Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189: Requirements, Points and How to Apply
The Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189 is a permanent residence visa for skilled workers who are invited to apply through the Australian Government's SkillSelect system. Home Affairs describes it as a visa that allows invited workers, and New Zealand citizens with the skills Australia needs, to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia. It does not require a state nomination or an employer, which is why it attracts so much interest and why competition for invitations is strong.
This page explains how the subclass 189 works in practice: who can apply, how the points test operates, what the invitation process looks like, what a skills assessment involves, what to prepare, what it costs and why applications fail. It is written for skilled workers in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Europe and Australia who want to understand their chances realistically before they spend money.
If you would like your profile reviewed by a person, Migration Factor offers a free consultation. You can request a free consultation through our contact form. Nothing on this page guarantees an invitation or a visa grant. Rules, occupation lists and invitation settings change, so treat this as a planning guide, not a final answer for your case.
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What the Subclass 189 Visa Is
The subclass 189 is a points tested permanent visa. Holders can live, work and study anywhere in Australia, access Medicare, sponsor eligible relatives and later apply for citizenship if they meet the residence requirements. The visa is independent in the sense that you do not need a sponsor. You earn the right to apply through your points, your occupation and the invitation process.
It sits alongside other skilled pathways. The Skilled Nominated visa subclass 190 needs a state or territory nomination and adds points for it. The Skilled Work Regional visa is a provisional visa with a regional condition. The subclass 189 gives the most freedom, because you are not tied to a state, but the trade off is that invitations go to the highest ranked applicants in occupations the government wants.
Who the Visa Is For
The subclass 189 suits people with strong skills, strong English and a high points score. Typical applicants include:
- Engineers, IT professionals, accountants and other professionals with recognised qualifications
- Nurses, doctors, teachers and other occupations that the government prioritises
- Tradespeople with formal assessments and relevant experience
- Skilled workers already in Australia who want to move from a temporary visa to permanent residence
- Overseas skilled workers who have been preparing for years to build their points
Home Affairs also lists New Zealand citizens in the description of the visa, and a separate New Zealand stream exists with its own requirements. This page focuses on the invited stream that most overseas applicants use.
Applicants from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka represent a large share of skilled migration interest. The requirements do not differ by nationality, so the same points test and invitation process apply wherever you live. What differs in practice is how easily applicants can document their experience, and how competitive their occupation is.
Eligibility Requirements at a Glance
The main requirements for the subclass 189 are:
- You nominate an occupation that is on the skilled occupation list that applies to this visa
- You hold a positive skills assessment for that occupation from the relevant assessing authority
- You are under 45 when you are invited to apply
- You have at least competent English
- You score at least 65 points on the points test
- You submit an expression of interest in SkillSelect and are invited to apply
- You lodge a valid application within the time allowed after the invitation
- You meet health and character requirements, as do family members who apply with you
Home Affairs states that you need at least 65 points to be eligible for an invitation, but also that 65 does not guarantee one. In practice, invitations are issued to applicants ranked highly, and the cut off score varies by occupation.
How the Points Test Works
The points test gives you a score based on factors including age, English language ability, skilled employment, educational qualifications, study in Australia and several other categories, such as a partner's skills. The Department publishes the points table, and you should use that table rather than relying on an unofficial calculator, which can be out of date.
A few examples show how the points work, although you should confirm every figure in the official table. Younger applicants within a particular age band score the most points for age, and the score falls as you get older. A superior English result earns more points than proficient English, which earns more than competent English. Skilled work experience in your nominated occupation, both overseas and in Australia, earns points up to a cap. Higher qualifications earn more points, and certain Australian study can add extra points.
Online points calculators are useful for rough planning, but they are only an estimate. Two practical points follow.
- You must be able to prove every point you claim. If your evidence does not support your claims at the time of application, your application can be refused, and you may face further consequences if the Department considers the claim misleading.
- Points are assessed at the time of invitation and, for many categories, again at the time of application. Your circumstances can change between those dates, so update your expression of interest whenever something changes.
Improving English is often the fastest way to raise your score. A higher test band can add many points. A skills assessment that recognises more years of experience can also help, and so can a partner with a positive skills assessment and competent English.
Occupation Lists and Skills Assessments
Your nominated occupation must be on the list that applies to the subclass 189. The skilled occupation lists have changed in recent years, so please confirm the current list on the Home Affairs website before you invest in an assessment. Older material that refers to previous lists may be out of date.
Each occupation has a designated assessing authority. Engineers, IT professionals, accountants, trade workers, teachers and health professionals use different bodies, each with its own rules, fees and processing times. The assessment checks that your qualifications and experience match the occupation, and the result can affect both your eligibility and your points.
Some practical advice for this stage:
- Choose the occupation that genuinely matches your duties, not the one that appears easiest to get invited in
- Read the assessing authority's guidelines before you begin, because they often set out exactly how employment evidence must be presented
- Gather reference letters, payslips, tax records and contracts that agree with each other
- Check that your job titles and duties line up with the occupation description
- Allow plenty of time, because some assessments take months
Applicants from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka should pay particular attention to employment evidence. Assessors compare reference letters with salary records and tax documents. Where records are informal or incomplete, a clear explanation with supporting evidence can make a significant difference.
English Language Requirements
You must have at least competent English to be eligible. Approved tests include IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET and Cambridge tests, and the score required is set in the regulations. Higher scores earn extra points, so your English result works twice: first as a threshold and then as a source of points.
Some practical suggestions:
- Check how long your test result remains valid, because most results expire
- Book your test early so you have time to resit if you fall short
- Some assessing authorities set their own English requirements, so check them too
- Passport holders from certain English speaking countries may have different evidence requirements, so check what applies to you
Family members aged 18 and over who apply with you may be asked to show English ability, or the Department may apply an additional charge if functional English is not demonstrated. Confirm how this affects your family before you lodge.
Expression of Interest and Invitation Rounds
Everything starts with an expression of interest, called an EOI, submitted through SkillSelect. The EOI records your occupation, points, English, work history and the visa you are interested in. It is not a visa application and does not guarantee an invitation.
Home Affairs invites applicants in rounds. The Department does not publish the dates far in advance, and the pattern in recent years has been a small number of large rounds each program year, rather than regular small ones. Reports on the round held on 4 June 2026, described as the last of the 2025 to 2026 program year, say that around 10,000 subclass 189 invitations were issued, with minimum scores that varied by occupation from 65 points to well above 90 points. These figures come from migration industry reports, so please check the SkillSelect invitation rounds page on the Home Affairs website for official results and the latest round.
Invitations depend on several factors:
- Your points score, with higher scores ranked first
- Your occupation and how many places the Department has set aside for it
- Your date of effect, which is used as a tie break when applicants have the same score
- The overall number of invitations in the round
This means two people with 85 points can have different outcomes if their occupations are different, and an applicant with 65 points may be invited in one occupation but not in another. Occupations with strong government priority tend to have lower cut off scores, while crowded occupations require much higher scores.
If you are invited, you generally have 60 days to lodge your visa application, and the period cannot be extended. Prepare your evidence before the invitation arrives, not after.
Your Chances of Receiving an Invitation
Many people ask about their chances. The honest answer is that it depends on your occupation, your points and the volume of invitations the Department decides to issue. Nobody can promise an outcome.
Some practical ways to improve your position:
- Build points where you can, such as English, additional qualifications or work experience
- Check which occupations have been invited recently and at what scores, using official results
- Keep your EOI accurate and updated, and keep your date of effect in mind
- Consider other pathways if your points are below the typical cut off for your occupation, such as the subclass 190 or a regional visa
- Do not claim points you cannot support, because the consequences of a misleading claim are serious
A consultation can help you compare these strategies before you spend money on assessments and tests.
Documents Checklist
You will need documents at several stages, from the skills assessment to the visa application. A solid checklist includes:
- Passport and identity documents for you and every family member in the application
- Skills assessment outcome letter
- English test results valid at the time of lodgement
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Employment evidence such as reference letters, contracts, payslips, tax records and bank statements
- Evidence of other points claims, such as partner skills or study in Australia
- Your SkillSelect invitation details
- Relationship documents, including marriage certificates and birth certificates for children
- Police certificates from each country where you have lived for the required period
- Health examination results when requested
- Certified English translations of any document that is not in English
Names, dates and employment periods must match across all documents. A mismatch between your passport, your employment letters and your assessment can trigger extra questions and delays, so check them before you lodge.
How to Apply Step by Step
The usual sequence for the subclass 189 is below.
Identify your occupation and confirm it is on the current list.
Check your points score against the Department's table and work out what you can improve.
Apply for a skills assessment with the correct assessing authority.
Sit an approved English test if you do not already have a valid result.
Submit an expression of interest in SkillSelect for the subclass 189.
Keep the EOI current while you wait for a round.
If you are invited, gather your documents and lodge the application through ImmiAccount within 60 days.
Pay the visa application charge.
Complete health examinations and biometrics if requested, and provide police certificates.
Respond promptly to requests for more information and wait for the decision.
Visa Costs and Related Expenses
The visa application charge changed on 1 July 2026. Migration sources report that the subclass 189 base charge for the primary applicant is now roughly AUD 6,135 to AUD 6,140, up from AUD 4,910, with AUD 3,070 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over and AUD 1,535 for each additional applicant under 18. These figures come from practitioner and fee tracking sources and differ slightly, so please confirm the exact amounts in the Visa Pricing Estimator before you pay.
The visa charge is only one part of the total cost. Budget also for:
- The skills assessment fee
- English test fees, and possible resits
- Health examinations and police certificates
- Certified translations and document preparation
- Professional assistance, if you choose to use it
- Travel, relocation and the cost of settling in Australia
Charges are not refunded if your application is refused. Planning the whole budget helps you avoid surprises, particularly if your family will apply with you.
Processing Time Guidance
Processing time for the subclass 189 depends on your circumstances and the Department's workload, and different websites quote different ranges. Home Affairs publishes a global processing times tool that reflects recently decided applications. It is the right place to check, but it shows how earlier cases were handled, not how yours will be.
Remember that the visa decision is only the last step. Skills assessments can take months, you may wait a long time for an invitation, and you have a limited window to lodge after the invitation arrives. A realistic plan considers the full journey, not just the final stage.
Permanent Residency Benefits and Obligations
The subclass 189 grants permanent residence. Holders can live and work anywhere in Australia, study, access Medicare, sponsor eligible family members and later apply for citizenship subject to residence requirements. There is a travel facility that allows entry for a period after the visa is granted. After that period, you need a resident return visa or citizenship to travel and return as a resident.
Unlike the Skilled Nominated visa, there is no state commitment attached to the subclass 189. You are free to settle in any part of Australia. That freedom is one of the main reasons applicants aim for this visa, even when competition is strong.
Subclass 189 Compared With Other Pathways
Many skilled applicants consider more than one pathway, so a quick comparison helps.
- Skilled Nominated visa subclass 190. A permanent visa that requires state or territory nomination. The nomination adds points, but you are expected to live and work in the nominating state for an initial period.
- Skilled Work Regional visa. A provisional visa with a regional condition and a later pathway to permanent residence. It gives extra points but is not permanent from the start.
- Employer sponsored visas. Based on a job offer from an Australian employer rather than on points.
The right choice depends on your occupation, your score, your location and how much flexibility you want. Some applicants lodge an EOI for more than one visa so they can be considered under several pathways.
Common Reasons Applications Are Refused
Refusals and failed applications come from a limited number of causes. Understanding them helps you avoid avoidable mistakes.
- Points claimed in the EOI cannot be proven at the time of application
- A skills assessment that does not match the nominated occupation, or one that has expired
- English test results that do not meet the required level or are no longer valid
- Employment evidence that is inconsistent, vague or unverifiable
- Being over the age limit when invited
- Missing the 60 day deadline to lodge
- Health or character concerns that are not resolved
- Incomplete or inconsistent documents, including mismatched names and dates
- False or misleading information, which can have serious long term consequences
Many of these are fixable before you lodge. Treat your EOI as a legal declaration, keep an evidence file for every claim, and recheck your points before you apply.
Considerations for Applicants From South Asia and Europe
Pakistani and Indian applicants often face the same practical challenges: documenting years of experience from employers who issue informal letters, obtaining police certificates and attested documents, arranging translations, and managing long lead times for assessments. The best approach is to start collecting evidence early and describe your roles and dates consistently across every document.
Applicants from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka face similar issues and should also check that the assessing authority they plan to use accepts their qualifications and occupation. European applicants commonly have strong English and well recognised qualifications, but the competition for places in popular occupations still applies.
For overseas applicants, there is no separate rule set for any country. What matters is your occupation, your evidence and your points. Do not rely on stories that a certain nationality is favoured or disadvantaged, because the Department assesses everyone against the same criteria.
How Professional Help Can Assist
A migration professional cannot change the rules, guarantee an invitation or make the Department invite you sooner. What a good adviser can do is help you choose an occupation and assessing body, calculate points honestly, compare the subclass 189 with other pathways, plan evidence for the assessment and visa stages, check documents for consistency and advise you on what to do if your circumstances change.
This review is most useful before you pay for skills assessments and tests, because many of those costs cannot be recovered if your plan does not work. Make sure anyone you pay for immigration advice in Australia is appropriately authorised, and ask to see their registration details.
Why Consider Migration Factor
Migration Factor provides information and assistance on Australian visa pathways, including skilled migration. We offer a free consultation where you can talk through your occupation, points, documents and options before deciding on your next step. To arrange one, request a free consultation through our contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189?
It is a permanent visa for skilled workers who are invited through SkillSelect, with no state or employer sponsorship needed. You need a positive skills assessment, enough points, competent English and an invitation.
What are the subclass 189 visa requirements?
You must nominate an eligible occupation, hold a positive skills assessment, be under 45 when invited, have competent English, score at least 65 points, submit an EOI and receive an invitation, then meet health and character requirements.
What is the minimum points requirement for the 189 visa?
Home Affairs states that you need at least 65 points to be eligible for an invitation. That does not guarantee an invitation, and cut off scores in many occupations are higher.
How does the 189 points test work?
You earn points for age, English, skilled employment, qualifications and other factors, such as partner skills and Australian study. Use the Department's points table and prepare evidence for every point you claim.
How do 189 invitation rounds work?
Home Affairs invites applicants from SkillSelect in rounds that are not announced far in advance. Ranking depends on points, occupation and date of effect. Check the official SkillSelect page for the latest results.
What are my chances of receiving a 189 invitation?
It depends on your occupation, your points and how many invitations the Department issues. Nobody can promise an invitation, but keeping your EOI accurate and building points can improve your position.
Which occupations are eligible for the 189 visa?
Eligible occupations are set out in the skilled occupation list that applies to the visa. Check the current list on Home Affairs, because lists change.
How long does the subclass 189 visa take to process?
There is no fixed time. Home Affairs publishes a processing times tool that gives an indication only. Skills assessment and waiting for an invitation add time before the visa application starts.
How much does the 189 visa cost?
Sources report that the primary applicant charge is roughly AUD 6,135 to AUD 6,140 from 1 July 2026, with AUD 3,070 for each additional adult and AUD 1,535 for each additional child. Confirm your exact amount in the Visa Pricing Estimator. Skills assessment and English test costs are separate.
What English level do I need for the 189 visa?
You need at least competent English from an approved test. Higher scores earn extra points, and some assessing authorities set their own requirements as well.
What documents do I need for the 189 visa?
Typically your passport, skills assessment, English results, qualifications, employment evidence, invitation details, relationship documents, police certificates and health examination results. More may be requested.
Can Pakistani and Indian applicants apply for the 189 visa?
Yes. The same requirements apply to all nationalities. What matters is your occupation, skills assessment, points and evidence, so prepare your employment and identity documents carefully.
Why is a 189 visa application refused?
Common causes include unproven points claims, skills assessment problems, inconsistent employment evidence, expired English results, missed deadlines and false information.
Next Step
If you are working out your points, choosing an occupation or deciding between the subclass 189 and other skilled visas, request a free consultation with Migration Factor through our contact form. Please bring your resume, qualifications, English test results and any skills assessment outcome so the conversation can be specific.
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