply for a Subclass 189 Visa?

There are 2 stages to the Skilled Independent Visa application process:

Expression of Interest (EOI)

Applicants are required to first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for this visa, through SkillSelect. If they receive an invitation from the Department of Home Affairs, applicants can then proceed to apply for the visa, in the given time frame.

Once invited to apply, applicants must lodge their application within 60 days. It is therefore important that applicants have all of the required documentation prepared to lodge as soon as possible, once receiving an invitation.

Note: there is no guarantee of invitation once submitting an EOI. As the SkillSelect system is designed to fill Australia’s current skill shortages, there is a quota for each appropriate occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) who are invited in each quarter-yearly.

Application

To be eligible to apply for the Skilled Independent Visa, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Meet 60 points in the points test
• Be skilled and experienced in an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)
• Complete a positive Skills Assessment test
• Demonstrate minimum ‘competent’ English language ability
• Be less than 50 years of age

Note: you can lodge this visa application either inside or outside of Australia.

Visa Charges

Nomination and Visa Charges can be found here.