The Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) is a points-tested permanent visa that allows skilled workers to live and work anywhere in Australia without employer, state, or family sponsorship.

The visa is administered by the Department of Home Affairs through the SkillSelect system.​ Unlike sponsored skilled visas, the subclass 189 is designed for applicants who can meet Australia’s skilled migration requirements independently and remain competitive in the invitation process.​

What Is the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)?

The 189 visa grants permanent residence to eligible skilled workers who are invited to apply after submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect.

​

Key characteristics:

• Permanent residence from grant

• No requirement for employer, state, or family sponsorship

• Points-tested visa under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) programme

• Selection based on occupation and ranking within SkillSelect
   

Holding the required points and meeting eligibility criteria does not automatically result in an invitation.

​

What You Can Do With a 189 Visa

If granted, the skilled independent visa allows you to:

• Live and work anywhere in Australia

• Study in Australia

• Enrol in Medicare

• Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence

• Travel to and from Australia for five years

• Apply for Australian citizenship (subject to eligibility)
   

Core Eligibility Criteria for the 189 Visa

To be eligible for a subclass 189 visa, applicants must meet all of the following at the time of invitation:

• Age

  • Under 45 years old

• English Language

  • Meet the minimum English language requirement as specified by Home Affairs

• Skills Assessment

  • Hold a positive skills assessment for an occupation eligible for the 189 visa

  • Assessment must be issued by the relevant assessing authority

• Occupation

  • Your nominated occupation must be eligible for the Skilled Independent stream

• Points Test

  • Achieve at least the minimum points required to lodge an EOI

• Health and Character

  • Meet Australian health and character requirements

​

Meeting these criteria makes you eligible, not guaranteed to be invited.

​

Eligible Occupations for the Subclass 189 Visa

Only certain skilled occupations are eligible for the 189 visa Australia pathway.

​

Important distinctions:

• An occupation may be eligible but not actively invited

• Invitations are influenced by occupation demand and programme priorities

• ANZSCO code alignment and correct skills assessment authority are critical
   

Being on the eligible occupation list does not indicate the likelihood or timing of an invitation.

​

Points Test Explained for the 189 Visa

The 189 visa points test is used to rank candidates in SkillSelect.

​

Points are awarded for factors such as:

• Age

• English language ability

• Skilled employment (Australian and overseas)

• Educational qualifications

• Other recognised factors under the GSM points framework
   

Key clarifications:

• The minimum points score allows you to submit an EOI

• Points are used for ranking, not approval

• Applicants are ranked within their occupation, not across all EOIs
   

High points alone do not guarantee an invitation.

​

Not sure how competitive your points score is?

Book a consultation with RACC to review your occupation, points, and realistic pathways under Australia’s skilled migration programme.​​​