Be Invited to Apply

The Subclass 189 visa is an invitation-only visa.

Before receiving an invitation, you must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. Candidates are ranked against other applicants and invitations are issued through invitation rounds conducted by the Department of Home Affairs.

Receiving an invitation is a mandatory requirement before lodging a visa application.

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Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

An Expression of Interest is not a visa application.

The EOI is submitted through SkillSelect and contains information about your:

• Age

• English language ability

• Qualifications

• Skilled employment history

• Skills assessment

• Claimed migration points

SkillSelect uses this information to determine your indicative points score and ranking for invitation purposes.

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Be Under 45 Years of Age

You must be under 45 years old when you receive your invitation to apply.

If you turn 45 after receiving an invitation, you may still lodge your application. However, applicants who turn 45 before receiving an invitation will generally not be eligible for invitation under the Subclass 189 Points-Tested Stream.

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Have an Eligible Skilled Occupation

Your nominated occupation must appear on the relevant skilled occupation list for the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189).

The occupation selected in your EOI must match the occupation assessed by the relevant skills assessing authority.

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Have a Suitable Skills Assessment

You must hold a suitable skills assessment for your nominated occupation at the time of invitation.

Generally, the skills assessment must:

• Be valid when you receive your invitation

• Have been obtained within the required validity period

• Remain valid when your application is assessed

You must provide evidence of your skills assessment when lodging your visa application.

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Special Rules for Medical and Legal Practitioners

The Department may accept the following as evidence of a suitable skills assessment:

• Full, unconditional or general medical registration with AHPRA

• Conditional specialist registration with AHPRA

• Admission to practise law in an Australian state or territory

These arrangements apply only where permitted under Department policy.

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Score at Least 65 Points

The Skilled Independent Visa is a points-tested visa.

Applicants must score at least 65 points to be eligible for invitation consideration. Points are awarded based on factors such as:

• Age

• English language ability

• Skilled employment experience

• Educational qualifications

• Australian study

• Partner qualifications

• Other eligible factors

Although 65 points is the minimum threshold, many occupations require higher scores to receive an invitation.

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Have Competent English

At the time of invitation, you must demonstrate at least Competent English.

Accepted English language tests include:

• IELTS

• PTE Academic

• TOEFL iBT

• OET

• Cambridge English

Higher English scores may contribute additional points under the General Skilled Migration points test.

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Meet Visa Status Requirements

If you are in Australia when lodging your Subclass 189 application, you must hold one of the following:

• A substantive visa 

• Bridging Visa A (Subclass 010)

• Bridging Visa B (Subclass 020)

• Bridging Visa C (Subclass 030)

Applicants who do not hold an eligible visa at the time of application may not be able to lodge a valid application.

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Additional Requirement for 491 and 494 Visa Holders

If you currently hold, or your last substantive visa was:

• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491), or

• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494)

you must generally have held that visa for at least 3 years before applying for a Subclass 189 visa.

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Meet Health Requirements

You and any family members included in your application must satisfy Australia's health requirements.

The Department may also require certain non-accompanying family members to meet health requirements where applicable.

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Meet Character Requirements

You and family members aged 16 years or older must satisfy Australia's character requirements.

This commonly includes:

• Police clearances

• Character declarations

• Additional checks requested by the Department

Non-accompanying family members may also be assessed.

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Have No Outstanding Debt to the Australian Government

If you or any family member owes money to the Australian Government, the debt must be:

• Repaid in full, or

• Subject to an approved repayment arrangement

This requirement can apply even to family members who are not included in the visa application.

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Sign the Australian Values Statement

Applicants aged 18 years or older must:

• Read or have explained to them the Life in Australia booklet

• Confirm they will respect Australian values

• Agree to obey Australian laws

This declaration forms part of the visa application process.

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Have an Acceptable Immigration History

The Department of Home Affairs considers your immigration history when assessing your application.

Previous issues that may affect eligibility include:

• Visa cancellations

• Previous visa refusals

• Certain restrictions under migration legislation

A previous refusal or cancellation does not automatically prevent a future Subclass 189 application, but additional eligibility rules may apply depending on your circumstances.

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189 Visa Requirements Checklist

Before applying for a Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189), ensure you can answer yes to the following questions:

• Have you submitted an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect?

• Have you received an invitation to apply?

• Are you under 45 years old at the time of invitation?

• Is your occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list?

• Do you have a suitable skills assessment?

• Do you have at least Competent English?

• Can you claim at least 65 points?

• Do you hold an eligible visa if applying in Australia?

• Do you meet health requirements?

• Do you meet character requirements?

• Have all Australian Government debts been resolved?

• Can you sign the Australian Values Statement?

• Do you have an acceptable immigration history?

If you can satisfy all of these requirements, you may be eligible to apply for the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189). The final decision on eligibility and visa grant is made by the Department of Home Affairs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum points requirement for a 189 visa?

The minimum points threshold is 65 points. However, many occupations receive invitations at scores higher than 65 points due to competition within SkillSelect.

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Do I need a skills assessment for a 189 visa?

Yes. Most applicants must hold a suitable skills assessment for their nominated occupation before receiving an invitation.

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Can I apply for a 189 visa while in Australia?

Yes. Applicants may apply from inside or outside Australia, provided they meet the visa status requirements when lodging the application.

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Can I apply for a 189 visa after holding a 491 visa?

Possibly. If you currently hold, or most recently held, a Subclass 491 visa, you generally must have held that visa for at least 3 years before applying for a Subclass 189 visa.

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What happens if I turn 45 before receiving an invitation?

Applicants who turn 45 before receiving an invitation are generally not eligible to receive an invitation under the Subclass 189 Points-Tested Stream.

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Can a previous visa refusal affect a 189 visa application?

Yes. The Department considers an applicant's immigration history, including previous visa refusals and cancellations, when assessing eligibility.