Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
Subclass 189
The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is a permanent visa. This visa supports invited workers with desirable skills to live and work in Australia on a permanent basis. Additional visa pathways are available for eligible New Zealand citizens and holders of Hong Kong or British National passports.
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Eligibility Requirements
In order to be eligible for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) points-tested stream, you must:
- Be under the age of 45
- Be invited to apply by a relevant authority
- Be able to demonstrate evidence of desirable skills
- work in a field listed on the desired skills list
- Meet English language, health, and character requirements
- Have no outstanding debt to the Australian government
- Have not previously had a visa cancelled or refused
To be eligible for the New Zealand stream, you must:
- Hold a New Zealand Special Category (Subclass 444) visa
- Have lived in Australia for the past 5 years or more
- Demonstrate skills desirable to the Australian job market
To be eligible for the Hong Kong or British National stream, you must:
- Hold a Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport
- Meet a variety of visa requirements
- Meet a variety of residency requirements.
Application Process
In order to apply for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), you will need to provide documentation relating to:
- your age and identifying details
- educational qualifications
- evidence of professional skills
- proof of English-language proficiency and good health
- evidence of your visa eligibility.
You may be required to provide additional documents for assessment by the Department of Home Affairs.
Visa Benefits
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You can live and work in Australia without restriction.
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You can sponsor eligible relatives for Australian residence.
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If eligible, you can apply to become an Australian citizen.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Find quick answers to common questions about our services, processes, and more.
Your employer needs to be an approved sponsor and needs to nominate the position before you apply. Which visa fits depends on the occupation, what the role pays and how long it is needed for. Thirty minutes with a senior practitioner will tell you which pathway is open and what it takes.
The deadline is on your decision letter and it is short. It runs from when you are taken to have been notified, which can be earlier than the day you read it. If yours is inside seven days, call +61 2 9252 0449 rather than filling in a form.
A SolvePlan is $300 including GST for approximately thirty minutes with a senior registered practitioner. It includes further research at no additional charge, our Client Services team liaising with your employer or partner as many times as the matter requires, and your advice confirmed in writing.
Yes. We have offices in Sydney CBD, Manly, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Perth, and we act for clients anywhere in Australia and overseas. You can meet a practitioner in person at any office, or by video or phone.
Not always. Partner applications turn on evidence, and where they come unstuck it is usually the quality of the evidence rather than the relationship. If your history is straightforward you may not need us. If there is a previous refusal, a visa about to expire, or time apart to explain, it is worth thirty minutes before you lodge.
