Introduction
The Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa is the flagship permanent residency pathway for skilled workers who do not require state sponsorship. Unlike the 190 or 491 visas, a 189 visa grants you freedom to live and work anywhere in Australia without state nomination. To qualify, you must accumulate at least 65 points under the points test and have your occupation on the skilled occupation list. This guide breaks down the points system and what it takes to succeed.
Understanding the Points Test
The 189 visa operates on a points-based system where you accumulate points across several categories. Reaching 65 points makes you eligible; higher points improve your chances in the competitive assessment process.
Age: The largest points category. Applicants aged 25–32 receive the maximum 30 points. This decreases to 25 points for ages 33–37, 15 points for 38–44, and 0 points for 45 and over. This severe cliff at 45 years of age is one reason many skilled migrants prioritise their applications earlier rather than later.
English Language Proficiency: Up to 20 points. Competent English (IELTS 6.0 overall minimum across all bands) earns 0 points—this is the baseline. Proficient English (IELTS 7.0+) earns 10 points. Highly Proficient (IELTS 8.0+) earns 20 points. Note: If English is your native language and you hold a qualification from an English-speaking country (UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia), you’re deemed proficient automatically.
Qualifications and Skilled Assessment: Up to 20 points. A bachelor’s degree (assessed by the relevant skills-assessing authority as suitable for your occupation) earns 15 points. A postgraduate degree or other advanced qualification earns 20 points. This assessment must be positive and current.
Australian Work Experience: Up to 20 points. Each year of relevant work experience in Australia, at the same or equivalent skill level as your claimed occupation, earns 5 points. Four years of Australian work experience earns the maximum 20 points. This work must have occurred within ten years of your application.
Overseas Work Experience: Up to 15 points. Each year of relevant work experience outside Australia earns 5 points. Three years of overseas work earns 15 points maximum.
Partner Skills: Up to 10 points (or slightly more in certain circumstances). If your spouse or de facto partner holds a positive skills assessment and meets other criteria, they can contribute up to 10 points toward your application.
State Sponsorship: Up to 5 points. If nominated by a state or territory under the 190 visa, you receive 5 points. This does not apply to 189 applications.
Professional Year in Australia: Up to 5 points. Completing a professional year in a relevant occupation can contribute 5 points.
A typical scenario: A 28-year-old engineer with a bachelor’s degree (skills-assessed as suitable), proficient English (IELTS 7.0), and two years of work in Australia would score: 30 (age) + 10 (proficient English) + 15 (qualification) + 10 (2 years work in Australia = 10 points) = 65 points—exactly the minimum needed to apply.
Occupation List and Skills Assessment
Your occupation must appear on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), which is reviewed and updated periodically. If your occupation is not listed, you cannot apply for the 189 visa regardless of points.
Before calculating points, you must obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation. This assessment confirms that your qualifications and experience meet Australian professional standards. Engineers Australia, the Australian Computer Society, VETASSESS, and other approved bodies conduct these assessments.
Obtaining a skills assessment is not optional—it’s a prerequisite. The assessment process typically takes 4–12 weeks and costs between AUD$300–$1,000 depending on the body and occupation.
Applying for the 189 Visa
The application process involves:
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Creating an expression of interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, the Department of Home Affairs’ online system for skilled migration applications. Your EOI includes your occupation, points, and location preferences. You do not provide full documentation at this stage—just your profile.
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Receiving an invitation to apply (if selected). Home Affairs regularly invites EOI holders based on occupation demand, points, and invitation rounds. Invitations are typically issued to the highest-ranked (highest points) applicants in demand occupations. With 65 points, you’re eligible but not prioritised; invitations may take considerable time in competitive occupations.
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Submitting your full application within the invitation period (typically 60 days). At this stage, you upload all supporting documentation:
- Positive skills assessment certificate
- Qualifications (testamurs, transcripts, or equivalent)
- English language test results (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc.)
- Employment references and payslips (or employment contracts) documenting your work experience
- Police certificates from every country where you’ve lived more than 12 months in the past 10 years
- Health examination (if required)
- Passport and travel history
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Waiting for processing after submission. Processing times vary; some applications are finalised within weeks, others take several months depending on Home Affairs’ workload and the need for additional information.
The Invitation Challenge
A critical reality: reaching 65 points qualifies you to apply, but it does not guarantee an invitation. In competitive occupations—software engineers, accountants, nurses—thousands of applicants may have 65+ points. Home Affairs prioritises the highest-pointers in each invitation round. Applicants with 70–90 points are far more likely to receive timely invitations than those sitting at 65.
This is why many applicants increase their points before applying:
- Waiting a year or two if you’re young (age points increase again at certain thresholds)
- Gaining additional Australian work experience (5 points per year up to 20)
- Improving English proficiency (10 or 20 points depending on current level)
- Pursuing further qualifications (15–20 points)
In occupations with long waiting lists, 65 points may see you waiting 12+ months for an invitation. Understanding your occupation’s demand and typical invitation points is prudent before committing to an application timeline.
Permanent Residency and Future Plans
Once granted, a 189 visa is permanent. You can live, work, and study anywhere in Australia without restriction. You’re also eligible to sponsor family members under family reunion schemes and can apply for Australian citizenship after meeting residency and other requirements (typically 4 years for permanent residents, with additional conditions for citizenship eligibility).
The 189 visa is not time-limited; there’s no expiry date and no requirement to renew. However, to maintain your permanent resident status for citizenship eligibility, you must not spend more than 3 out of every 5 years outside Australia.
FAQ
Q: If I’m invited to apply for a 189 visa, am I guaranteed to be granted? A: No. An invitation means Home Affairs wants to assess your full application. However, they may request further evidence or conduct additional background checks. Character, health, or security issues discovered during processing can result in refusal even after an invitation.
Q: Can I improve my points and reapply if I’m not selected in the first invitation round? A: Yes. You can update your EOI with improved points (additional work experience, better English test results, etc.) and remain in the SkillSelect pool for future invitation rounds, or you can let your EOI expire and submit a fresh one later.
Q: If my occupation has very long waiting times at 65 points, is it worth waiting for more points or changing occupations? A: This depends on your circumstances. Some occupations never clear backlogs; if your timeline is pressing, investigating state-sponsored options (190 or 491) in occupations with lower demand might be faster.
Q: Can my partner’s skills assessment contribute if they’re not applying for a visa? A: Your partner’s skills can contribute partner points (up to 10) only if they’re an applicant in your application or have skills assessed and are eligible to apply. A partner not intending to migrate cannot contribute points.
Q: What happens to my 189 visa if I spend more than 3 out of every 5 years overseas? A: Your permanent resident status can be affected. Whilst the 189 visa doesn’t automatically cancel, future citizenship eligibility becomes complicated. If you anticipate extended overseas periods, discuss this with an immigration adviser beforehand.
Q: Is there any visa that lets me stay in Australia longer while waiting for a 189 invitation? A: If you’re on a temporary visa (such as a 485 graduate visa), you can continue working until it expires whilst waiting for a 189 invitation. If your temporary visa expires before an invitation arrives, you would need to transition to another visa or depart Australia.
Sources
- Department of Home Affairs. 189 Skilled Independent Visa — www.immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-independent-189
- Department of Home Affairs. Points Test for Skilled Independent Visa — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/applying/meeting-requirements/points-test
- Department of Home Affairs. Skilled Occupation List — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/applying/skilled-migration-points-test/occupations
- Department of Home Affairs. SkillSelect — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-independent-189/skillselect