Overview

The Skilled Independent Subclass 189 visa is a points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an Australian employer, family member or nominated by a state or territory.

The 189 visa is a points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an Australian employer.

The Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa allows skilled people to migrate to Australia permanently.

Duration and Conditions

This visa lets invited workers with skills we need, to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia.

    • stay in Australia permanently
    • work and study in Australia
    • enroll in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare
    • sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
    • travel to and from Australia for 5 years
    • if eligible, become an Australian citizen

Eligibity

  • You must be under 45 years of age.
  • You must have a skilled occupation on the relevant Medium and Long Term Strategic Skilled List (MLTSSL).
  • You must be able to demonstrate ‘Competent English’.
  • You must have a positive skills assessment from the relevant skills assessing authority in relation to your nominated occupation.
  • You must obtain the minimum score on the Points Test at the time of invitation to apply for the visa.
  • You must obtain an invitation to apply for the visa. To be invited you will need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect and meet the required points test on a competitive basis.
  • You must satisfy certain Public Interest criteria and Special Return criteria.
  • You must meet health and character requirements.