subclass 189
Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189)
A permanent points-based visa for skilled workers who want to live and work in Australia without needing an employer or state government to back their application.
- Onshore
- Permanent Residence
- Processing: 6–18 months
- Govt fee: ~$4,640
- No sponsor needed
What Is the Subclass 189 Visa?
The Subclass 189 is a permanent visa that allows you to live and work in Australia indefinitely — without being tied to a particular employer, state or region. It is open to skilled workers outside and inside Australia, provided you hold a valid substantive visa if applying onshore.
To be eligible, your occupation must appear on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), and you must be invited through the SkillSelect system based on your points score. Because there is no sponsorship requirement, this visa attracts a large pool of applicants — which means the competition is strong and scores need to be high. In practice, most applicants require 85 points or more to receive an invitation.
At Amity Lawyers, our immigration lawyers work with you to build the strongest possible Expression of Interest and make sure your application is complete and well-prepared from the start.
Who Can Apply?
- Be under 45 years of age at time of invitation
- Have a nominated occupation on the MLTSSL
- Have had a suitable skills assessment completed by the relevant assessing body
- Score at least 65 points on the points test (invitation requires significantly more in practice)
- Have at least competent English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent)
- Meet health and character requirements
The Points Test — What Matters
| Factor | Points Available |
|---|---|
| Age (25–32 years) | 30 points |
| English — Superior (IELTS 8+) | 20 points (10 for Proficient) |
| Skilled employment — 8+ years overseas | 15 points |
| Skilled employment — 8+ years in Australia | 20 points |
| Australian qualification (Bachelor+) | 15 points |
| Specialist education qualification | 5 points |
| Professional Year (in Australia) | 5 points |
| Partner skills / single applicant bonus | 10 points |
| State/territory nomination (190 only) | 5 points |
What score do I need? Most invitations in recent rounds have been issued to applicants scoring between 85 and 100 points. The cut-off shifts depending on your occupation and how many others in that field are in the pool. Our lawyers keep up with the latest round results and can give you a realistic view of where you stand.
Process Overview
- Step 1 — Complete a skills assessment through the relevant authority (e.g. Engineers Australia, VETASSESS, ACS)
- Step 2 — Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect
- Step 3 — Receive an invitation to apply (based on points ranking)
- Step 4 — Lodge the visa application within 60 days of invitation
- Step 5 — Provide health and character documents
- Step 6 — Visa granted — permanent residency from date of grant