By Oz Unpacked · Updated
The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is a permanent visa for invited skilled workers. It lets you live and work anywhere in Australia, without an employer sponsor or state or territory nomination.
To be considered, you need an occupation on the relevant list, a suitable skills assessment, at least competent English and a points score of at least 65. You submit an expression of interest (EOI) through SkillSelect and wait to see whether you are invited to apply. An invitation is not guaranteed, even if you meet the minimum score.
Finding the occupation that matches your work on the 189 list is a useful first step. It identifies the authority that assesses your skills and helps you work out what evidence you need. From there, you can build a clearer picture of your points, costs and timing, whether you are planning from overseas or already in Australia.
At a Glance
| Question | Subclass 189 points-tested stream |
|---|---|
| Is it permanent? | Yes. The visa lets you stay in Australia indefinitely. |
| Do I need a job offer? | No employer sponsorship or job offer is required for this stream. |
| Do I need state nomination? | No. This is an independent skilled visa. |
| What is the minimum points score? | 65 points. It is the minimum to be considered; it does not guarantee an invitation. |
| Is there an age limit? | You must be under 45 when invited to apply. |
| Can I apply from overseas? | Yes. You can submit an expression of interest from inside or outside Australia. |
| What is the government application charge? | From A$6,135 for the main applicant at 31 October 2026; additional applicant charges and limited concessions may apply. |
What the 189 Visa Lets You Do
The subclass 189 is a permanent visa. It allows you to stay in Australia indefinitely and work and study there. It also gives eligible holders access to Medicare, the ability to sponsor eligible relatives and, if they meet the requirements, the opportunity to apply for Australian citizenship.
You can choose where to make your home. That freedom can be useful if you want to compare jobs in different cities or move closer to family after you arrive. Professional registration or licensing may still be needed to work in a particular occupation, even after a visa is granted.
The visa includes a five-year travel facility from the date of grant. Permanent residence allows you to remain in Australia indefinitely, but if you leave after that travel facility expires, you will need an appropriate travel facility to return as a permanent resident. Our guide to Australian permanent residency explains travel, healthcare and other practical benefits in more detail.
Who Can Apply for a Subclass 189 Visa?
The points-tested stream is for skilled workers invited by the Australian Government. The main requirements to consider are:
- Occupation: Your nominated occupation must appear on the relevant skilled occupation list for the 189 points-tested stream.
- Skills assessment: You need a suitable assessment for that occupation from the relevant assessing authority, subject to the accepted medical and legal registration provisions explained below.
- Age: You must be under 45 at the time of invitation.
- English: You must have at least competent English at the time of invitation.
- Points: You need at least 65 points and must be able to substantiate the points in your invitation.
- Invitation: You must submit an expression of interest and receive an invitation before lodging the visa application.
- Other requirements: Health, character and other applicable visa requirements must also be met.
Your job title alone is not enough to establish the right occupation. The description and assessment requirements for the occupation should reflect your work and qualifications. Depending on the occupation, its assessing authority may require particular qualifications, employment evidence or other evidence.
Step 1: Check Your Occupation and Skills Assessment
The Home Affairs skilled occupation list shows whether your occupation is available for the 189 points-tested stream and identifies its assessing authority. It is worth reading that authority's guidance before paying for an assessment, as the documents, cost, process and expected time can differ between occupations.
Your evidence should describe what you actually did. It may include qualifications and transcripts, as well as employment records such as contracts, detailed references and pay evidence where the assessor requests them. If you trained or worked outside Australia, your evidence can form part of an assessment, but it still needs to meet the relevant authority's criteria. An overseas qualification or familiar job title is not, by itself, confirmation of a positive assessment.
Arrange a suitable skills assessment before you submit your EOI, and make sure it is valid when you are invited to apply. It generally must be no more than three years old at invitation; if the assessment has a shorter validity period, it must still be within that period. If you already have an assessment, check which visa it was issued for: a provisional assessment for a subclass 485 visa is not suitable for this points-tested visa. If your assessment relies on an Australian qualification obtained while you held a student visa, the course must be CRICOS-registered. Certain medical practitioners can use specified Australian medical registration as evidence, while barristers and solicitors can use admission to practise in an Australian state or territory. Check the precise conditions on the official visa page.
Your preparation list: It helps to note your nominated occupation, assessing authority, required documents and expected assessment timeframe in one place. Keep the expiry dates of your assessment and English evidence handy too, as you may need to renew them while waiting for an invitation.
Step 2: Work Out Your Points
SkillSelect calculates an indicative score from your EOI. Points can come from age, English, skilled employment, qualifications, partner circumstances and other eligible factors. You will need evidence to support every claim when you apply.
Age and English points
Age at invitation gives you 25 points at 18–24, 30 points at 25–32, 25 points at 33–39 or 15 points at 40–44. For English, competent scores 0, proficient 10 and superior 20 points.
Competent English is required, even though it adds no points. Citizens of Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States who hold a valid passport from that country can demonstrate competent English; extra proficient or superior points need the evidence specified for those levels. Approved test and score rules changed on 7 August 2025. Home Affairs' current table sets out the rules for your test date and format. Tests taken entirely at home online are not accepted. Assessing and registration authorities may set separate English requirements.
Points for skilled employment
Eligible work must be paid skilled employment in your nominated or a closely related occupation, in the 10 years before invitation. Home Affairs defines employed work as at least 20 paid hours a week.
| Eligible skilled employment | Overseas work | Australian work |
|---|---|---|
| Less than one year | 0 | 0 |
| At least one but less than three years | 0 | 5 |
| At least three but less than five years | 5 | 10 |
| At least five but less than eight years | 10 | 15 |
| Eight years or more | 15 | 20 |
A positive skills assessment does not necessarily mean every year you have worked can count towards points. Your assessment may identify when your employment is considered skilled, so check the dates and duties before adding up your claim. Keep employment references and evidence of pay and hours for that period.
You can claim a maximum of 20 points across Australian and overseas employment combined. Australian work must also meet the relevant visa and visa-condition rules.
Points for qualifications
| Qualification | Points |
|---|---|
| Recognised doctorate | 20 |
| Recognised bachelor degree or higher qualification | 15 |
| Australian diploma or trade qualification | 10 |
| Qualification or award recognised as suitable by the relevant assessing authority | 10 |
Only your highest eligible qualification counts in this category. Overseas awards must meet the recognised standard, and your assessing authority may assess comparability. Your award and transcripts form part of the evidence to keep with your assessment.
Partner points: 0, 5 or 10
| Circumstances | Points |
|---|---|
| You are single, or your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident | 10 |
| Your partner applies with you and meets the skilled-partner requirements | 10 |
| Your partner applies with you and has competent English | 5 |
| None of these categories applies | 0 |
These categories are alternatives. For the 5 English points, your partner does not need a skills assessment. If your partner also has an eligible occupation and can meet the requirements, compare their possible points as the main applicant too. For 10 skilled-partner points, the partner must apply with you, be under 45 at invitation, have competent English, nominate an occupation on the same relevant list and hold a suitable skills assessment. They cannot already be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. The five-point category also requires the partner to apply with you and not already hold Australian citizenship or permanent residence. A relationship-status change during processing can affect the single/Australian-partner category.
Other points you may be able to claim
| Eligible circumstance | Points | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Australian study requirement | 5 | Eligible Australian degree, diploma or trade qualification meeting the study requirement. |
| Regional Australian study | 5 | Must meet Australian study rules and regional residence/campus criteria; distance study does not count. |
| Specialist education | 10 | Eligible Australian research master's or doctorate with at least two academic years in specified science, technology, engineering, mathematics or ICT fields. |
| Professional Year in Australia | 5 | Eligible Accounting, ICT or Engineering program meeting provider, occupation and timing rules. |
| Credentialled community language | 5 | Requires a qualifying interpreting or translating credential from the recognised Australian authority. |
Each factor has its own conditions. The official points table in the resources below explains each condition before you add a claim to your EOI.
A worked example: how the points add up
For example, a 30-year-old with superior English, a recognised bachelor's degree, five years of eligible overseas skilled work and an applying partner with competent English could score 80 points: 30 + 20 + 15 + 10 + 5. In practice, the applicant must prove each claim, and 80 points does not guarantee an invitation. A partner who meets the skilled-partner criteria may fit the 10-point category instead of the five-point category.
What does 65 points really mean?
Sixty-five is the minimum score needed to be considered for an invitation. It does not guarantee one: the score needed can vary with the occupation and the places available. When EOIs have the same score, Home Affairs uses the date and time each EOI reached that score as a tie-break. Previous invitation rounds can give you context, but they cannot tell you when you will be invited.
A simple worksheet can help you bring this together before submitting your EOI. List each category, the points claimed and the supporting document, then check which claims can be combined and how employment is counted.
Step 3: Submit an Expression of Interest
Once you understand your occupation, assessment, English evidence and points, submit an expression of interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. You can do this from Australia or overseas, and there is no fee for submitting an EOI.
Before submitting, compare your EOI answers with your assessment, test results and employment documents. Keeping a copy of your claims will make them easier to revisit if your circumstances change.
An EOI puts you in the pool to be considered for an invitation. It is not a visa application and does not give you a bridging visa. If you are in Australia, keep track of your current visa’s expiry date and conditions while you wait. Home Affairs says that when applying onshore you must hold a substantive visa or Bridging visa A, B or C for it to process the application. If you hold, or last held, a subclass 491 or 494 as your substantive visa, a three-year holding rule also applies; check how it affects your timing.
Keep your EOI up to date as your circumstances change—for example, if you gain work experience, complete a qualification or need to renew your English or assessment evidence. You can update it before an invitation, but it is frozen during the invitation period. An EOI can remain in SkillSelect for up to two years. If you receive two invitations and do not apply after either, it is removed. A second invitation is not guaranteed.
Step 4: Receive an Invitation and Apply
If you receive an invitation, you have 60 calendar days to apply, and Home Affairs says this period cannot be extended. It helps to record the deadline straight away and compare the invited points score with the evidence you can provide. Your invitation states the points score you must be able to meet when your visa application is assessed; you must also meet the other requirements.
This is why it helps to prepare evidence early. A practical document folder might include:
- Passport and identity documents for each applicant.
- Your skills assessment or applicable accepted registration evidence.
- English evidence and documents supporting each points claim.
- Employment and qualification records relevant to your claims.
- Relationship and dependent-child evidence where applicable.
- Health, police and other documents requested for your circumstances.
Check the official document list and instructions for your application. If your evidence does not support the invited score or you do not meet the requirements, Home Affairs says not to apply on that invitation. Consider advice from a registered migration agent, an Australian legal practitioner or another person authorised to provide immigration assistance.
You must be under 45 when invited. If you turn 45 after receiving the invitation, Home Affairs says you can still apply. If you turn 45 while waiting and have not been invited, you will not be invited for this stream.
How Much Does the 189 Visa Cost?
As at 31 October 2026, Home Affairs lists the main applicant's government visa application charge as A$6,135, with concessions in limited circumstances. From 1 July 2026 a lower charge applies to eligible citizens of specified Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste who lodge a valid application. Additional family members applying with you attract their own charges.
Visa charges for partners and children
The standard first instalment for a subclass 189 points-tested application, as at 31 October 2026, is:
| Person included in the application | Government visa charge |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | A$6,135 |
| Additional applicant aged 18 or over, such as a spouse or partner | A$3,070 each |
| Additional applicant under 18 | A$1,540 each |
For example, a main applicant and partner would normally budget A$9,205 for the first instalment. With one child under 18 the total is A$10,745; with two children under 18 it is A$12,285. These examples assume the standard charges, all family members apply together, and no concession applies. They do not include payment surcharges, a possible second instalment or the other costs below. An eligible dependent child who is 18 or over is charged at the adult rate.
Eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste applicants may qualify for reduced first-instalment charges: A$5,030 for the main applicant, A$2,515 for an additional applicant aged 18 or over and A$1,260 for one under 18. Eligibility depends on the primary applicant's passport and the rules in force when a valid application is lodged.
English and the second instalment: An additional A$4,885 may apply to an eligible family applicant who was aged 18 or over at application and is assessed as having less than functional English. Home Affairs asks for this second instalment before grant when it applies. This is different from the main applicant's competent-English visa requirement and from the partner-English points category. The estimator and other charges should be checked for your household before applying.
You may also need to budget for:
- Skills assessment and, where needed, professional registration.
- English testing, translations and document preparation.
- Health examinations, police certificates and biometrics where required.
- Professional assistance, if you choose to use an authorised adviser.
The official Visa Pricing Estimator can help with the application charge, but Home Affairs says it excludes the second instalment and other costs. Current quotes for assessments and tests will help you plan, as the total for a household can be considerably more than the main applicant's visa charge.
How Long Does the 189 Visa Take?
The visa processing time is only part of the overall timeframe. Before you can lodge an application, you will need to arrange your skills assessment, prepare your evidence and submit an EOI. You may then spend time waiting for an invitation, which does not have a guaranteed date.
Home Affairs’ published processing times describe recently decided visa applications, so they do not include the preparation and invitation stages. They can give you an idea of how long the application stage may take, but they cannot predict the timing of your individual case.
You can also check the department’s processing priorities and the lodgement dates currently being assessed. These can differ for onshore and offshore applicants and priority sectors, so it helps to keep your supporting documents ready in case more information is requested.
If you are approaching your 45th birthday, the date that matters is when you are invited. Lodging an EOI before your birthday does not preserve your eligibility if the invitation arrives after you turn 45.
Can Your Partner and Children Come With You?
You can include eligible members of your family unit in your visa application, either when you lodge it or after lodgement and before a decision. Family members applying must meet applicable health and character requirements. The department may also require information or checks relating to family who are not accompanying you.
Relationship evidence and children's documents can take time to gather, especially if records come from more than one country or parental consent is needed. Each additional applicant also affects the visa budget. If eligible family members are included and are also granted permanent visas, they become permanent residents too. Relatives joining later need an appropriate visa of their own.
How Does the 189 Compare With the 190 and 491?
| Visa | Main pathway | Visa type |
|---|---|---|
| 189 Skilled Independent | Invitation without state or territory nomination or employer sponsorship | Permanent |
| 190 Skilled Nominated | State or territory nomination and invitation | Permanent |
| 491 Skilled Work Regional | State or territory nomination or eligible family sponsorship, with regional requirements | Provisional; a separate permanent pathway may be available if its requirements are met |
The right comparison starts with your occupation and circumstances. State and territory nomination criteria differ and can change. The 491 also carries regional living and work conditions. You can explore more than one pathway, but check the requirements for each rather than assuming that eligibility for one transfers to another.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for the 189 visa from outside Australia?
Yes. You can submit a SkillSelect EOI from overseas and, if invited and otherwise eligible, apply from outside Australia. Start with the relevant occupation and assessing authority, then gather the qualifications, employment and English evidence needed for your claims. Requirements for proving competent English depend on your passport or accepted test evidence; extra English points have their own evidence requirements.
Do I need a job offer or employer sponsor?
No. The points-tested 189 does not require employer sponsorship. You still need an eligible occupation, a suitable skills assessment, an invitation and the other visa requirements. If your occupation is regulated, investigate professional registration separately when planning to work.
Is 65 points enough to get an invitation?
It is enough to meet the minimum points threshold, provided your claims are valid, but it does not guarantee an invitation. Look at Home Affairs' published invitation-round information for context, review the points you can support, and consider other eligible visa pathways alongside the 189.
Does a 189 EOI give me a bridging visa?
No. An EOI tells Home Affairs you want to be considered for an invitation. It is not a visa application and does not give you a bridging visa. If you are in Australia, check when your current visa expires and your options for staying lawfully while you wait. A bridging visa may be considered after a valid visa application, depending on your circumstances.
Can I apply without a skills assessment?
For most applicants, you need a suitable skills assessment from the authority for your occupation, valid when you are invited. Arrange it before submitting your EOI and check its expiry date while you wait. Home Affairs accepts specified medical registration or legal admission as evidence in some cases; check the conditions on the official visa page.
Does my partner need a skills assessment?
Not for the 5 points available for an eligible partner with competent English. For the 10 skilled-partner points, your partner needs a suitable skills assessment and must meet the other requirements described above. The categories are alternatives, not points you add together.
Does a 189 visa lead to citizenship?
The 189 gives you permanent residence if it is granted. Citizenship may be an option later if you meet the residence and other requirements. Our Australian permanent residency guide explains the difference and the things to consider when planning time overseas.
Can I include my family?
You can include eligible members of your family unit in the application, including after lodgement but before a decision. They must meet applicable requirements, and additional charges apply. Collect relationship, identity and children's documents early so your family application is ready within the invitation period.
Is the New Zealand stream still open?
The separate subclass 189 New Zealand stream closed to new primary applicants on 1 July 2023. The points-tested and Hong Kong streams have different requirements. New Zealand citizens should look at the current official information relevant to their circumstances rather than assuming that the closed stream is still available.
Your Next Steps
Your occupation and assessing authority are a good place to begin. From there, you can list the documents you can obtain, note when your evidence expires and use the official points table to check each claim. Comparing your options before submitting an EOI can also help you plan. If the 189 looks suitable, preparing early can make the 60-day application window easier to manage.
Official Resources and Source Notes
Information reviewed 31 October 2026. Visa rules, fees, processing information and occupation lists may change. The sources below explain the current rules and provide the tools referred to in this guide.
- Home Affairs: subclass 189 points-tested stream, eligibility and application steps
- Migration Regulations 1994: subclass 189 application charges, item 1137
- Home Affairs: visa fees and charges (check current amounts before applying)
- Home Affairs: subclass 189 points table
- Home Affairs: skilled occupation list and assessing authorities
- Home Affairs: skills assessments
- Home Affairs: functional English
- Home Affairs: competent English evidence
- Home Affairs: proficient English and superior English
- Home Affairs: submitting an expression of interest
- Home Affairs: changing visas and bridging visas
- Home Affairs: SkillSelect invitation rounds
- Home Affairs: visa processing times
- Home Affairs: visa pricing estimator
- Home Affairs: Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
- Home Affairs: Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)
- Home Affairs: closure of the New Zealand stream
This article provides general information to help you research your options; individual circumstances can affect eligibility. For immigration assistance, use someone authorised to provide it.
