Skilled Immigration 189
The Skilled-Independent visa (subclass 189) is a permanent residence visa for points-tested skilled workers who want to work and live in Australia.
To be able to apply for this visa you need to submit an expression of interest and then be invited through SkillSelect to apply.
Visa Summary
• this points-based visa is for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, a state or territory, or a family member
• a visa holder can live and work permanently anywhere in Australia
• certain family members can be included in the application
How this visa works
To be able to lodge a valid application for this visa you need to first submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect. You can do this from Australia or from any other country.
Basic requirements
There are basic requirements you must meet to apply for this visa. You must:
• be invited to apply
• be younger than 50 years of age when you are invited to apply
• nominate an occupation that matches your skills and qualifications and is on the relevant skilled occupation list
• have your skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority as suitable for your nominated occupation
• have at least competent English
• score at least 60 on the points test
• meet the health and character requirements
Visa Requirements: Applications are by invitation only. To be invited to apply, a person must:
• submit an Expression of Interest
• have an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list •
have a suitable skills assessment for that occupation
• be less than 50 years of age when the invitation is issued
• meet the English language requirements
• be able to score at least 60 on the points test
Requirements after applying for visa
Priority processing arrangements apply to this visa. They determine the order in which the department considers applications regardless of when they have been lodged. After you have lodged a valid visa application, you will receive a letter of acknowledgement. Your application will be allocated to a case officer and be assessed according to the priority processing arrangements. You will be informed that you have a case officer and be provided with an email address for all future correspondence. The department may make a decision on your application, based on the information you provide. They may also request additional documentation. Any requested documents must be attached online. If you lodged an application for this visa and a case officer has not told you that processing has begun, refer to the current allocation dates.
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