Subclass 189 Visa Guide: Skilled Independent PR in Australia

Subclass 189 Visa for Skilled
Independent Permanent
Residency in Australia
The Subclass 189 visa is Australia's points-tested permanent residency visa for
skilled workers who do not need an employer, state, or territory to sponsor them. It
grants permanent residence from the date of grant, no provisional period, no state
commitment, no regional obligation. You can live and work anywhere in Australia
from day one.

In 2026, the Subclass 189 visa remains the most prestigious pathway in Australia's
General Skilled Migration program, but it is also the most competitive. The minimum
points score to enter SkillSelect is 65, but real invitation data from the June 2026
round confirms that most competitive occupations now require 85 to 95 points to
receive an invitation. Understanding the gap between meeting eligibility and actually
getting invited is the most important thing any applicant can know before lodging an
Expression of Interest.
What Is the Subclass 189 Visa?
The Subclass 189 visa, formally known as the Skilled Independent visa, is a
permanent residency visa under Australia's General Skilled Migration (GSM)
program. It is points-tested and invitation-based. Applicants submit an Expression of
Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, are ranked by points score, and receive an
Invitation to Apply (ITA) when their score is competitive enough within their
nominated occupation.
Detail
Information
Visa Name
Skilled Independent Visa - Subclass 189
Visa Type
Permanent Residence, granted on day of visa
grant
Minimum Points
65 points (invitation threshold typically 85–95+
in 2026)
Age Requirement
Under 45 at time of invitation
Occupation Requirement
Must be on the MLTSSL at time of invitation
Visa Application Fee
AUD $4,640 (primary applicant, 2026)
Processing Time (50% of cases)
Approximately 5 months from lodgement
Processing Time (90% of cases)
Approximately 12 months from lodgement
EOI Validity
2 years from date of submission
Sponsor Required
No, fully independent
Source: Department of Home Affairs May 2026 processing data. The EOI itself is
free to submit, costs only arise once you receive an invitation and choose to lodge a
full visa application.

Subclass 189 Visa Eligibility Requirements in
2026
To be eligible for the Subclass 189 visa, you must satisfy all of the following criteria
at the time you receive your invitation, not just at the time you submit your EOI.
Eligibility is assessed at invitation date, and any change in circumstances between
EOI submission and invitation can affect your application.
● Age: Under 45 years of age at the time you receive your Invitation to Apply
● Occupation: Your nominated occupation must appear on the Medium and
Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) at the time of invitation, not just at
EOI submission.
● Skills Assessment: A positive skills assessment from the designated
assessing authority for your nominated occupation, Engineers Australia, ACS,
VETASSESS, AHPRA, AITSL, TRA, or another recognised body. The
assessment must be valid at the time of invitation.
● English Language: At least Competent English, IELTS 6.0 in each of the four
bands, or equivalent PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, or Cambridge C1
Advanced scores.
● Points Score: Minimum 65 points on the SkillSelect points test. In practice,
most competitive occupations required 85–95+ points for invitations in 2026
rounds.
● Health and Character: Your family members must also pass Australian
health checks and present a police certificate to be eligible for application.
One Common Misunderstanding: Getting 65+ points makes you eligible for your
EOI to enter the SkillSelect queue. It doesn’t ensure you’ll be invited – eligible EOIs
are ranked by points, with invitation going to the top points earners for your chosen
occupation.
Skilled Independent Visa Points Test: How
Scoring Works in 2026
Points are calculated across several categories when you complete your EOI. The
table below shows all categories and the maximum points available in each.
Category
Detail
Max Points
Age
25–32 years receives maximum points
30
English Language
Superior English (IELTS 8.0+ each band)
scores highest
20
Skilled Employment -
Overseas
3–8+ years of skilled employment
overseas
15

Skilled Employment -
Australian
1–8+ years of skilled employment in
Australia
20
Educational
Qualifications
Doctorate, Masters, or Bachelor degree
20
Australian Study
Requirement
2+ years full-time study in Australia
5
Specialist Education
Qualification
Masters by Research or Doctorate from
Australian institution
10
Partner Skills
Partner holds skills assessment and
Competent English
10
State or Regional
Nomination
Not applicable for Subclass 189
0
Professional Year
Completed Professional Year in Australia
5
NAATI Accreditation
Community language accreditation
5
The maximum points score is 130. However, reaching 85 to 95 points is the realistic
competitive target for most engineers and ICT professionals in 2026. Superior
English (20 points) and Australian skilled employment (up to 20 points) are the two
most achievable high-value boosters for overseas professionals already working or
studying in Australia.
Australian PR Visa Application Process: Step
by Step
The Subclass 189 visa application follows a structured sequence. Skipping or
rushing any step creates delays that are difficult to resolve once your invitation clock
starts running.
● Step 1: Confirm your nominated occupation is on the MLTSSL and identify
the correct ANZSCO code for your background.
● Step 2: Submit your skills assessment with the specified assessing authority.
Most likely that this will be Engineers Australia, ACS, VETASSESS, AHPRA
or TRA depending on whether you are an engineer or an ICT professional.
Processing takes 6–12 weeks for most bodies.
● Step 3: Sit an English language test, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic,
TOEFL iBT, OET, or Cambridge C1 Advanced. Book early as test centres fill
quickly.
● Step 4: Ensure you are confident of your points score. Lodge your Expression
of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect as soon as you qualify, as your date of EOI

submission is your tiebreaker should any two candidates be allocated the
same score..
● Step 5: Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Invitations are issued in monthly
or bi-monthly rounds. Your EOI remains active for 2 years from submission.
● Step 6: Upon receiving your ITA, you have 60 days to lodge your full visa
application through ImmiAccount and pay the AUD $4,640 application fee.
● Step 7: Undertake complete medical examinations with a panel physician
approved by the AHPRA and secure a police certificate from Australia, and
from any other country in which you have lived for a cumulative period of 12
months or more during the last 10 years.
● Step 8: Await visa decision. Based on Department of Home Affairs May 2026
data, 50% of applications are finalised within approximately 5 months of
lodgement.
Applications lodged at that decision-ready point of completion, where the skills
assessment is complete, the medical examination is finalised, and all supporting
documents are attached are invariably turned around much more quickly.
Skilled Independent Visa Fee and Cost
Breakdown in 2026
The application fee for the Subclass 189 visa is determined by the Department of
Home Affairs and is subject to periodic change. The headline application fee for the
main applicant in 2026 will be AUD $4,640. Extra fees apply for each other applicant
included in the application.
Applicant Category
Visa Application Charge (2026)
Primary applicant (main applicant)
AUD $4,640
Secondary applicant aged 18 or over
AUD $2,320
Secondary applicant under 18
AUD $1,160
In addition to the visa application fee, costs may also consist of:skills assessment fee
(between $300 and $1,498, depending on assessment body and pathway)english
language test ($300-400)medical test expensespolice certificate charges. A family of
four should budget AUD $12,000–$15,000 for the total Subclass 189 migration
process including all associated costs.