Australia Skilled Independent Subclass 189 visa is a point-based visa allows the candidates to live and work in the country permanently. This permanent residency visa stream is for skilled workers who don’t have a sponsorship from state/territory government or nomination from family members or accredited employer in Australia. In this page, get the complete information about eligibility criteria, processing time, cost, benefits of this visa.
Note : Skilled Regional Visa Subclass 489 is closed and has been replaced by Skilled Regional Subclass 491 visa.
Related Link : How to apply for Australia Skilled Nominated Subclass 190 Visa?
Interesting candidates have to meet below-given eligibility criteria to apply for the visa program.
a) Your occupation should be on Medium and Long-term Skills Strategic List (MLTSSL)
Your occupation should be available on the MLTSSL list of Australia. In case, if your occupation is not there on the list, you can select the closely related occupation. And, you need to have at least three years of work experience in your nominating occupation.
b) Points Eligibility System
Candidate’s eligibility is calculated on points-system which is based on factors – Age, Qualification, Work experience, English Langauge proficiency, other factors. The applicant has to score at least 65 points on the Australian Points Calculator to be eligiblle to apply.
c) English Langauge Proficiency
The minimum IELTS score for Australia permanent residency is 7 (10 points) and PTE score is 79 points in each module (writing, speaking, listening, and reading).
Check: IELTS requirement for Australia Immigration and Permanent Residency
d) Skill assessment
As per your profile, you have to get a skilled assessment done by an approving skill authority.
e) Pass the Skills assessment and receive the Invitation to apply (ITA)
You have to get your skills assessment done in your nominated occupation by the acknowledged accessing authority. You have to submit the Expression of Interest (EOI) through the online Skill Select program. If your profile get noticed by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) then you may receive the Invitation to apply (ITA). In order to be eligible to apply, candidates have to score at least 65 points on Australia points calculator. However;to increase the success rate of your visa ,you have to score highest points on the points system. Higher the points, higher will be the chances of getting selected.
e) Other major requirements
Besides the above-mentioned prerequisites, you have to fulfill all the other requirements that are being mentioned in this segment:
It is a multi-stage visa process and goes in a proper symmetric manner. Check out the complete process to apply for this permanent residency visa process:
Initially, you should be confident about your occupation featured on the Medium and Long-term Skill Strategic List (MLTSSL). And, in addition to that, you must have work-experience and qualification related to your occupation.
You should fit in the process of this visa and must meet the eligibility requirements which are mentioned above.
You must get a positive skills assessment by the approved authority for your nominated occupation.
After receiving a positive skills assessment, you can submit the Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Skill Select Program. Skill Select is an online program used by the Immigration Department of Australia to select the right candidates based on the factors like Age, qualification, work experience, Language proficiency etc. Expression of Interest (EOI) will be examined by Australian authority as well as by accredited Australian employers, who want to hire skilled workers.
If you manage to score at least 65 points on the Australian Points Calculator and your profile meets the standards as set by the Australian labor market, then chances are high you might receive an invitation to apply (ITA). Once you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you can file the visa application. If outcomes are in your favor, you might receive an Australia visa.
The processing time varies depending on the below-given factors:
| Stream | 75% of applications processed in | 90% of applications processed in |
| Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189 | 11 months | 13 months |
The cost is decided when Department of Immigration Australia receives the application.
| Stream | Main applicant | Additional applicant charge ( 18 years and above) | Additional applicant charge (less than 18 years) |
| Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189 | AUD 4,045 | AUD 2,020 | AUD 1,015 |
Additional costs: you may have to pay for the police clearance , health exam and other important documents.
a) Police clearance certificate: This certificate states your moral conduct. You have to pay for the respective authorities where you have resided from last 12 months.
b) Health certificate: You have to pay full cost for your health exam. The health exam is valid for 12 months.
c) If documents are not available in the English language then you should get it translate it into the English language with the help of authorized accessing authority.
Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189 is the ideal visa for you if you have no sponsorship from Australia state/territory government or family members. This visa permits you to stay anywhere in Australia on a permanent basis. If you have plans to migrate to Australia, MakeVisas is the right counselor for you. We have the best team of counselors who are enriched with full-fledged information about Australia Immigration.
Fill out the free visa assessment form and our experts will get back to you shortly. Feel free to call on +919625212959 or email your queries at info@makevisas.com.
