Overview
Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) is a permanent skilled visa with no employer or state sponsor required. PR from the date of grant.
Defining features:
- Points-tested: age, English, experience, education, supplementary factors.
- Highly competitive — invitation quotas are limited, prioritised by score.
- Occupation must appear on the Skilled Occupation List for 189.
Detailed legal content (full SkillSelect points breakdown, Pro Rata occupations, round-by-round cutoffs) is being updated. Book a consultation to score your profile.
Key eligibility
- Under 45 at time of invitation
- Positive skill assessment for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List
- Competent English minimum (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent)
- Reach the SkillSelect points cutoff (60 minimum; in practice much higher)
- Submit Expression of Interest and receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
- Meet health and character requirements
Process
- 01
Skill assessment
Apply to the relevant assessing authority for your occupation (VETASSESS, ACS, Engineers Australia, AHPRA, etc.). Results valid 3 years.
- 02
English test
IELTS / PTE / TOEFL / OET / Cambridge — aim for Competent, Proficient or Superior to maximise points.
- 03
Submit EOI
Submit your Expression of Interest via SkillSelect — free, expires after 2 years.
- 04
Receive ITA and apply
When your points meet the round cutoff for your occupation, you receive an ITA — 60 days to lodge the visa.
Estimated cost
| Department of Home Affairs fee (per immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) | AUD 6,135+ |
| VisaAffairs service fee | Quoted after initial consultation |
| Third-party costs (health, AFP check, translations, etc.) | Varies by case |
How VisaAffairs helps
Clear eligibility assessment
VisaAffairs reviews your full situation against current rules — no boilerplate templates.
Document set reviewed item-by-item
Every piece of evidence is checked before lodgement — minimising the risk of request for further information.
Case officer tracking
VisaAffairs monitors ImmiAccount and responds to case officer requests on time.