Subclass 189

Subclass 189: Skilled Independent Visa - Points Tested Stream

Subclass 189 visa is an independent points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or family member or nominated by a state or territory government to work, study and live permanently in Australia.

With this visa, you can:

  • Live and study/work full-time in Australia
  • Apply for Medicare
  • Sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
  • Bring your Immediate family with you to Australia permanently
  • Apply for Citizenship, once you are eligible. 

Subclass 189 - Point Tested Stream Eligibility

To be eligible for a Subclass 189 - Point Tested Stream, you must: 

You must be under 45 when the Department invites you to apply for the visa.

You can still apply for the visa if you turn 45 after the Department invites you.

Your occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List.

You can only apply for this visa if the Department invites you.

To do this, you must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to let the Department know that you would like to apply for the visa. After you have submitted an EOI, the Department will rank you against other applicants for an invitation.

For your application to be valid, you must have a valid skills assessment at the time of invitation from a relevant skills assessment body.

Generally, you must have obtained your skills assessment three years before the date of your invitation.

However, If the assessment validity was for a shorter period, that period must not have passed.

Delegates of the Minister will now accept a suitable skills assessment for an applicant’s nominated skilled occupation which has been obtained within the 60 day invitation period.

When you submit your EOI in SkillSelect, you will be given an indicative points score. If you do not obtain a score of 65 points, you will not be invited to apply for this visa.

At the time of invitation, you must have at least competent English.

You and family members aged 16 years and over who apply for the visa with you must meet the Department’s health and character requirements.

Steps to apply for a Point Tested Visa

Something else ?

    FAQ

    We are happy to answer
    any queries you may have

    How does Subclass 189 and 190 differ?

    Subclass 190 requires sponsorship from a State or Territory Government and the visa subclass 189 does not.

    Do I need to be in Australia to apply for the visa?

    You can either be in Australia or overseas when you apply for a Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa, as long as you are not in immigration clearance.

    Can I apply for Subclass 189 directly?

    No, you must receive an invitation from the Department of Home Affairs through the SkillSelect portal to apply for a Subclass 189 visa. 

    Do I have to pay extra for dependents with less than Functional English?

    You might have to pay an extra charge (second instalment) for any applicant 18 years old or older who has less than functional english.

    The second instalment charge for family members is AUD4,885.

    How long can I stay in Australia with this visa?

    This is a permanent visa. It lets you stay in Australia indefinitely. The visa has a travel component that expires 5 years after the date of visa grant.

    When does the visa travel validity expire?

    After 5 years, you will need a Resident Return (RRV) visa (subclass 155 or 157) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.

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