🇦🇺 Australia · Permanent Residency
Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent
Points-tested permanent residence visa for skilled workers. No employer sponsor or state nomination required — candidates lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect and receive an Invitation to Apply based on their points score. Nomination-free, globally competitive.
- Scoring
- Points-based
- Timeline
- 6mo–1yr
- Est. cost
- $5K
- Category
- Permanent Residency
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Subclass 189, Skilled Independent, is Australia's flagship points-based permanent residence visa. No employer sponsor, no state nomination, no regional commitment. You lodge an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect, and if your points score is competitive in invitation rounds, you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for the actual visa.
The pass mark is 65 points but invitation rounds in 2024-2026 have routinely required 80-95+ points. The base levers are age, English, education, work experience, and STEM. Superior English (IELTS 8.0 / PTE 79+) adds 20 points and is the single biggest move available to most candidates. STEM specialisation adds 10. Postgraduate Australian study and partner skills add more.
Once invited, you apply for the visa itself, which gives you and your family permanent residence, work for any employer, live anywhere in Australia, access Medicare. After 4 years on PR (with 1 year as a citizen-track resident) you can apply for Australian citizenship.
Is this visa for you?
A strong fit if you…
- You're under 45, have a bachelor's or higher, 3+ years of skilled work experience, and your occupation is on the MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List).
- You can credibly hit 80+ points, typically a strong English score, postgraduate qualification, STEM background, and skilled work history.
- You want PR without an employer or state tie, with the flexibility to live and work anywhere in Australia.
- You're not in a hurry, 189 is competitive and invitation rounds can take months or years to invite candidates below 90 points.
Look elsewhere if you…
- You're 45 or older. Age 45+ is a hard gate, no exceptions.
- Your occupation isn't on the MLTSSL. STSOL and ROL occupations don't qualify for 189; you'd need 190 (state-nominated) or 491 (regional).
- Your points score is below 75. Recent rounds rarely invite below 75 even in low-volume occupation categories. Strengthen the score before lodging or pivot to 190/491.
Key requirements
- Nominated occupation on the MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List)
- Positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority
- Points score ≥ 65 (passmark); invitation rounds typically require 80–95+
- Under 45 years of age at time of invitation
Eligibility, in plain English
Age under 45 at invitation
Hard cap, you must be under 45 at the date of invitation, not just at lodgement of the EOI. Each age band has different points: under 25 = 25 pts, 25-32 = 30 pts (the maximum), 33-39 = 25 pts, 40-44 = 15 pts. From 45+ you can't be invited at all.
Occupation on the MLTSSL
189 is restricted to occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List. STSOL (short-term) and ROL (regional) occupations don't qualify for 189, they qualify for 190 or 491. Check your occupation's ANZSCO code and confirm MLTSSL eligibility before lodging an EOI.
Positive skills assessment
Required from the assessing authority for your occupation (Engineers Australia for engineers, ACS for IT, CPAA/CA for accounting, ANMAC for nurses, etc.). Each authority has its own process, typically 4-12 weeks and AUD 500-1,500. Skills assessment is required before lodging the EOI, not after invitation.
Points score competitive at invitation rounds
Pass mark is 65 but you need 80+ realistically to receive an invitation in current rounds. Points come from: age (max 30), English (max 20), education (max 20), Australian/overseas experience (max 15-20), STEM specialisation (10), partner skills (10), professional year (5), community language (5).
Superior English, the biggest lever
IELTS 8.0 in all bands or PTE 79+ all sections, Superior English, adds 20 points. Proficient (IELTS 7.0 / PTE 65) adds 10. Competent (IELTS 6.0 / PTE 50) adds 0. Moving from Competent to Superior is the single biggest legal action most candidates can take.
Education and experience
Education: doctorate (PhD) = 20 pts, master's or bachelor's = 15 pts, diploma = 10 pts. Skilled employment: 8-10 years overseas = 15 pts, 5-7 years = 10 pts, 3-4 years = 5 pts. Australian work experience scores additionally, 1 year = 5 pts, up to 20 pts for 8+ years.
EOI to invitation timeline
After lodging an EOI in SkillSelect you sit in the pool waiting for invitation rounds. Rounds happen monthly (sometimes bi-monthly). High-points candidates can be invited within weeks; lower-points candidates can wait years or never be invited. The pool refreshes; older EOIs are not prioritised over newer ones at the same score.
How the application actually goes
- 01
Skills assessment
Apply to the relevant assessing authority for your occupation. For engineers: Engineers Australia (CDR pathway for non-accredited graduates, around 12 weeks). For IT: ACS, typically 4-10 weeks. Each authority has its own documentation requirements and fees.
4-12 weeks
- 02
English test
Sit IELTS Academic (UKVI), PTE Academic, OET, TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge C1/C2. Aim for Superior band. Multiple retakes are common, the 20 points difference between Competent and Superior is worth weeks of preparation.
2-8 weeks prep + test booking
- 03
Lodge an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect
Submit the EOI online via SkillSelect with your claimed points score. The EOI is free at this stage. You can update the EOI as your points change (birthday, English retest, new qualifications).
Same day after prep
- 04
Wait for invitation
Invitation rounds happen monthly. Candidates with the highest points are invited first; ties broken by date of effect. High-points candidates (90+) often invited in 1-2 rounds; mid-points (75-85) can wait 3-12 months or longer; below 75 may never be invited in current settings.
1 month to indefinite
- 05
Lodge the visa application
Once invited, you have 60 days to lodge the actual visa application with documents and fees. Department of Home Affairs processing typically takes 6-18 months. During processing you can be in Australia on a temporary visa or outside.
6-18 months
- 06
Receive PR and start using it
On grant, you and your family receive permanent residence. Work for any employer, live anywhere, access Medicare. After 4 years on PR (with 1 year as citizenship-eligible resident) apply for Australian citizenship.
What it costs
Skills assessment fee
Depends on assessing authority
AUD 500-1,500
English test fee
Per attempt
AUD 350-450
Visa application fee (primary)
From 1 July 2024
AUD 4,640
Visa application fee (dependant 18+)
AUD 2,320
Visa application fee (dependant under 18)
AUD 1,160
Health examinations
AUD 350-500 per person
Police checks
AUD 50-200 per country
Migration agent fees (optional)
Many candidates DIY
AUD 3,000-8,000
Total typical cost (single, with agent)
AUD 8,000-15,000
Common pitfalls
- Lodging the EOI with overstated points. The skills assessment, English test, and other claimed points must be evidenced at invitation. If you can't substantiate, the invitation is refused and the EOI sits.
- Underestimating the English score impact. Moving from Competent to Superior is 20 points, often the difference between waiting two years and being invited next month.
- Filing without the skills assessment. The EOI can be lodged with the intention to assess, but the visa application after invitation requires a positive assessment. Don't lodge an EOI months before you have the assessment in hand.
- Confusing the MLTSSL with STSOL. Many tech, finance, and engineering roles are on MLTSSL; many marketing, business, and admin roles are not. Verify the ANZSCO code and current list status before counting on 189.
- Treating the 65-point pass mark as the actual threshold. Invitation rounds have run at 80-95+. Building points to 75 and lodging an EOI is fine but expect a long wait or no invitation.
- Letting the EOI sit unmaintained. If you turn an age that drops your points, update the EOI immediately, stale EOIs at low points are effectively dead.
Consider these instead
AU
Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated
If your points are 5-10 below 189 rounds but you can secure state nomination, 190 adds 5 points and invitation rounds are typically lower.
Read more →
AU
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)
Regional nomination adds 15 points and rounds are dramatically more accessible, at the cost of a 3-year regional commitment before transitioning to PR via 191.
Read more →
AU
Subclass 482 — Temporary Skill Shortage
If 189 points are far off, employer-sponsored 482 (4-year stream with PR pathway via 186) is a realistic path that doesn't depend on points.
Read more →
Frequently asked
What points do I actually need for 189 invitation?
Pass mark is 65 but recent rounds have invited at 80-95+. Healthcare and other priority occupations sometimes see lower cutoffs. Plan to clear 85 points for a realistic invitation timeline; 75-80 means a long or indefinite wait.
How long does the whole 189 process take?
Skills assessment 1-3 months, English test 1-2 months, EOI to invitation 1-24+ months depending on points, visa application 6-18 months. Total: 12-36+ months from starting prep to grant.
Can I include my family in 189?
Yes. Spouse/partner and dependent children apply together. Each dependant has a separate visa application fee. Partner skills can also contribute points (if your partner does their own skills assessment and English test).
Do I need an Australian job offer?
No. 189 is independent, no sponsor required. You can be living and working anywhere in the world when you apply. Many 189 applicants haven't visited Australia before being granted PR.
What's the difference between 189, 190, and 491?
189 = no nomination, MLTSSL only, highest points requirements. 190 = state-nominated, MLTSSL/STSOL/ROL, adds 5 points, can be required to live in nominating state. 491 = regional-nominated, adds 15 points, requires 3 years regional residence before PR via 191.
Can I apply for citizenship after 189?
Yes. After 4 years of residence in Australia (with at least 1 year as a PR), you can apply for citizenship. 189 grants PR from day one, so the clock starts at grant, though time spent in Australia before grant on other visas can also count toward residence requirements.
What happens if my English isn't Superior?
Most viable strategy: retake the test. PTE Academic is often easier than IELTS to hit Superior on. Even one retake to lift you from Proficient (10 pts) to Superior (20 pts) is often the highest-ROI action available, 10 points can be a year or more of waiting saved.
Other Australia visas
Permanent Residency
Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated
Points-tested permanent residence visa requiring a nomination from an Australian state or territory government. State nomination adds 5 points to your score; each state publishes its own occupation lists and requirements for nomination.
Permanent Residency
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)
Five-year provisional visa for skilled workers nominated by a state/territory to live and work in a regional area of Australia. Regional nomination adds 15 points — significantly boosting scores. After 3 years of regional residence and work, eligible to apply for permanent residence via Subclass 191.
Work Visa
Subclass 482 — Temporary Skill Shortage
Employer-sponsored temporary work visa allowing Australian businesses to fill skills gaps with overseas workers. Streams: Short-term (2 years, limited renewal), Medium-term (4 years, pathway to PR), and Labour Agreement (negotiated with Home Affairs). Most professional roles fall under the Medium-term stream.
Permanent Residency
Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)
Permanent residence visa for skilled workers nominated by an approved Australian employer. Three streams: Direct Entry (skills assessment + experience), Temporary Residence Transition (3 years on 482 with same employer), and Agreement stream (Labour Agreement). Leads directly to permanent residence.
Permanent Residency
Subclass 124 — Distinguished Talent
Permanent residence visa for individuals with an internationally recognised and distinguished record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in their field. No employer sponsor or state nomination required. Covers arts, sport, academia, and the professions. A recommending organisation provides the mandatory recommendation.
Business / Investor
Subclass 188 — Business Innovation & Investment (Provisional)
Provisional visa for business owners and investors with significant capital, nominated by a state or territory. Streams include Business Innovation (own/manage a business), Investor (AUD 1.5M+), Significant Investor (AUD 5M+), and Entrepreneur. Leads to permanent residence via Subclass 888.
Ready when you are
Find your immigration path.
Pick where you're headed. We score you against every visa we cover in that country.
1 of 4 selected.
Show me my matches, free→