Subclass 189 Visa: Skilled Independent Permanent Residency
The Skilled Independent visa — Subclass 189 — is Australia's most sought-after permanent residence visa for skilled workers. It grants permanent residence without requiring employer sponsorship or state nomination, giving you complete freedom to live and work anywhere in Australia.
What is the 189 Visa?
The 189 is a points-tested visa for skilled workers. There is no employer or state sponsor required — your application is assessed purely on the basis of your points score, occupation, and meeting the pass mark set by the Department of Home Affairs at each invitation round.
As a permanent residence visa, it gives you and your family the right to:
- Live, work, and study anywhere in Australia
- Access Medicare
- Sponsor eligible relatives for certain visas
- Travel to and from Australia for 5 years
- Apply for Australian citizenship after meeting the residence requirement (generally 4 years, including 1 year as a permanent resident)
Who is Eligible?
To be eligible for the 189 visa:
- Your occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
- You must hold a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing body for your occupation
- You must meet the minimum points score (currently 65 points is the minimum to submit an EOI, but actual invitation scores are typically higher)
- You must be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation
- You must have competent English (generally IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent)
- You must meet health and character requirements
The Points Test
Points are awarded across several categories:
| Factor | Maximum points |
|---|---|
| Age (25–32 is the peak bracket) | 30 |
| English language ability | 20 |
| Skilled employment (overseas + in Australia) | 20 |
| Educational qualifications | 20 |
| Australian study | 5 |
| Professional year | 5 |
| Community language accreditation | 5 |
| State/Territory nomination (189 = 0, 190 = 5, 491 = 15) | — |
| Partner skills | 10 |
The minimum to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) is 65 points. However, actual invitations in recent rounds have typically required 85–95 or more points for competitive occupations. Some occupations with lower demand may receive invitations at lower scores.
The Process
- Skills assessment — apply to your relevant assessing body (e.g. Engineers Australia, ACS, VETASSESS, AITSL, etc.) and receive a positive assessment
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect — this records your profile and points score
- Receive an invitation to apply — invitations are issued periodically (usually monthly) based on occupation demand and your points score
- Lodge the visa application within 60 days of receiving your invitation
- Provide health and character evidence — undergo a health examination and obtain police clearances
- Await a decision — processing times vary but the government target is 12 months for most 189 applications
Points Inflation
The 189 is extremely competitive. In occupations with high demand (such as accountants, engineers, and IT professionals), invitation scores have risen steadily. Many applicants spend 1–3 years building their points through:
- Additional English test preparation to achieve Superior (at least 79 in each PTE or IELTS 7 in each band)
- Completing a Professional Year (5 points)
- Gaining additional Australian work experience
- Community language accreditation (NAATI credential, 5 points)
Skills Assessment
Each occupation has a nominated assessing body. You must obtain a positive skills assessment before submitting your EOI. Common assessing bodies include:
- ACS — ICT occupations
- Engineers Australia — engineering
- VETASSESS — most trade, professional, and technical occupations
- CPA/CA/IPA — accounting
- AHPRA — health professionals
- AITSL — teachers
See the Skills Assessment guide for a full overview of assessing bodies and the process, or the PR Pathway guide to compare the 189 against other permanent residence routes.