Skilled Independent Subclass 189
The Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa is an option for immigration to Australia for skilled workers who do not have sponsorship from an employer or family member in Australia or a State or Territory. It is an Australia PR Visa that permits skilled workers to reside, work, and study in the nation, subject to fulfilling the eligibility criteria per the framework for assessment of skills.
The Subclass 189 Visa allows holders to travel from and to Australia multiple times within five years of visa approval. The visa permits you to enroll in any healthcare scheme in Australia. A permanent residency visa also allows you to stay indefinitely in Australia. You can also sponsor your relatives to come to Australia through this visa. You can also include your family members in your Skilled Independent Subclass 189 visa application.
To apply for an Australia Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa, you must score at least 65 points on the Australia 65 Points Calculator. You must also submit an EOI (expression of interest) and receive an ITA (invitation to apply) from SkillSelect. Once you receive the ITA, you have 60 days to submit your visa application. You must submit all the necessary documents to support claims made in your profile while submitting the EOI.
Once you receive the Australia Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa, you and your accompanying family can reside, study, and work in Australia as PRs, or Permanent Residents.
Do I apply from overseas or in Australia?
You can be overseas or in Australia when applying for a Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa. After you apply from within Australia, you will be offered a bridging visa, which allows you to stay in Australia while your visa application is processed. You must have a bridging C, B, or A visa or a substantive visa to file your application from within Australia.
What Are the Benefits of the Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa?
The Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa offers all the benefits of an Australia PR Visa to you and your accompanying family members, including:
- Stay and work in Australia for an indefinite period.
- Studying in Australia is an option.
- Enroll in the state-run healthcare scheme of Australia, Medicare.
- Opportunity to apply for citizenship in Australia.
- Sponsor relatives for a permanent residency visa in Australia.
- You can travel from and to Australia any number of times.
How Do I Obtain a Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa?
Stage 1: Determine whether your profession is on the SOL (Skilled Occupation List).
The Subclass 189 visa is available only for individuals who can fill a position on the SOL.
Stage 2: Ensure you fulfill all the eligibility requirements.
To apply for the Subclass 189 visa, you must fulfill several requirements, the most essential of which are:
- Be below 45 years of age.
- Have minimum skills in English.
- Fulfill the character and health requirements.
- Agree to sign the Statement of Australian Values.
Stage 3: Complete a Skills Assessment
You must complete an assessment for skills and score the required points to qualify for the Subclass 189 visa. The score must be as per the specification on your letter of invitation (stage 5).
Stage 4: Submit an EOI (Expression of Interest) through Skill Select Australia
In the next stage, you must submit an EOI through Skill Select. The Australian Skill Select program will have several queries regarding your skills, background, and applicable employment history. Your EOI will be visible to authorities in Australia and employers as well, who might be seeking to hire candidates with similar skill sets. You will be invited to apply for a Subclass 189 visa if your EOI fulfills the visa requirements and you obtain a sponsor or nomination.
Stage 5: Obtain a government nomination or identify a sponsor.
The Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa requires you to receive a nomination from a territory or state government or sponsorship from a family member or employer in Australia. After you obtain the appropriate sponsor, you will receive the ITA for the visa from them.
This program connects qualified, skilled workers with employers seeking skilled overseas workers. You can find an employer through the Select Skill program if you do not have a qualified relative or employer for the sponsorship. You can also receive a territory or state government nomination through Skill Select.
Stage 6: Get your sponsor to complete the essential paperwork.
After you get a sponsor, you must ask them to nominate you for the Subclass 189 visa. Often, you can apply for this visa at the same time your sponsor files their nomination application. Employers can submit the nomination application online through DHA.
Stage 7: Apply for the Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa
Once you identify an employer and receive the nomination, you can apply online for the Subclass 189 visa with the DHA.
Stage 8: Await the verdict
The DHA can take several months to declare its verdict on your Subclass 189 visa application.
Stage 9: Obtain your visa and begin working in Australia.
Once the DHA approves your application, you will receive your Skilled Independent Subclass 189 visa. You can then begin to work in Australia.
Check your eligibility now.
How are the points allocated for the Skilled Independent Subclass 189 visa?
The Subclass 189 Visa's point allocation is based on the profile you have submitted in the EOI. The EOI captures extensive details about your skills, occupation, qualifications, etc. Skill Select will rank you based on the points you score using this submission against contending immigrants in the program. The minimum score required to qualify for the application is 65 points.
Your profile in Skill Select will be allocated points as per the information that you have submitted in the EOI for the following criteria:
Age
Only applicants above 18 and below 45 years of age at the time of receiving the ITA qualify for the Subclass 189 visa.
| Points | Age |
| 25 | 18-25 years |
| 30 | 25-33 years |
| 25 | 33-40 years |
| 15 | 40-45 years |
English Skills
You must demonstrate adequate skills in the English language through your score on tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or OET.
| Points | English Proficiency |
| 0 | Competent |
| 10 | Proficient |
| 20 | Superior |
Education
The points for education are allocated based on your highest educational qualification compared to suitable Australian credentials.
| Points | Qualification |
| 20 | Doctorate |
| 15 | Bachelor's or Master's Degree |
| 10 | Diploma |
| 10 | Qualification or Award for a Skilled Occupation |
Experience
If it applies to the SOL, you will also be allocated points for your experience.
Skilled Overseas Employment
| Points | Experience |
| 0 | Less than three years |
| 5 | 3 to 4 years |
| 10 | 5 to 7 years |
| 15 | Minimum Age: 8 Years |
OR
Skilled Employment in Australia
| Points | Experience |
| 0 | One year or less |
| 5 | 1 to 2 years |
| 10 | 3 to 4 years |
| 15 | 5 to 7 years |
| 20 | Minimum Age: 8 Years |
Partner Skills
The Government of Australia can consider the skills of your partner or spouse for the allocation of 5 extra points to you if your partner or spouse:
- Is it below the age of 45 years?
- Has competent skills in the English language.
- Is assessed and found to possess skills relevant to the occupation nominated under SOL?
- Is she not a citizen or PR visa holder in Australia? Is it possible for you to immigrate to Australia?
Eligibility Criteria for the Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa
The Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa has extensive and specific eligibility criteria that you need to fulfill to apply for and receive this visa:
- You must receive an ITA for the Subclass 189 visa and submit an EOI to declare your intentions to apply for this visa.
- You must receive a nomination from a state government or Australian Territory agency for the Subclass 189 visa.
- You can apply for the visa only if your nomination follows the specified guidelines.
- When you receive the ITA for the Subclass 189 visa, your age must be under 45.
- You must declare that you have the appropriate skills as specified by the authority for skills assessment in Australia while applying for the Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa.
- You will be required to fulfill the criteria for English language skills demonstrated through applicable scores in the test for the English language.
- You must score at least 65 points in the submitted EOI to qualify for the Subclass 189 visa.
- You must possess the skill or occupation specified in the SOL for the Subclass 189 visa.
- You must fulfill the character and health requirements specified by the DHA for the Subclass 189 visa. It also applies to your family, whom you have included in this visa application.
- You must not have any outstanding debts or dues owed to the Government of Australia.
- Your previous Australia Visa applications must not have been canceled or rejected.
Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa: English Requirements
You are required to have specific mandatory skills in the English language for the Subclass 189 visa, which can be demonstrated through results from any of the below tests:
| Required Score | Test |
| Minimum of six for each of the four components | IELTS: International English Language Testing System |
| The minimums are 13 for reading, 12 for listening, 18 for speaking, and 21 for writing. | TOEFL iBT: Test of English as a Foreign Language, an internet-based test |
| Each of the four components must receive at least 50 points. | PTE Academic: Pearson Test of English Academic |
| Minimum B for each of the four components | OET (Occupational English Test) |
| A minimum score of 169 in each of the four components | Cambridge C1 Advanced test |
Document Checklist for Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa
Documents are vital in approving your application for a Subclass 189 visa. Given below is the checklist of documents required for submitting the visa application:
- Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa Application Form
- Two color passport-size photos
- Identification proof
- Test scores for English skills
- Educational credentials documents
- Report for skill evaluation
- Documents demonstrating abilities
- Letter of reference from employer/s
- Certificate of Character allotted by the Department of Police
- medical check-up certificate
- Proof for the Australian study requirement and documents to demonstrate evidence of study, if applicable
- Proof of proficiency in English for the partner
- Evidence for the status of the relationship
- Any other documents requested by the DHA during the process