The Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa is one of Australia’s most sought-after pathways to permanent residency for skilled workers. It offers the freedom to live and work anywhere in Australia without needing sponsorship from an employer or state. But as competition has increased in recent years, securing an invitation for the 189 visa now demands a strong points score and careful preparation. Understanding how the program works and what you need to qualify is essential to improving your chances of success.
What is the Subclass 189 Visa?
The Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa is a points-tested permanent residency visa designed for skilled workers who do not need sponsorship from an Australian employer, state, or territory government. This visa is ideal for applicants with qualifications and experience in occupations on Australia’s skilled occupation lists who want the flexibility to live and work anywhere in the country.
What does the Subclass 189 visa let you do?
✔ Stay in Australia indefinitely as a permanent resident
✔ Work and study anywhere in Australia
✔ Enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare
✔ Apply for Australian citizenship once eligible
✔ Sponsor eligible relatives to join you in Australia
Basic eligibility requirements include:
✔ Having an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
✔ Obtaining a suitable skills assessment for your occupation
✔ Meeting the minimum points requirement (65 points)
✔ Being under 45 years old at the time of invitation
✔ Meeting English language competency requirements
✔ Receiving an invitation to apply through SkillSelect after submitting an EOI
Processing times:
Processing times for the Subclass 189 visa can vary based on application complexity, supporting documents, and Department of Home Affairs workload. Recent estimates suggest many applications are finalised within 8 to 12 months, but delays are possible.
The Current Invitation Landscape
189 invitations are issued based on SkillSelect rankings. While the minimum required points to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) is 65, the practical threshold for an invitation is often much higher. For popular occupations like accountants, engineers, and ICT professionals, successful EOIs typically have scores of 85 or more. The limited number of invitations means that only the highest-ranked candidates in each occupation receive an invitation during each round.
Invitations issued on 7 November 2024
see full list: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skillselect/invitation-rounds
Boosting Your Competitiveness
To improve your chances, consider:
- Maximising English points
Take steps to achieve Proficient or Superior English scores in approved tests like IELTS or PTE. This can provide up to 20 points. - Gaining additional skilled work experience
Every extra year of relevant work experience can add valuable points, particularly if gained in Australia. - Leveraging partner points
If you have a partner with competent English or suitable skills, claiming partner points can make a real difference. - Professional Year and NAATI accreditation
Completing a Professional Year in Australia (for accounting, ICT, or engineering graduates) or gaining NAATI certification can help you gain extra points.
Timing and Validity
Be mindful of the validity periods of your skills assessment and English test results. Both must be valid at the time of invitation. Many applicants lose out because these documents expire while waiting for an invitation.
Is 189 Still Worthwhile?
While the 189 visa offers complete freedom of residence and work location, the limited invitation numbers mean that many skilled applicants may be better off focusing on 190 or 491 visas. These visas may provide a more realistic pathway to permanent residency, especially for those with strong ties to a particular state or region.
Need help with your skilled migration journey?
Contact Aurelia Legal today for tailored advice and step-by-step support on your Australian skilled visa application.
📞 (03) 9125 8820
✉️ info@aurelialegal.com.au
🌐 www.aurelialegal.com.au
Disclaimer: The information in this blog is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. You should seek professional advice based on your individual circumstances before acting on any information contained herein.