Registered Migration Agent MARN 0853129

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

Q: Can I include my family in a subclass 189 application?

Yes. You can include members of your family unit, either when you lodge or before a decision is made. They must meet the health and character requirements.

A points-tested permanent residence visa for invited skilled workers. Live, work and study anywhere in Australia, with a pathway to citizenship.

Book a consultation Contact our team

Visa type

Permanent

Points test

65 minimum

Age

Under 45

English

Competent

Pathway

By invitation

The visa

Permanent residence, on your own skills

The subclass 189 (Points-tested stream) is for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, a state or territory, or a family member. It is granted on the strength of your own qualifications, experience and points. Once granted, it is a permanent visa.

Stay permanently

Live in Australia indefinitely as a permanent resident from the day the visa is granted.

Work and study anywhere

No employer or regional condition. Work and study in any location across Australia.

Enrol in Medicare

Access Australia's public health care scheme, and free English classes through the AMEP if eligible.

Sponsor eligible relatives

As a permanent resident you may be able to sponsor eligible family members for permanent residence.

Travel for five years

Travel to and from Australia for five years from grant. After that, a Resident Return visa is needed to re-enter as a permanent resident.

Pathway to citizenship

Permanent residence is the first step toward Australian citizenship, subject to eligibility.

How it works

From expression of interest to visa grant

Submit an EOI

Lodge an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect. It is free and is not a visa application.

Receive an invitation

You are ranked against other candidates and may be invited to apply if you score enough points and places are available.

Apply within 60 days

Lodge in ImmiAccount with your supporting documents and pay the charge. This 60 day window cannot be extended.

Decision

Applications are assessed case by case. If granted, your permanent residence begins on the day of grant.

Eligibility

What you need to qualify

The subclass 189 is by invitation only. You must be able to meet each of these requirements at the time you are invited to apply. Your circumstances are unique, so the guidance below is a summary. We assess your full profile before you lodge.

These requirements are current at the time of writing and are set by the Department of Home Affairs. They can change. We confirm the criteria that apply to your case before you apply.

You can only apply for this visa if you are invited. First submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect. After submitting, you are ranked against other intending applicants and may be invited to apply. Invitations are issued regularly through SkillSelect.

Your occupation must be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) Points-tested stream.

You must have a suitable skills assessment for your nominated occupation, carried out by the relevant assessing authority. It must have been obtained within the three years before your invitation date. Medical practitioners and lawyers may meet this through registration or admission instead.

You must be aged under 45 when you are invited to apply. If you turn 45 after the invitation, you can still apply. If you turn 45 after submitting your EOI but before being invited, you will not be invited.

This is a points-tested visa. SkillSelect gives you an indicative score from your EOI claims. You must reach at least 65 points to be invited. Your invitation will state the score you must prove when your application is assessed, which may be higher than 65 depending on your claims.

At the time of invitation you must have at least competent English, as defined by the Department of Home Affairs.

You and any family members who apply with you must meet Australia's health and character requirements. In some cases, family members not travelling with you must also meet these requirements.

If you are 18 or older you must sign the Australian Values Statement. Any debt owed to the Australian Government must be repaid or under an arrangement to repay. Your immigration history is also considered, so a previously cancelled or refused visa may affect eligibility.

Good to know

Streams, costs and processing

Three streams

The subclass 189 has three streams. This page covers the Points-tested stream, which is the pathway most skilled applicants use.

Points-tested stream for invited skilled workers.
New Zealand stream for eligible New Zealand citizens.
Hong Kong stream for eligible Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders.

Talk to us to confirm which stream fits your situation.

Costs and processing

Government charges apply. The main applicant pays a visa application charge, with an additional charge for each family member who applies. A second instalment may apply where an applicant aged 18 or over does not have functional English.

Base application charge: confirm current figure (Visa Pricing Estimator).
Processing time: confirm current guide figure (processing times tool).
From 1 July 2026 a reduced charge applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste passport holders.

Health checks, police certificates and biometrics may add further costs. We give you a full estimate for your situation.

Questions

Common questions

Yes. It is a permanent residence visa that lets you live, work and study anywhere in Australia indefinitely. You become a permanent resident on the day the visa is granted.

Yes. You must first submit an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect. You can only lodge an application once the Department invites you to apply.

You need to be able to score at least 65 points to be invited. Your invitation may specify a higher score that you must prove when your application is assessed, depending on the claims in your EOI.

You must be under 45 at the time you are invited to apply. If you turn 45 after receiving an invitation, you can still apply.

Yes. You can include members of your family unit in your application, either when you lodge or before a decision is made. They must meet the health and character requirements.

You have 60 calendar days from the date of your invitation to lodge your application. This period cannot be extended.

Ready to start

Applying for a Skilled Independent visa?

If you need help with a Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), book today with Australian Immigration Hub. Our registered migration professionals guide you from expression of interest through to visa grant.

Book today Contact us

General information only, not immigration or legal advice. Visa requirements, charges and processing times are set by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and can change. For your circumstances, confirm details with Australian Immigration Hub or the Department of Home Affairs before you apply.