An Skilled Independent Visa – Subclass 189 is the final step in your journey to PR. Contact our team of experienced registered migration experts for immediate advice and assistance.
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The 189 visa is a permanent visa for skilled workers who want to live and work anywhere in Australia. You do not need an employer, a state nomination or a family sponsor. If your occupation is in demand and you score at least 65 points, you can be invited to apply — and permanent residency is granted in one step.
Our registered migration agents, led by Principal Agent Ian Singer (MARN 0001947), have guided skilled applicants through the points-tested system for over two decades. This page explains the current rules as at September 2026, including the latest invitation round results and 2026–27 fees.
Visa eligibility depends on your individual circumstances. Talk to us before you lodge.
| Question | Answer (September 2026) |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Permanent, points-tested |
| Sponsor or nomination needed? | No |
| Minimum points | 65 (invitations usually need more — see below) |
| Age limit | Under 45 when invited |
| Government fee (main applicant) | AUD $6,135 |
| 2026–27 program places (Skilled Independent) | 21,090 — up 25% on last year (verify against Home Affairs planning levels before publishing) |
| How you apply | Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect → invitation → application within 60 days |
Meeting the minimum does not guarantee an invitation. The Department of Home Affairs invites the highest-scoring candidates first, so real invitation scores are usually well above 65.
Points come from your age, English, work experience, qualifications and a few bonus factors. The current test applies to every invitation issued before 1 July 2027 — the Government has announced a reformed points test from that date, with details still to be confirmed.
| Factor | Details | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 25–32 years | 30 |
| 18–24 or 33–39 years | 25 | |
| 40–44 years | 15 | |
| English | Superior (e.g. IELTS 8+) | 20 |
| Proficient (e.g. IELTS 7+) | 10 | |
| Competent (e.g. IELTS 6+) | 0 | |
| Skilled work experience (overseas) | 8–10 years | 15 |
| 5–7 years | 10 | |
| 3–4 years | 5 | |
| Skilled work experience (in Australia) | 8–10 years | 20 |
| 5–7 years | 15 | |
| 3–4 years | 10 | |
| 1–2 years | 5 | |
| Qualifications | Doctorate | 20 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15 | |
| Diploma or trade qualification | 10 | |
| Australian study requirement | 2 academic years in Australia | 5 |
| Specialist education | Research master's or doctorate in STEM (Australia) | 10 |
| Professional Year | Accounting, ICT or engineering | 5 |
| Community language | NAATI credential | 5 |
| Regional study | Study in regional Australia | 5 |
| Partner factors | Skilled partner under 45 with competent English | 10 |
| Partner with competent English only | 5 | |
| Single, or partner is an Australian citizen/PR | 10 |
Use the Department’s points calculator for an indicative score, or ask us to assess your points before you lodge an EOI — over-claiming is one of the most common reasons visas are refused.
Invitations are issued through SkillSelect rounds, held periodically through the program year. In the most recent round (4 June 2026), the Department issued 10,000 invitations for the 189 visa. The next round is expected by 30 September 2026.
| Occupation group | Minimum score invited |
|---|---|
| Construction trades (electricians, carpenters, plumbers, bricklayers, glaziers) | 65 |
| Nurses, midwives, GPs, physiotherapists, social workers, secondary teachers | 75 |
| Most other professions (engineers, managers, solicitors, surveyors, veterinarians) | 80 |
| Architects, sonographers, chemists, surgeons | 85 |
| Actuaries, statisticians | 90 |
| Telecommunications engineers, microbiologists, multimedia specialists | 95–100 |
Two things stand out. Trades linked to housing construction were invited at the bare 65-point minimum, while heavily subscribed professional occupations needed 80 or more. Your realistic strategy depends on your occupation — this is where advice from a registered agent pays for itself.
Check that your occupation appears on the relevant skilled occupation list and identify the correct assessing authority.
Each occupation has its own assessing body, evidence rules and timeframes. Most assessments are valid for 3 years.
IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET or Cambridge C1 Advanced are accepted. Proficient or superior English adds 10–20 points.
Be conservative and accurate — every claim must be proven later.
The EOI is free and is not a visa application. It does not give you a bridging visa.
Highest scores are invited first; equal scores are ranked by the date your EOI reached that score.
Pay the fee, upload evidence for every points claim, and complete health and character checks.
If you applied in Australia and held a substantive visa, you will receive a bridging visa while your application is processed.
Government fees increased on 1 July 2026. Current charges:
| Cost item | Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | $6,135 |
| Each additional applicant 18+ | $3,070 |
| Each additional applicant under 18 | $1,540 |
| Second instalment — family member 18+ without functional English | $4,885 |
| Skills assessment | Varies by assessing authority — typically $500–$1,500 |
| English test | Approximately $400–$460 |
| Health examinations | Varies by country, approximately $450 |
| Police certificates | Varies by country |
A lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens from 1 July 2026. Check current pricing on the Department of Home Affairs website or use the Visa Pricing Estimator.
| 189 Skilled Independent | 190 Skilled Nominated | 491 Skilled Work Regional | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Permanent | Permanent | Provisional (5 years) |
| Nomination needed | None | State or territory | State/territory or eligible family member |
| Bonus points | — | +5 nomination points | +15 nomination points |
| Where you can live | Anywhere in Australia | Nomination conditions may apply | Designated regional areas |
| Pathway to PR | Immediate | Immediate | Via subclass 191 after 3 years |
If your points are strong and your occupation was invited at realistic scores, the 189 is the most flexible option. If your score sits below the invitation cut-offs, a Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) or Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491) may be a more realistic route, thanks to the extra nomination points.
Processing depends on your occupation, where you applied from, and whether your application is complete. Under Ministerial Direction No. 119 (current as at September 2026), the Department prioritises 189 applications in this order:
If your visa application can't prove every point claimed, the application is refused — and the fee is not refunded.
Both have validity periods. Time your EOI so everything is current when you're invited.
a frequent nomination refusal reason.
An expired invitation cannot be extended. Have your documents ready before you lodge the EOI.
Sitting at 65 points in an occupation that invites at 85 means waiting indefinitely. Consider the 190 or 491 instead.
Your visa status at lodgement affects whether you receive a bridging visa. Get advice first.
AustraliaMigrate is a Sydney-based registered migration agency. Our Principal Agent, Ian Singer (MARN 0001947), is bound by the Migration Agent Code of Conduct, and our team has helped skilled applicants, families and employers with Australian visas for more than 20 years. We assess your points honestly, tell you if the 189 is not your best option, and build applications that are decision-ready from day one.
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