Subclass 189 Visa in Australia: Eligibility, Points, Application Steps

Australia’s Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) has moved to the center of Australia’s skilled migration debate as thousands of qualified workers weigh merit-based migration against employer-led systems in other countries. The program invites qualified people to settle as permanent residents, without a job offer or state nomination, under a clear points system. The Department of Home Affairs issues invitations through the SkillSelect portal and ranks candidates by score and occupation demand. Applicants must be under 45, secure a positive skills assessment, and meet English and health standards.

For many technology professionals, nurses, engineers, teachers, and accountants, the Skilled Independent Visa 189 remains a direct, employer‑free path to permanent residency. With processing typically between six and ten months after filing, and a firm 60‑day countdown to lodge once invited, the visa offers a structured route that stands in sharp contrast to the lottery‑based H‑1B in the United States and the long, uncertain green card queues that follow.

How the Subclass 189 works

At its core, the Subclass 189 operates on a straightforward promise: if you can prove your skills match Australia’s needs and you meet the points score, you can seek a life in Australia on your own terms.

• The program is points-tested — applicants are ranked by objective factors such as age, English scores, work history, education, and a partner’s skills.
• The minimum threshold is 65 points, but competitive scores usually sit higher, especially in crowded occupations.
• Candidates who study in Australia often build a stronger profile over time by stacking English results, Australian work experience, and qualifications.
• Those living outside Australia can also succeed if their occupation appears on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and their profile demonstrates depth in skilled employment and education.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the draw of an independent visa with no employer lock‑in continues to attract professionals who want control over their career path and city of residence, along with clear rights from day one.

Key benefits of the 189 visa

• Grants permanent residency on approval (not temporary status).
• Access to Medicare (public healthcare).
• Freedom to work and study anywhere in Australia.
• Ability to include a spouse and dependent children in the same application.
• Pathway to citizenship if residence and character rules are met.

This structure suits families seeking stability, students following a study‑to‑PR path, and professionals comparing the Australia points system with employer‑dependent routes elsewhere. While the government can change invitation numbers and occupation focus, rules around scoring, skills assessments, and English remain clear and predictable.

Step‑by‑step process

1. Check that your occupation is on the MLTSSL and confirm you can meet or exceed the 65‑point bar.
2. Obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority (e.g., Engineers Australia, Australian Computer Society, CPA Australia).
3. Sit an English test (IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL) and secure the appropriate score.
4. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect — this is not a visa application but a profile and score claim used to rank candidates.
5. If invited, receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and lodge the full visa application within 60 days.
6. After filing: complete biometrics, medicals, police certificates, and respond to any case officer requests.

Inside the 60‑day filing window, applicants must upload evidence for each points claim (skills assessment, English scores, qualifications, work references) and pay the fee. The main applicant’s charge is currently about AUD 4,640 (subject to change), with additional fees for partners and children. Typical processing is 6–10 months after lodgement, though this varies by occupation demand and case complexity.

Points, timing, and documentation — what matters

• Age: Highest points awarded to those in their late 20s to early 30s; hard cutoff at 45 at time of invitation.
• English: “Competent English” (often equivalent to IELTS 6) is the minimum. Proficient and Superior bands add significant points.
• Skilled work experience: Must be supported with clear letters showing job title, duties, hours, and dates; work must match the nominated occupation.
• Education: Points depend on highest recognized qualification; Australian credentials often score well.
• Partner points: A skilled partner meeting age, English, and skills rules can add points.

Important timing notes:
– Skills assessments can take weeks — start early.
– English test results must be valid for the submission and claims.
– If you wait to begin assessments until after receiving an ITA, you risk missing the 60‑day filing window.

Checklist (recommended):
– Passport copies
– Skills assessment report
– English test results
– Employment reference letters
– Degree certificates and transcripts
– Police clearances for relevant countries
– Medical examinations via approved clinics

Costs and financial planning

• Main applicant government charge: approximately AUD 4,640 (subject to change).
• Extra fees for adult partners and children.
• Additional costs: skills assessment fees, English test fees, medicals, police certificates, document translation, and professional advice if used.

Many applicants compare this one‑time pathway to the cumulative costs of temporary statuses and repeated employer sponsorships in other countries. Careful budgeting and early preparation can reduce delays and avoid rework that adds expense.

Occupations in demand and invitation dynamics

Occupations showing traction typically reflect Australia’s labor needs:

• Information Technology: software engineers, developers, data analysts, cybersecurity specialists
• Healthcare: nurses, doctors, allied health professionals (e.g., physiotherapists)
• Engineering: civil, mechanical, electrical, and other core fields
• Education: teachers
• Business: accountants
• Trades: construction and related skilled trades

A “hot” occupation helps but does not guarantee an invitation. Demand guides how many invitations the Department issues for a given occupation. In tight labor markets, cut‑off points may fall; in crowded fields, they rise. The key is a score competitive within your occupation.

Study pathways and practical routes to 189

Common student route:
1. Complete a degree at an Australian university.
2. Move to a Temporary Graduate visa (485) for post‑study work.
3. Gain local work experience, improve English if needed, and complete any required skills assessments.
4. Lodge an EOI and aim for the 189 (or consider state‑nominated 190).

Many students also undertake Professional Year programs in IT, engineering, or accounting to add structure and sometimes extra points. This staged plan makes Australia attractive to international students seeking a visible ladder from study to permanent residency.

How to increase your points — practical tips

• Retake English to reach Proficient or Superior.
• Complete a recognized professional accreditation or further study.
• Obtain detailed employment letters to claim eligible experience.
• Consider a partner who meets age, English, and skills criteria to contribute points.
• Gain additional local experience on a Graduate visa before entering the 189 pool.

Small improvements (even a five‑point gain) can be decisive in tight invitation rounds.

Accuracy, risk, and compliance

Officials stress document accuracy because the points system relies on trust backed by proof.

Claims in the EOI must match evidence in the full application. Overclaiming or mismatched documentation can lead to refusal or recalculation that drops your score below the invitation threshold.

To minimize risk:
– Double‑check every date and duty in employment letters.
– Ensure the nominated occupation correctly reflects your job history.
– Keep originals and clear scans of all documents.
– Track expiry windows for assessments, English tests, and police checks.

Prompt responses to Department requests and maintaining a log of deadlines help keep applications moving.

Policy context and how 189 compares internationally

The 189 shows how a points system can steer skilled migration flexibly. The government can adjust invitation numbers and occupational lists to respond to labor market needs without rewriting core rules.

Comparisons with the U.S.:
– Australia’s 189: points-based, no employer sponsorship needed, permanent residency on grant (immediate access to healthcare and family stability).
– U.S. H‑1B/green card route: employer‑sponsored, capped lotteries (H‑1B), long green card backlogs, and status tied to the employer.

Critics of points systems say they favor test‑takers or those with access to preparation. Supporters emphasize transparency and predictability versus lotteries or employer gatekeeping. Households weigh these tradeoffs and choose the route that fits their timelines and goals.

Post‑grant life: taxes, rights, and citizenship

• Permanent residents pay Australian tax on income like citizens.
• Access to Medicare and certain social programs (some with waiting periods).
• No employment restrictions — holders can change jobs or start businesses without sponsorship.
• Children can enroll in school without international student fees.
• Meeting residence and character requirements allows application for citizenship, including voting rights and an Australian passport.

For holders working abroad after grant, tax residency and treaty impacts can be complex — seek professional tax advice.

Official resources and next steps

The Department of Home Affairs maintains full program details — current charges, steps, and invitation trends — on its official page for the Skilled Independent visa. Applicants should check the latest rules as fees, lists, and processing times can change.

Official source: Department of Home Affairs – Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

Practical starter checklist:
– Confirm your occupation is on the MLTSSL.
– Book an English exam early (allow time to retake if needed).
– Start your skills assessment as soon as possible — don’t wait for an invitation.
– Build an EOI that accurately matches your evidence.
– Watch for an ITA and be prepared to lodge within 60 days.
– Budget for the AUD 4,640 main applicant fee plus family and assessment costs.
– Complete medicals and police checks promptly and keep documents current.

If approved, you will receive permanent residency with rights to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia, enroll in Medicare, and include your family on the same grant. For many skilled professionals, this single decision reshapes career freedom, family stability, and long‑term plans in ways that employer‑dependent systems often cannot match.