1. Visa Overview

-Visa Name: Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

-Type: Permanent residency visa that does not require employer sponsorship or state/territory nomination. Once granted, holders may live, work, and study anywhere in Australia.

-Eligible Applicants: Skilled workers whose occupations are in demand in Australia, including eligible New Zealand citizens and holders of Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passports.

-Important Notice: The Subclass 189 New Zealand Stream permanently closed on 1 July 2023 and no new applications can be lodged under this stream.

2. Application Process & EOI

-To apply for a Subclass 189 visa, applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect.

-The EOI includes information about  education, work experience, English proficiency, age, and other relevant factors. These details are used to calculate your points.

-Only applicants who receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) during an invitation round may proceed to lodge a visa application.

-Invitation rounds are held periodically based on occupation ceilings and ranking scores.

3. Points Test System

Subclass 189 applicants must meet the migration Points Test requirements. The Department’s official Points Table outlines how points are awarded.Note: Meeting the minimum score of 65 points does not guarantee an invitation. Applicants with higher competitive scores are more likely to receive an invitation.

4. Occupation Requirements & Skills Assessment

-The applicant’s nominated occupation must be on the official Skilled Occupation List (SOL).

-A positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority is generally required to confirm that the applicant’s skills meet Australian standards.

Further Information

For additional visa information not covered here, please refer to the Department of Home Affairs website:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-independent-189