Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
This visa is for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, a state or territory government, or a family member. To be eligible, applicants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Skill Select system and be invited to apply based on their points score, which is calculated based on factors such as age, English language proficiency, work experience, and qualifications
Also known as visa subclass 189, the Skilled Independent visa is a visa stream designed to attract invited workers with specific skills needed by the wider Australian community. If you fulfill the requirements, you will be able to live, work, and study permanently anywhere in Australia. If the visa is granted, invited residents benefit from many of the same rights as Australian citizens.
Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189) applicants must obtain a minimum of 65 points on the point assessment.
To apply for this visa, you must submit an expression of interest (EOI) and be invited by SkillSelect. Upon receiving an invitation to apply for this visa, you have 60 days (about 2 months) to submit your application.
- Benefits of the Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa
- Stay in Australia permanently
- Work and study in Australia
- Enroll in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare
- Sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
- Travel to and from Australia for 5 years
- If eligible, become an Australian citizen
Candidates need to fulfill the eligibility criteria of one of the above-mentioned classes.
Complete our General Skilled Migration (GSM) points test to find out if you may be eligible to apply for a Skilled Independent 189
- Age
Only those applicants who are above 18 years and below 45 years at the time of receiving the ITA qualify for the Subclass 189 Visa.
Age | Points |
18 – 25 years | 25 |
25 – 33 years | 30 |
33 – 40 years | 25 |
40 – 45 years | 15 |
- English Skills
You have to show that you have sufficient English language proficiency by showing your results on assessments like the OET, PTE, TOEFL, or IELTS.
English | Points |
Competent English | 0 |
Proficient English | 10 |
Superior English | 20 |
- Experience:
Overseas Skilled Employment – (Outside Australia)
Number of Years | Points |
Less than 3 years | 0 |
3 to 4 years | 5 |
5 to 7 years | 10 |
Minimum 8 years | 15 |
Australian Skilled Employment – (Inside Australia)
Number of Years | Points |
Less than 1 years | 0 |
1 to 2 years | 5 |
3 to 4 years | 10 |
5 to 7 years | 15 |
Minimum 8 years | 20 |
- Partner Skills:
The Australian government may award you five points based on your partner’s or spouse’s skill set if they Your spouse or de facto partner must also be an applicant for this visa and meet age, English and skill criteria.
- Age under 45 years
- Competent English Language Ability
- can occupation that is listed on the DHA skilled occupations list as per the main applicant’s nominated occupation
You cannot gain these points if your partner is
- Not included on your visa application
- An Australian citizen
- An Australian Permanent Resident
- Education
Number of Years | Points |
Doctorate | 20 |
Bachelor’s or master’s Degree | 15 |
Diploma | 10 |
Qualification or Award for Skilled Occupation | 10 |
- Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa – English Requirements
If you are planning to apply for a visa that requires you to provide evidence of your english ability, there are a number of acceptable english tests and other evidence which may be accepted. Meeting the English requirement is one of the first steps of the Australian migration process.
Test | Required Score |
IELTS – International English Language Testing System
| At least 6 for each of the 4 components |
TOEFL iBT – Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test
| At least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking |
PTE Academic – Pearson Test of English Academic
| At least 50 for each of the 4 components |
OET – Occupational English Test
| At least B for each of the 4 components |
Cambridge C1 Advanced test
| At least 169 in each of the 4 components |
- How long you can stay?
This is a permanent visa. It lets you stay in Australia indefinitely. The visa has a travel component that expires 5 years after the date of visa grant
- How to apply for Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) Visa?
You may be able to apply for a 189 Skilled Independent Visa, if you meet the following requirements:
- You must be aged under 45 when we invite you to apply for the visa
- For your application to be valid, you must declare that you have a suitable skills assessment at the time of invitation.
- At the time of invitation, you must have at least competent English.
- Your occupation must be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) Point-Tested stream.
- Must fulfill the character and health requirements.
- Submit an expression of interest (EOI) and be invited by SkillSelect.
- Get your sponsor to complete essential paperwork
- Confirm you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws when you sign or accept the Australian Values Statement.
- Have paid back your debt to the Australian government
- What is SkillSelect?
SkillSelect is the Australian Government’s online system for skilled workers who want to express their interest in applying for a visa to live and work in Australia.
Process:
- Check :
Check your occupation is on the Skilled occupation List, if you have 65 points, you are eligible.
- Submit :
Submit an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect
- Wait :
Wait for Invitation to apply to apply for this visa
- Gather :
Gather you documents
- Apply :
Apply for visa within 60 days (about 2 months) of invitation.
- Cost
- The visa costs AUD4,640 for the main applicant.
- There is also a charge for each family member who applies for the visa with you.
- You might have to pay an extra charge for any applicant 18 years old or older who has less than functional English. This charge is the second instalment. Pay it only when they ask you to. They ask for the charge only if we are going to grant the visa.
The second instalment charge for family members is.
- The Visa Pricing Estimator does not include the second instalment or other costs. You might also have to pay other costs for health checks, police certificates and biometrics.
- Proof of Funds
To work out what your visa will cost use the Visa Pricing Estimator.