The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is a permanent residency visa designed for highly skilled international workers who want to live and work anywhere in Australia. Because this visa is entirely independent, you do not require sponsorship from a state, territory, or employer. Once granted, you can stay in Australia indefinitely, access Medicare, sponsor eligible family members for permanent residency, and apply for Australian citizenship when eligible.
What Does the Subclass 189 Visa Offer?
Live, work, and study anywhere in Australia without restriction.
Immediately enroll in Australia’s public healthcare scheme for comprehensive health services.
Travel in and out of Australia as frequently as you like for five years from the visa grant date. After five years, a Resident Return Visa (RRV) can be secured to maintain travel rights.
2026 Stream Realities & Eligibility Criteria
The legislative framework for the Subclass 189 visa features key structural realities:
Important Stream Update: The legacy New Zealand stream of the Subclass 189 visa was permanently closed to new applications. New Zealand citizens living in Australia can transition directly to Australian citizenship after meeting basic residency guidelines without needing this permanent visa.
To qualify for the active Points-Tested Stream, you must meet the following baseline legal conditions:
You must be under 45 years of age at the time the official invitation to apply is issued.
Your profession must be actively listed on the relevant Skilled Occupation List (SOL).
You must hold a valid, positive skills assessment from the authorised assessing body for your specific profession.
You must submit a valid EOI via SkillSelect and score a minimum of 65 points to be entered into the selection pool.
You must prove a competent command of English, which equates to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 (or a PTE Academic score of 50) with no individual band lower than the minimum threshold.
You must clear comprehensive medical checks and international police character clearances.
Competitive Invitation Reality vs. Minimum Requirements
While the legal minimum score required to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) is 65 points, the Subclass 189 visa stream remains fiercely competitive. The actual points required to secure an invitation vary based on current workforce demands:
Highly in-demand occupations like carpenters, electricians, and plumbers can often secure direct invitations at the baseline 65 points.
Critical positions like Registered Nurses, General Practitioners, and Secondary School Teachers typically receive invitations around 75 points.
Competitive fields like Software Engineering, Tech Specialties, and Telecommunications Engineering frequently require 95 to 100 points due to the high volume of qualified candidates in the pool.
How to Apply for the Subclass 189 Visa
- Verify Your Occupation: Confirm your profession matches an eligible code on the current federal Skilled Occupation List.
- Secure Your Skills Assessment: Apply to your professional authority (such as ACS, Engineers Australia, or CPA) and obtain a positive assessment outcome.
- Take an English Language Test: Sit a certified exam (like PTE Academic or IELTS) to achieve your target score and secure crucial extra points.
- Calculate and Submit Your EOI: Lodge a comprehensive Expression of Interest through the official government SkillSelect system.
- Await an Invitation Round: The Department of Home Affairs conducts periodic invitation rounds. If selected, you will receive an official Invitation to Apply (ITA).
- Lodge Your Visa Application: You have exactly 60 days from the date of invitation to upload your certified documentation, pay the base application charge (starting from AUD 4,910), and finalise your submission.
Disclaimer: The AUD 4,910 base fee covers only the primary applicant's government visa charge. It excludes costs for skills assessments, English tests, medical exams, police checks, or dependent family members. All fees, minimum points thresholds, and immigration rules are set by the Department of Home Affairs and are subject to change.