Skilled Independent subclass 189 visa allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia permanently without sponsorship. Apply now with the help of Search Education migration experts.
Skilled Independent subclass 189 visa is a points-tested visa that allows skilled workers to live and work permanently in Australia without sponsorship from an employer, a state or territory government, or a family member. Some of its benefits are:
To qualify for the 189 visa, one must meet the following requirements:
The fees for applying for the 189 visa depend on the number of applicants and visa streams, but generally:
| 189 visa streams | Fees for primary applicant | Fees per secondary applicant | |
| Over 18 | Under 18 | ||
| Points-tested stream | From AUD 6,135.00 | From AUD 3,070.00 | From AUD 1,540.00 |
| New Zealand stream (VAC1) | From AUD 850.00 | From AUD 425.00 | From AUD 210.00 |
| New Zealand stream (VAC2) | From AUD 3,390.00 | From AUD 1,695.00 | From AUD 850.00 |
| Hong Kong stream | From AUD 6,135.00 | From AUD 3,070.00 | From AUD 1,535.00 |
| Hong Kong stream (VAC2) | From AUD 4,885.00 | - | - |
189 visa processing time depends on factors such as application volume, individual circumstances, and updates to immigration policies. But generally:
| 189 visa streams | Processing time |
| New Zealand stream | 50% processed in 53 months, 90% processed in 61 Months |
| Point-tested stream | 50% processed in 7 months, 90% processed in 8 Months |
Note: It will take additional time if you missed any information or failed to fulfil requirements. Check the DoHA official processing times for more info.
The step-by-step guide for the 189 visa application process is outlined below:
Step 1: Confirm that your occupation is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
Step 2: Get your skills assessed by an appropriate assessment authority. You must obtain a positive skills assessment for the 189 visa.
Step 3: Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect (the Australian Government's online system for skilled migration programs).
Step 4: If your EOI is approved, the Department of Home Affairs will send you an invitation to apply for the 189 visa, with a 60-day deadline to submit your application.
Step 5: Gather all the required documents and apply for the 189 visa within that 60-day timeframe.
The Skilled Independent subclass 189 visa is one of Australia's most sought-after permanent residency pathways for skilled workers. However, meeting the eligibility requirements, calculating your PR points accurately, and submitting a competitive application requires careful planning.
At Search Education, our MARA-registered migration agents provide personalised guidance on skills assessments, points test calculations, Expression of Interest (EOI) submissions through SkillSelect, and every step of the subclass 189 visa application process.
Book a consultation today and let our experts help you maximise your chances of a successful subclass 189 visa application.
Yes, you can add your family members to the 189 visa application if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Note: You can only include your partner or spouse and dependent children in your visa application. Primary applicants' parents aren't considered to be part of the family unit by the DoHA. As a result, you can’t include your parents in your 189 visa application, except for your dependent children or spouse.
Yes, you must provide a positive skills assessment before applying for the 189 visa. You may need to have your skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority to qualify for a Skilled Independent 189 visa.
Yes, you can travel in and out of Australia for five years from the date your 189 visa was granted. But after five years, if you want to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident, you must apply for a Resident Return Visa (subclass 155 or 157).
Yes, you can either apply from overseas or within Australia. However, if you apply from Australia (onshore), you must hold either a substantive visa or a Bridging visa A, B, or C. Otherwise, DoHA will not process the application.
For the 189 visa, 70 points may be sufficient. However, if your occupation is in a competitive field like IT, accounting, or engineering, you need higher points to stay ahead. The more points you score, the higher the chance of being invited to apply for the Australia 189 visa.
Yes, IELTS is the most common requirement for the 189 visa. However, IELTS is not the only option to showcase your English language proficiency. Several other IELTS alternatives are available, such as TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and other tests. If you are selecting IELTS, you must score at least 6.0 overall to apply for this visa.
The rejection rate is around 30%, and the success rate is around 70% for the 189 visa. The rejection rate is most likely due to failing to meet the eligibility criteria or missing or inaccurate documents.
The Skilled Independent subclass 189 visa is for highly skilled overseas workers to fill skill shortages. This means you don’t need to be sponsored by an Australian employer, a family member, or the Australian state or territory government.
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