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V I S A A I D

189 Visa Australia — Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)-Points Tested Stream

Latest Update: The Department of Home Affairs confirmed the next subclass 189 invitation round takes place before 30 September 2026.

The 189 visa (Skilled Independent visa) is Australia’s most sought-after visa for skilled workers because it provides permanent residence without requiring sponsorship from an employer, state or eligible family member.

The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) offers two pathways to permanent residence:

  • Points-Tested Stream – for eligible skilled workers invited through SkillSelect.
  • New Zealand Stream – for eligible New Zealand citizens who meet the specific requirements.

VisaAid provides expert assistance for both streams, helping you determine the right pathway and manage your application from start to finish.

Successful applicants can:

  • Live in Australia permanently
  • Work for any employer
  • Study anywhere in Australia
  • Access Medicare
  • Sponsor eligible family members
  • Apply for Australian citizenship when eligible

Book Your Eligibility Assessment

189 Visa -Points Tested Stream- Eligibility Requirements

  • Your nominated occupation must be on the 189 occupation list (MLTSSL) 
  • You require a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation 
  • You need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect and score at least  65 points on the skilled migration points test 
  • You require at least Competent English
  • You must receive an invitation to apply for this visa
  • You must be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation 
  • You must be able to provide evidence of all the points claimed.
  • You must meet Australian health and character requirements

How the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) Process Works

 

Obtaining a Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) involves several important steps. VisaAid guides you through each stage to ensure your application is accurate, complete and submitted on time.

Step 1 – Check Your Eligibility

Firstly, you must confirm that you meet the basic 189 Visa- Points Tested Stream- eligibility requirements. This is the most important step of your 189 Visa process. As a part of these requirements, you must have a nominated occupation that appears on the MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List)  — the primary occupation list for the subclass 189 visa. 

At VisaAid we conduct a thorough initial assessment of your 189-visa eligibility — reviewing your qualifications, work experience, English language ability and overall circumstances to establish whether you meet the relevant requirements. As part of this assessment, we identify which MLTSSL occupation best suits your profile and whether you are likely to receive a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority. You then receive clear, comprehensive advice on your ability to meet the minimum standards the Department requires for an invitation to apply.

Step 2 – Obtain a Skills Assessment

Next step is to obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation. The Department of Home Affairs designates one assessing authority per MLTSSL occupation — only an assessment from the correct authority satisfies the EOI requirement. This assessment confirms that your qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards. Use our skills assessment form to confirm the right authority for your occupation and begin your assessment inquiry.

At VisaAid we prepare and lodge your skills assessment application with the correct assessing authority for your nominated occupation. We provide you with a complete list of the information and documents needed, and lodge your application with the assessing authority.

Step 3 – Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

Then, you need to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, providing details of your qualifications, work experience and points claim. It is not a visa application, but a request to be considered for an invitation to apply for the Subclass 189 visa. Your EOI will remain in the invitation pool for up to two years. VisaAid prepares and lodges your EOI in SkillSelect, ensuring your points are claimed correctly. 

Step 4 – Receive an Invitation

If your EOI is competitive and selected during an invitation round, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for the Subclass 189 visa.

Step 5 – Lodge Your Visa Application

After receiving your invitation, you have 60 days to submit your complete visa application with all supporting documents, including your skills assessment, English test results and identity documents.

Step 6 – Visa Decision

The Department of Home Affairs assesses your application. If approved, you will be granted permanent residence, allowing you to live, work and study anywhere in Australia.

Want to know if your points score is invitation-ready?

VisaAid's consultants calculate your points.

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How Many Points Do You Need for a 189 Visa?

To be eligible for the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189), you must score at least 65 points under Australia’s skilled migration points test. However, 65 points alone rarely attracts an invitation in competitive occupations. In many occupations, invitations are issued only to applicants with significantly higher points.
 
Once you submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, it is ranked against other applicants in your nominated occupation based on your claimed points score. Applicants with higher points are generally ranked ahead of those with lower scores. If multiple applicants have the same points score, the Department uses the date the EOI reached that score (known as the ‘tie-break date’ or the ‘date of effect’) to determine priority, with earlier EOIs ranked ahead.
 
During invitation rounds, the Department invites the highest-ranked eligible applicants, taking into account available places, occupation demand and government priorities. Check the latest invitation rounds  to see what score currently attracts invitations in your specific occupation.
 
Important: Your points score is based entirely on the information you claim in your EOI. You must be able to provide evidence supporting every claim—such as your skills assessment, English language test results, qualifications and skilled employment—when you are invited to apply. Incorrect or unsupported claims may result in your visa application being refused.
 
Calculate your score using our Skilled Visa Points Test Table

The 189 Visa Points Table

Use the Skilled Visa Points Test Table  to calculate your full score. Points apply across the following categories:

 

After you receive an invitation to lodge your Subclass 189 Visa Application?

Can You Apply for the 189 Visa in Australia or Overseas?

You can submit your EOI from anywhere in the world — inside or outside Australia. When you lodge your actual visa application, you can also be in Australia or overseas.  To lodge your application from within Australia, you must hold a substantive visa or a Bridging visa A, B or C at the time of lodgment. Once you lodge, the Department automatically issues a bridging visa that lets you remain lawfully in Australia while your 189 visa application processes. 

Important: If the Department refuses or cancels your current visa, you may lose the right to lodge a 189 visa application while you remain in Australia. Speak to a VisaAid migration consultantimmediately if your current visa is at risk.

 

189 Visa Cost — Department of Home Affairs Fees

 The 189 visa cost (Visa Application Charge) is from AUD 6,135 for the main applicant. Additional costs apply for each family member included in the application. Budget also for skills assessment fees, English test fees, health examination fees and AFP check fees — these are separate from the Department’s application charge.

Verify the current fee on homeaffairs.gov.au before publishing — visa application charges update on 1 July each year.

 

After your Subclass 189 Visa grant

The subclass 189 visa is a permanent residence visa. Once the Department grants it, you can: 
  • Stay in Australia indefinitely with no conditions or employer obligations 
  • Work and study anywhere in Australia in any occupation or field 
  • Enrol in Medicare — Australia’s health care scheme covering health-related care and expenses 
  • Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence in Australia 
  • Travel to and from Australia freely for 5 years from the date of grant 
  • Apply for Australian citizenship once you meet the citizenship residency requirement
Every family member the Department grants the visa to receives identical rights — permanent residence, full work and study rights, Medicare access and the same 5-year travel facility.
 

 

How Long the 189 Visa Lasts

The subclass 189 visa is permanent — it carries no expiry date and lasts indefinitely. The visa takes effect from the date the Department grants it. 

Travel Rights

Your 189 visa includes a 5-year travel facility from the date of grant — you can travel in and out of Australia as many times as you like during this period. After the 5 years expire, you must hold a valid Resident Return Visa (subclass 155 or 157) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident. Apply for your Resident Return Visa before your travel facility expires to avoid disruption to international travel.

How VisaAid Helps With Your 189 Visa

VisaAid’s registered migration consultants manage every stage of your subclass 189 visa application:

  • Obtaining your skills assessment from the right assessing authority
  • Preparing and lodging your EOI in SkillSelect
  • Lodging and monitoring your visa application
  • All correspondence with assessing authorities and the Department of Home Affairs until grant
  • Managing bridging visas for you and your family members Book a free immigration consultation for a personalised eligibility assessment of your 189 visa application.

From the 189 Visa to Australian Citizenship

After your 189 Visa grant, you can apply for Australian citizenship after meeting the citizenship residency requirement (generally 4 years of lawful residence including at least 1 year as a permanent resident).

NOTE: The information provided is general in nature and should not be considered migration advice. As every individual’s circumstances are different, we recommend contacting VisaAid for personalised advice.

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