Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189)

The Skilled Independent visa, subclass 189, is Australia's flagship points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, a state or a family member. It is the most independent route in the skilled migration programme: you are selected purely on your own merit, measured through the points test.

Because it grants permanent residence on approval, subclass 189 gives the holder and their family the right to live, work and study anywhere in Australia indefinitely, access to Medicare, and a pathway to citizenship. There are no geographic restrictions and no obligation to a particular employer or region.

The trade-off for this freedom is competition. Australia issues a limited number of invitations each year and, in 2026, the practical entry score for most occupations sits well above the minimum pass mark of 65. Candidates routinely need 85 to 95 points to receive an invitation in popular fields. Subclass 189 rewards a combination of youth, advanced qualifications, strong English and substantial skilled experience.

You must nominate an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list and hold a positive skills assessment from the designated assessing authority for that occupation. You must be under 45 when invited to apply, demonstrate at least competent English, and score the minimum 65 points on the points test - though in practice you need far more to be invited.

Points are awarded for age, English proficiency, skilled employment experience in Australia and overseas, educational qualifications, study in a regional area, accredited community language skills, and a skilled partner. Health and character requirements apply to you and all included family members. Because the cut-off in popular occupations is competitive, accurately calculating your score before submitting an Expression of Interest is essential.

Start by confirming your occupation is on the relevant skilled occupation list, then obtain a skills assessment from the assessing authority for that occupation - note that bodies like ACS may deduct two to four years from your IT experience when calculating relevant work history, which directly affects your points.

Next, sit an English test if you have not already, and calculate your points carefully. Submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect, claiming only points you can fully evidence.

Entering the EOI does not guarantee an invitation. The department runs periodic invitation rounds and issues invitations to the highest-ranked candidates in each occupation. If you are invited, you have 60 days to lodge the full visa application with supporting documents proving every claimed point.

The department then assesses the application, verifies your skills assessment, qualifications and experience, and arranges health examinations and police checks for your family. False or unverifiable claims can lead to refusal. Once granted, subclass 189 confers permanent residence from the date of grant.

The visa application charge for the primary applicant is several thousand Australian dollars, with separate charges for a partner and each dependent child. Before you even lodge, budget for the skills assessment fee, which varies by assessing authority, and the cost of English testing, which you may need to repeat to lift your score. Health examinations and police certificates are payable for every family member. Skilled employment evidence sometimes requires paid reference verification. If you use a registered migration agent, professional fees are an additional, often significant, cost.

Two timelines matter for subclass 189. The first is the wait between submitting an Expression of Interest and receiving an invitation - this depends entirely on your points score relative to other candidates in your occupation and can range from weeks to over a year. The second is processing of the lodged visa application itself, which the Department of Home Affairs handles within its published global processing times. A complete, well-evidenced application that needs no further information requests moves through fastest.

Subclass 189 grants permanent residence immediately, so there is no provisional period and no settlement obligation tied to a region or employer. On arrival you can enrol in Medicare, access the full range of resident banking and credit products, and your children can attend public school as residents.

You are free to live and work anywhere in Australia, change jobs at will, and start a business. After meeting the residency requirements - generally four years of lawful residence including a period as a permanent resident - you can apply for Australian citizenship. Permanent visas include an initial five-year travel facility; once that expires you apply for a Resident Return visa to maintain the right to re-enter Australia. Many new arrivals also register with a tax agent in their first year to navigate Australian income tax and superannuation.