SKILLED MIGRATION
The Skilled Independent subclass 189 visa is a points-tested permanent residence pathway for invited skilled workers. It does not require employer sponsorship or state nomination.
Subclass 189 eligibility depends on your occupation, skills assessment, age, English ability and points score. You must also receive an invitation through SkillSelect before you can apply.
Occupation Requirement
You must nominate an occupation that is eligible for the Skilled Independent visa and demonstrate that your qualifications and experience meet the relevant occupational requirements.
Skills Requirement
You must obtain a suitable skills assessment for your nominated occupation from the relevant assessing authority before receiving an invitation to apply.
Points Requirement
You need at least 65 points to be eligible, but invitations are competitive. Your score may include points for age, English, qualifications, work experience and other recognised factors.
The subclass 189 pathway involves assessing your eligibility, obtaining a skills assessment, submitting an Expression of Interest and waiting for an invitation before lodging the visa application.
We review your age, English ability, qualifications, employment history, occupation and potential points score to identify whether subclass 189 may be a suitable pathway.
We help identify the relevant assessing authority and guide you through preparing the qualifications, employment references and supporting evidence required for your skills assessment.
We prepare and submit your SkillSelect Expression of Interest using accurate information about your skills, experience and points claims. An EOI is not a visa application and does not guarantee an invitation.
If you receive an invitation, we prepare and lodge your subclass 189 application with the evidence required to support your points claims, skills, identity, health, character and family circumstances.
A permanent skilled visa for invited applicants who receive nomination from an Australian state or territory government.
A provisional skilled visa for eligible applicants nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member in regional Australia.
A temporary visa that may allow eligible international graduates to live, study and work in Australia after completing their studies.
The subclass 189 visa is a points-tested permanent visa for invited skilled workers whose occupation and skills meet Australia’s requirements. It allows successful applicants to live, work and study permanently anywhere in Australia without employer sponsorship or state nomination.
Applicants generally need an eligible skilled occupation, a suitable skills assessment, at least Competent English, a points score of 65 or more and an invitation through SkillSelect. You must also be under 45 when invited and satisfy the applicable health, character and other visa requirements.
You must score at least 65 points to be eligible for an invitation. However, 65 is only the minimum threshold. Invitation scores vary according to occupation, demand, invitation rounds and the ranking of other Expressions of Interest. A higher score can improve competitiveness but does not guarantee an invitation.
No. The subclass 189 visa is an independent skilled visa and does not require employer sponsorship, family sponsorship or state nomination. You must still submit an Expression of Interest and receive an invitation from the Australian Government before applying.
There are many other reasons why Australian visa applications get refused including:
The total timeframe can include the skills assessment, English testing, Expression of Interest period, waiting for an invitation and visa processing after lodgement. Invitation timing is not guaranteed. Home Affairs processing figures only cover recently decided visa applications and do not include the time spent waiting for an invitation.
Your occupation, skills assessment, English ability, experience and points score all affect your subclass 189 prospects. Book a consultation with Fatima El-Kheir for a personalised assessment of your skilled migration options and next steps.
