Last Updated: 4 Jun 2026

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The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is a permanent residency visa for invited skilled workers who have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list and meet the requirements of Australia's points-tested migration program.

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Unlike state nominated skilled visas, the Subclass 189 visa does not require nomination by an Australian state or territory government. Successful applicants can live, work and study anywhere in Australia as permanent residents.

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To apply for the Subclass 189 visa, applicants generally need a suitable skills assessment, an eligible occupation, a valid Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, and an invitation from the Australian Government before lodging a visa application.

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This guide explains the 189 visa requirements, points test, occupation eligibility, invitation process and current pathways available to skilled migrants seeking Australian permanent residency.

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.

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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.

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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

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

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Eligible Occupations for the Subclass 189 Visa

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

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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. For a full breakdown of occupation ceilings, see the 189 visa occupation ceiling guide.

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Points Test Explained for the 189 Visa

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

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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.

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How Many Points Are Needed for a 189 Visa?

Many applicants assume that reaching the minimum points threshold is enough to receive an invitation.

However, the points requirement to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) is not the same as the points score required to receive an invitation.

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The Skilled Independent visa is a competitive programme. Candidates are ranked in SkillSelect and invitations are generally issued to the highest-ranked EOIs within eligible occupations.

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As a result:

• Meeting the minimum points threshold allows you to submit an EOI.

• A higher points score may improve competitiveness.

• Invitation outcomes can vary significantly between occupations.

• Some occupations may receive invitations at lower scores than others depending on demand and programme priorities.

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To understand how points are awarded, see our 189 visa points table.

To understand how invitation competitiveness changes between occupations, see our 189 invitation round analysis.

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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.​​​