Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa
Complete Australia Guide
Last Updated: 3 July 2026
Quick Summary of 189 Visa
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Visa type: Permanent residence from date of grant
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Sponsorship required: None — no employer, state, or family sponsor needed
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Minimum points to submit EOI: 65 points
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Competitive points (2025–26): 65–70 pts (trades) to 90–110 pts (engineering/ICT)
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Application fee: AUD $6,135 (primary applicant)
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Processing time: ~5 months (50th percentile) to ~12 months (90th percentile)
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EOI validity: Up to 2 years
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Who can apply: Onshore and offshore applicants
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Live and work: Anywhere in Australia
The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers who meet Australia's points-tested migration requirements without the need for employer, state, or family sponsorship. Applicants must have an eligible occupation, a positive skills assessment, and receive an invitation through SkillSelect before they can lodge an application.
Unlike state or territory nominated skilled visas, the Subclass 189 gives permanent residents the freedom to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia from the date of grant.
This guide covers 189 visa eligibility, the points test, SkillSelect invitations, processing times, costs, required documents, the application steps, and how the 189 compares to the Subclass 190 and 491 pathways.
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:
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Permanent residence from grant
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No requirement for employer, state, or family sponsorship
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Points-tested visa under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) programme
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Selection based on occupation and ranking within SkillSelect
Meeting the minimum points and eligibility criteria does not automatically result in an invitation. The 189 is a competitive programme — candidates are ranked and invitations are issued to the highest-scoring profiles within each eligible occupation.
What You Can Do With a 189 Visa
If granted, the skilled independent visa allows you to:
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Live and work anywhere in Australia permanently
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Study in Australia
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Enrol in Medicare, Australia's public health insurance scheme
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Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
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Travel to and from Australia for five years from the date of grant
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Apply for Australian citizenship, subject to meeting residency requirements
Core Eligibility Criteria for the 189 Visa
To be eligible for the Subclass 189 visa, applicants must satisfy all of the following requirements at the time of invitation:
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Age
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Under 45 years old
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English Language
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You need at least Competent English to qualify.
Minimum scores per component: -
IELTS: 6 in each of listening, reading, writing, speaking
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PTE Academic: 47 listening, 48 reading, 51 writing, 54 speaking
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TOEFL iBT: 16 listening, 16 reading, 19 writing, 19 speaking
Tests must be in-person. Online versions (IELTS Online, TOEFL Home Edition, etc.) don't count. Check your test's validity window before you rely on it: results from tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 stay valid for Australian visa purposes only until 6 August 2028.
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Skills Assessment
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Hold a positive skills assessment for an occupation eligible for the 189 visa
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Assessment must be issued by the relevant assessing authority
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Occupation
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Your occupation must be on the skilled occupation list for the Skilled Independent stream.
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Points Test
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You need at least 65 points to lodge an EOI. Hitting 65 doesn't guarantee an invitation, it's the floor, not the target.
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Health and Character
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Meet Australian health and character requirements
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Satisfying these criteria makes you eligible to submit an EOI — it does not guarantee an invitation to apply.
Eligible Occupations for the Subclass 189 Visa
Only certain skilled occupations are eligible for the 189 visa Australia pathway.
Important distinctions:
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An occupation may be eligible but not actively invited
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Invitations are influenced by occupation demand and programme priorities
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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 list.
Points Test Explained for the 189 Visa
The 189 visa points test is used to rank candidates in SkillSelect.
Points are awarded for:
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Age
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English language ability
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Skilled employment experience (Australian and overseas)
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Educational qualifications
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Specialist education qualifications
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Australian study
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Professional Year completion in Australia
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Credentialled community language
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Study in regional Australia
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Partner skills factors
The minimum score allows you to submit an EOI. Your score then determines your ranking within your occupation. Higher-ranked candidates receive invitations first.
For the complete breakdown of points available under each factor, see the 189 visa points table.
How Many Points Are Needed for a 189 Visa?
The minimum points score to submit an Expression of Interest is 65 points.
However, 65 points is the floor, not the target. The Subclass 189 is competitive — candidates are ranked within their occupation, and invitations go to the highest-scoring EOIs first. In practice, competitive scores in 2025–26 have ranged from 65–70 points for high-demand trade occupations to 90–110 points for some engineering and ICT roles. The score you need depends entirely on your occupation and how many other candidates are in the same pool.
Meeting the minimum points threshold allows you to submit an EOI. A higher points score improves your competitiveness. Invitation outcomes vary significantly between occupations depending on demand and programme priorities.
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.
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.
How SkillSelect Works for the Subclass 189 Visa
The process follows these steps:
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Obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority
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Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect
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EOIs are ranked within each occupation based on points score
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Home Affairs conducts invitation rounds and issues invitations to eligible, high-ranking candidates
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Invited applicants have 60 days to lodge a visa application through ImmiAccount
EOIs remain active for up to two years. There is no fixed schedule for invitation rounds — timing and volume depend on programme planning and occupation priorities.
What Happens After You Submit an EOI?
Submitting an Expression of Interest does not create a visa application.
After an EOI is lodged:
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The profile enters the SkillSelect pool.
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Candidates are ranked according to the General Skilled Migration points test.
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Home Affairs may conduct invitation rounds and select candidates from eligible occupations.
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If invited, applicants have 60 days to lodge a Subclass 189 visa application through ImmiAccount
An EOI can remain active for up to two years. During this period, invitation outcomes may change depending on programme settings, occupation demand and the competitiveness of other candidates.
For a detailed explanation of invitation trends and recent invitation results, see our 189 invitation round analysis.
Invitations Under the Skilled Independent Visa
Invitations for the Subclass 189 are issued at the discretion of Home Affairs and depend on programme planning levels, occupation-specific priorities, and ranking within SkillSelect.
It is important to distinguish between three separate things:
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Eligibility — meeting the visa requirements to submit an EOI
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Competitiveness — ranking well within your occupation in SkillSelect
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Invitation — being selected to lodge a visa application
Invitation behaviour can change over time and should not be assumed to follow a regular schedule.
Latest Invitation Round Update
Based on invitations reported by RACC clients during the 4 June 2026 invitation round, invitations were received across multiple occupations including:
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Social Worker
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Registered Nurse
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General Practitioner
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Secondary School Teacher
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Physiotherapist and Solicitor
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and more.
View the full invitation round update and reported invitation points.
Why Some Applicants Receive Invitations Faster Than Others
Receiving an invitation depends on more than simply meeting the visa requirements.
Several factors may influence invitation outcomes, including:
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Occupation demand
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Number of available invitations
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Points score
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Ranking within SkillSelect
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Government programme priorities
This is why two applicants with the same occupation may experience different waiting times.
Applicants should distinguish between:
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Eligibility to submit an EOI
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Competitiveness within their occupation
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Selection during an invitation round
To understand how invitation availability may vary by occupation, see our guide to the 189 visa occupation ceiling formula.
189 Visa Processing Time
Processing time for the Subclass 189 begins after a valid visa application is lodged following an invitation — not from when an EOI is submitted.
Based on Department of Home Affairs global visa processing time data (May 2026):
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50th percentile (half of applications): approximately 5 months
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90th percentile (most applications): approximately 12 months
Processing times vary based on occupation priority, application completeness, and whether health and character requirements have been resolved before lodgement. Applications that are decision-ready at the time of lodgement — with all evidence complete and health checks finalised — typically process faster than those submitted incrementally.
Waiting time for an invitation is separate from — and not included in — visa processing time.
Fees, occupation demand, and processing benchmarks are set by Home Affairs and may change. Always check the official Department of Home Affairs processing times page for current figures or you can check our processing time page.
189 Visa Cost
The Subclass 189 visa application charge is set by the Department of Home Affairs and is non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
As of the date of this guide, the government Visa Application Charge (VAC) is:
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Primary applicant: AUD $6,135
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Additional applicant aged 18 or older: AUD $3,070
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Additional applicant under 18: AUD $1,540
For example, a primary applicant with one adult partner and one child under 18 would pay a total VAC of AUD $10,745 at lodgement. Fees are subject to change. The fee that applies to your application is determined by the date Home Affairs receives it — not the date you prepare it. Always confirm the current charge using the official Visa Pricing Estimator before lodging.
An additional second instalment charge of AUD $4,885 may apply to any family member aged 18 or older who does not meet the functional English requirement. This charge is only requested if Home Affairs is going to grant the visa — it is not paid at lodgement.
Beyond the visa application charge, applicants should also budget for:
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Skills assessment fees (varies by assessing authority)
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English language test fees (IELTS, PTE Academic, or equivalent)
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Health examination fees
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Police clearance certificates (Australian and overseas, if applicable)
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Migration agent professional fees, if applicable
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE 189 VISA — STEP BY STEP
Applying for the Subclass 189 involves several stages that must be completed in the correct order.
Step 1 — Confirm your occupation eligibility Check that your occupation is on the relevant skilled occupation list for the 189 visa. Identify the correct ANZSCO code and the assessing authority responsible for your occupation.
Step 2 — Obtain a positive skills assessment Apply for a skills assessment from the relevant authority (for example, Engineers Australia, ANMAC, ACS, VETASSESS, or others). The assessment must be current at the time of invitation.
Step 3 — Complete an English language test Sit an approved English language test (IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced, or OET for health occupations). Higher scores attract additional points.
Step 4 — Calculate and build your points score Use the General Skilled Migration points test to calculate your score. Identify areas where you can legitimately increase your score — such as English proficiency, Australian work experience, or partner skills factors. See the full 189 visa points table.
Step 5 — Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect Lodge your EOI online through the SkillSelect portal. Your EOI remains active for two years and can be updated at any time before receiving an invitation.
Step 6 — Wait for an invitation to apply Your EOI is ranked within your occupation. Home Affairs issues invitations to the highest-ranked candidates. There is no fixed timeline — waiting periods vary significantly by occupation.
Step 7 — Lodge your visa application If invited, you have 60 days to lodge your Subclass 189 visa application through ImmiAccount. You must provide evidence for all claims made in your EOI at this stage.
Step 8 — Complete health and character requirements Undertake an Australian immigration health examination with a panel physician. Obtain police clearance certificates from Australia and any country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
Step 9 — Await a visa decision The Department of Home Affairs will assess your application. Based on May 2026 data, 50% of applications are finalised within approximately 5 months of lodgement.
189 VISA DOCUMENTS — WHAT YOU NEED
When lodging a Subclass 189 visa application, you will generally need to provide the following documents. Requirements may vary depending on your individual circumstances.
Identity and personal documents
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Current passport (and any previous passports)
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Birth certificate
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National identity documents
Skills and qualifications
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Positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority (must be current)
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Academic transcripts and degree certificates
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Evidence of all qualifications claimed in the EOI
English language
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Official score report from an approved English language test (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, Cambridge, or OET)
Employment evidence
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Reference letters from employers on company letterhead, confirming dates, role, hours, and duties
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Payslips, contracts, or other supporting employment records
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Documents for all skilled employment claimed in the EOI
Health requirements
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Completed Australian immigration health examination (through an authorised panel physician)
Character requirements
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Australian Federal Police clearance (if you have lived in Australia for 12 cumulative months or more in the past 10 years)
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Police clearances from each country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years
Partner and family documents (if applicable)
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Marriage certificate or de facto relationship evidence
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Birth certificates for dependent children
All documents in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Incomplete or inconsistent documentation is one of the most common reasons for delays and requests for further information after lodgement.
189 VISA vs 190 VISA vs 491 VISA — KEY DIFFERENCES
The Subclass 189, 190, and 491 are the three main pathways under General Skilled Migration. Choosing the right pathway depends on your occupation, points score, and willingness to live in a specific state or region.
Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent
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Visa type: Permanent residence from grant
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Sponsorship: None required
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Where you can live: Anywhere in Australia
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How you're selected: Points score ranking in SkillSelect
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Best suited to: Applicants with high points scores seeking maximum flexibility
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Key consideration: Most competitive — typically requires 80–110 points depending on occupation
Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated
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Visa type: Permanent residence from grant
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Sponsorship: State or territory government nomination required
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Where you can live: Anywhere in Australia (with a two-year obligation to live and work in the nominating state)
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How you're selected: Nomination by a state/territory, then ranked in SkillSelect (nomination adds 5 bonus points)
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Best suited to: Applicants with 70–85 points who can secure state nomination
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Key consideration: More accessible for mid-range points scores; state occupation lists and criteria vary
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional
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Visa type: Temporary — five-year provisional visa with a pathway to permanent residence via Subclass 191
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Sponsorship: State or territory government nomination, or sponsorship by an eligible family member in a regional area
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Where you can live: Designated regional areas only during the provisional period
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How you're selected: Nomination, then ranked in SkillSelect (nomination adds 15 bonus points)
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Best suited to: Applicants with 65–80 points who are willing to live regionally
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Key consideration: Fastest pathway to PR for lower-points applicants; requires three years in a regional area before applying for the 191
Which pathway is right for you? The 189 offers the most freedom but demands the strongest points profile. The 190 sits in the middle — permanent residence with a state obligation. The 491 is often the fastest route to PR for applicants with moderate points scores, provided they are willing to commit to regional living.
Common Misunderstandings About the 189 Visa
Several common assumptions about the Subclass 189 lead to incorrect planning:
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Meeting the 65-point minimum guarantees an invitation — it does not. It only allows you to enter the SkillSelect pool.
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Invitations are issued on a fixed monthly schedule — invitation rounds have no guaranteed timetable.
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All eligible occupations receive invitations — some eligible occupations have not received invitations in a given financial year.
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Processing time includes waiting for an invitation — it does not. Processing begins only after a visa application is lodged.
These misunderstandings often lead to incorrect timeline expectations and poor pathway planning.
Related Skilled Migration Resources
Applicants researching the Skilled Independent visa may also find the following guides useful:
These resources explain how points are calculated, how invitations are issued and how occupation demand can influence invitation outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) a permanent visa?
Yes. The Subclass 189 visa grants permanent residence in Australia from the date of grant.
How many points do I need to get an invitation for the 189 visa?
The minimum points score to submit an Expression of Interest is 65 points. However, the score required to receive an invitation is higher in most occupations. Competitive scores in 2025–26 have ranged from 65–70 points for high-demand trade occupations to 90–110 points for some engineering and ICT roles. The score needed depends on your occupation and the ranking of other candidates in the same pool.
Can I apply for the 189 visa without employer or state sponsorship?
Yes. The Subclass 189 visa does not require any form of sponsorship — no employer, state government, or family member needs to support your application.
How long does 189 visa processing take? Based on Department of Home Affairs data from May 2026, half of Subclass 189 applications are finalised within approximately 5 months of lodgement, and 90% are finalised within approximately 12 months. Processing time begins after a visa application is lodged following an invitation — not when an EOI is submitted.
How long can my EOI stay active?
An EOI remains active in SkillSelect for up to two years. Remaining in the pool does not guarantee an invitation.
Can I consider other skilled visa options if I do not receive a 189 invitation?
Yes. Applicants who do not receive a 189 invitation may be eligible for the Subclass 190 (state nominated, +5 points) or Subclass 491 (regional, +15 points) pathways. Some applicants find these options more accessible depending on their occupation and points score.
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