189 Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) – Points-tested stream

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
Stream	Points-tested stream
Purpose	Permanent skilled migration
Stay	Permanent; indefinite stay
Main applicant cost	From AUD6,135
Apply from	Inside or outside Australia
Invitation timing	Apply within 60 days
Age requirement	Under 45 at invitation
Points requirement	At least 65 points
English requirement	Competent English at invitation
Skills assessment	Suitable assessment required
Work rights	Work anywhere in Australia
Study	Study anywhere in Australia
Medicare	May enrol in Medicare
Travel facility	Multiple travel for five years
Citizenship	Eligible after certain time
Family sponsorship	Sponsor eligible relatives
Family inclusion	Include family unit members
Visa record	Digitally linked to passport

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Purpose

The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) Points-tested stream lets invited skilled workers live and work permanently anywhere in Australia.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be invited to apply after submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect.
• Have an occupation on the relevant eligible skilled occupation list.
• Have a suitable skills assessment for your nominated occupation.
• Be under 45 when invited.
• Score at least 65 points in the points test.
• Meet the points score stated in your invitation.
• Have at least competent English at the time of invitation.
• Meet health and character requirements.
• Have repaid, or arranged repayment of, Australian Government debts.
• Sign the Australian Values Statement if aged 18 or older.

Your immigration history is considered. A cancelled visa or previous refusal might affect eligibility.

Skills assessment timing

Your skills assessment must generally:

• Be obtained within three years before invitation.
• Still be valid if issued for a shorter period.
• Be held when invited to apply.

A skills assessment obtained within the 60-day invitation period may be accepted.

For medical practitioners, specified Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency registration may be accepted. For barristers and solicitors, admission to practise law in an Australian state or territory may be accepted.

If applying in Australia

At application, you must hold:

• A substantive visa; or
• Bridging visa A (subclass 010);
• Bridging visa B (subclass 020); or
• Bridging visa C (subclass 030).

If you currently hold, or last held, a Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) or Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) visa, you must have held it for at least three years when applying.

You cannot be in immigration clearance when applying or when a decision is made.

Stay and travel

This is a permanent visa. You become an Australian permanent resident on the grant date.

The travel component lasts five years from grant. During that period, you may travel in and out of Australia as often as you wish.

After five years, you need a Resident Return visa (subclass 155 or 157) to return as a permanent resident.

For citizenship purposes, permanent residence begins:

• On visa grant, if you are in Australia; or
• On first entry on this visa, if outside Australia at grant.

Rights

With this visa, you can:

• Stay in Australia permanently.
• Work and study anywhere in Australia.
• Enrol in Medicare.
• Attend free Adult Migrant English Program classes, if eligible.
• Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence.
• Apply for Australian citizenship if eligible.

Newly arrived residents may need to wait before accessing some Government payments and benefits.

Family provisions

You may include members of your family unit:

• When lodging the application; or
• After lodgement but before a decision.

Family members applying must meet health and character requirements. Non-accompanying family members must meet character requirements and might need health checks.

If your partner or dependent children are not included, explain why.

Dependent children

A child may qualify if they are:

• Under 18; or
• Aged 18 to under 23 and dependent; or
• Aged 23 or older, dependent due to physical or cognitive limitations.

For a child under 18 migrating without a person with parental responsibility, provide consent, a court order, or evidence that home-country law permits migration.

Cost

The main applicant charge is AUD6,135. There is an additional charge for each family member included.

A second instalment of AUD4,885 may apply to an applicant aged 18 or older who cannot show functional English. Pay this only if requested before grant.

Other possible costs include:

• Health examinations
• Police certificates
• Biometrics
• Skills assessment

From 1 July 2026, eligible citizens of specified Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste may receive a lower visa application charge. Eligibility is identified through the primary applicant’s valid passport.

Application steps

1. Check eligibility — Confirm occupation, skills assessment, English, age and points.
2. Submit an EOI — Lodge through SkillSelect; there is no EOI fee.
3. Wait for invitation — Invitations depend on points and available places.
4. Apply within 60 days — The invitation period cannot be extended.
5. Apply online — Use SkillSelect’s “Apply for visa” link to access ImmiAccount.
6. Attach documents and pay — The application is not processed until paid.
7. Respond to requests — Provide health examinations, biometrics or further information if requested.

You can receive only two invitations. If you do not apply after the second invitation, your EOI is removed from SkillSelect.

An invitation does not guarantee visa grant.

Required documents

Provide documents supporting all EOI claims and eligibility criteria, including:

• Passport identity pages and national identity card, if available.
• Name-change evidence, if applicable.
• Skills assessment and evidence supporting claimed points.
• Competent English evidence.
• Employment evidence for claimed skilled work experience.
• Health examination results, if requested.
• Police certificates and character forms.
• Partner, child and dependency evidence, where applicable.
• Certified translations of non-English documents.

For employment points, provide evidence such as references, contracts, payslips, tax records, payment summaries or superannuation records.

Employment references must state employment dates, positions, duties, work status, salary and authorised contact details.

Character documents

Provide:

• An Australian Federal Police complete disclosure National Police Certificate if you spent 12 months or more in Australia during the last 10 years since turning 16.
• Overseas police certificates for each country where you spent 12 months or more during that period.
• Military records, if applicable.
• Form 80 and Form 1221.

Australian police certificates are valid for 12 months from issue.

Obligations and important warnings

• Provide accurate and complete information.
• Tell the Department promptly about mistakes or changes in circumstances.
• Stay lawful in Australia while the application is processed.
• Do not cancel your current visa if relying on a Bridging visa A; cancellation may make you unlawful and cease the BVA.
• Do not arrange travel, leave employment or sell your home if applying outside Australia until grant is confirmed in writing.
• Check that any visa held allows return to Australia before travelling.
• Obey Australian laws after grant.

If your application is refused, the visa application charge is not refunded.

Processing

Applications are prioritised under Ministerial Direction No. 119.

Applications being allocated for processing were generally lodged:

• As received: Australian law enforcement or defence interests.
• June 2026: onshore construction, healthcare and teaching occupations.
• January 2026: other onshore applications.
• November 2025: other offshore applications.

Actual processing times vary depending on application completeness, response times, checks, external-agency information and available migration-program places.

Use the visa processing time guide tool for a general indication.

Visa record

Your visa is digitally linked to your passport. No passport label is issued.

Use VEVO to check visa details, conditions and travel validity.

New Zealand passport holders

At border clearance, tell the officer that you hold a Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) and do not want a Special Category visa (subclass 444). A subclass 444 grant may cease your permanent visa and affect citizenship eligibility.