Visa typePermanent
ProcessingVaries — check Home Affairs
CostGovernment charges apply
Points65 minimum (85+ competitive)
The Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa is a permanent residence visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, state, territory, or family member. It is entirely points-tested and offers full work and travel rights, Medicare access, and a direct path to Australian citizenship.
Eligibility requirements
- Nominate an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
- Obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority
- Score at least 65 points on the points test (higher is more competitive)
- Be under 45 years of age at time of invitation
- Have Competent English (IELTS 6 / PTE 50 each band) or higher
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect and receive an invitation
Documents you will need
- Passport and birth certificate
- Positive skills assessment
- Academic qualifications and transcripts
- Employment references, payslips and tax records
- English test results
- Police clearances and health examination
Frequently asked questions
How many points do I need for a 189 visa?You need a minimum of 65 points to submit an EOI, but in practice most invited applicants score 85–95+ due to high demand. Nova Immigration helps you maximise every points category.
Is the 189 visa permanent?Yes. The Subclass 189 is a permanent residence visa from grant, giving you full work rights, Medicare, and a pathway to citizenship.