Permanent Residency
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What is the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)?
The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), Points-tested stream is a permanent visa for invited skilled workers whose nominated occupation is eligible. It does not require employer sponsorship or nomination by a state or territory. Successful applicants can live, work and study anywhere in Australia.
Applicants from India may submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect if they meet the relevant criteria. An EOI is not a visa application, and meeting the minimum points threshold does not guarantee an invitation.
2026–27: The minimum points threshold is 65, but invitation scores vary by occupation and selection round. This guide focuses on the Points-tested stream, not other subclass 189 streams.
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BenefitsEligibilityPoints testEnglish testsOccupationsHow to applyDocumentsFees & processingFAQsPoints calculator
Calculate your Australia PR points
Check your estimated skilled migration points using our dedicated Australia PR Points Calculator.
Calculate Your Australia PR PointsPermanent residence
Benefits of a Subclass 189 visa
Live anywhere
Live, work and study anywhere in Australia as a permanent resident.
Medicare
Enrol in Australia's public healthcare system if you meet its enrolment requirements.
Eligible family
Include eligible family members in the application, and sponsor qualifying relatives later where permitted.
Future citizenship
You may become eligible to apply for citizenship once all residence and other legal requirements are met.
The visa generally carries a five-year travel facility. After it expires, permanent residents may need a Resident Return visa to re-enter Australia as permanent residents.
Before submitting an EOI
Subclass 189 visa eligibility requirements
| Requirement | What applicants need |
|---|---|
| Age | Under 45 at the time of invitation |
| Occupation | An occupation eligible for the subclass 189 Points-tested stream |
| Skills assessment | A suitable assessment from the designated authority, subject to the Department's applicable timing and validity rules |
| English | At least Competent English at invitation |
| Points | At least 65; invitation competitiveness may require more |
| Invitation | An invitation through SkillSelect before lodging the visa application |
| Other criteria | Health, character, immigration history and other visa requirements |
Unlike subclass 190, subclass 189 does not require state or territory nomination and does not award state nomination points.
Points-tested migration
Australia Subclass 189 points table
The points test assesses age, English, skilled employment, qualifications and eligible additional factors. The table is a summary; points are only available where all legal conditions and evidence requirements are satisfied.
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Age 18–24 / 25–32 / 33–39 / 40–44 | 25 / 30 / 25 / 15 |
| Competent / Proficient / Superior English | 0 / 10 / 20 |
| Overseas skilled employment (3–4 / 5–7 / 8+ years) | 5 / 10 / 15 |
| Australian skilled employment (1–2 / 3–4 / 5–7 / 8+ years) | 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 |
| Doctorate / recognised bachelor or master degree / qualifying diploma or trade qualification | 20 / 15 / 10 |
| Australian study requirement | 5 |
| Eligible specialist education qualification | 10 |
| Study in designated regional Australia | 5 |
| Credentialled community language | 5 |
| Eligible Professional Year in Australia | 5 |
| Partner points: eligible skilled partner / single or Australian citizen or PR partner / eligible partner with Competent English | 10 / 10 / 5 |
The combined maximum for Australian and overseas skilled employment is 20 points. Partner-point categories are alternatives, not cumulative.
Read more: Australia PR overview.
English proficiency
English requirements for Subclass 189 (2026–27)
Applicants generally need Competent English to qualify for the points-tested stream. Proficient and Superior English can add 10 and 20 points respectively.
| English level | Points | IELTS example (L / R / W / S) |
|---|---|---|
| Competent | 0 | 6 / 6 / 6 / 6 |
| Proficient | 10 | 7 / 7 / 7 / 7 |
| Superior | 20 | 8 / 8 / 8 / 8 |
Other approved tests include PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, Cambridge C1 Advanced, CELPIP General, LANGUAGECERT Academic and MET, subject to their current conditions. Each test has its own Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking score thresholds.
Important: Approved English tests and scores changed on 7 August 2025. Results taken before that date may be subject to transitional rules. Do not use the old PTE 50/65/79-per-component thresholds for a new test. Check the relevant Department of Home Affairs Competent, Proficient and Superior English score tables for your test date.
Occupation & skills assessment
Eligible occupations and skills assessments
Your nominated occupation must be eligible for the subclass 189 Points-tested stream, and you must satisfy the skills assessment requirements of the authority assigned to that occupation. Eligibility cannot be determined from a job title alone.
Depending on the occupation, the relevant authority may include Engineers Australia, ACS, VETASSESS, a professional registration body or another designated authority. Assessment criteria and evidence requirements differ.
Check occupation eligibility and assessment validity before lodging your EOI. An invitation does not remove the requirement to substantiate your occupation and claimed points.
Application journey
How to apply for a Subclass 189 visa from India
1
Confirm your occupation
Identify the eligible occupation and its assessing authority.
2
Obtain skills assessment and English evidence
Arrange the required skills assessment and an accepted English test or other qualifying English evidence.
3
Calculate your points
Assess your points claims and confirm you meet at least 65 points; consider invitation competitiveness.
4
Submit a SkillSelect EOI
Enter accurate qualifications, employment and other details. Submitting an EOI does not itself grant a visa or bridging status.
5
Wait for an invitation
An invitation is not guaranteed. Keep your EOI updated before invitation if circumstances change.
6
Lodge within 60 days
If invited, submit the application through ImmiAccount within 60 calendar days and provide evidence supporting the invited points score.
7
Complete checks and await decision
Provide health, character and other documents requested by Home Affairs. The Department decides the visa application.
Application preparation
Subclass 189 documents checklist
- Valid passport and identity documents
- Skills assessment and occupation evidence
- English test results or eligible passport evidence
- Degree certificates, transcripts and other qualifications
- Employment references, payslips and tax records where relevant
- Evidence for Australian study or other points claims
- Partner and dependent family documents, if applicable
- Health, character and police-clearance records as requested
The document list varies by applicant. Provide evidence for every claim used to obtain your invitation points.
Government visa charges
Subclass 189 visa fees in 2026–27
The following are standard Australian government visa application charges for applications lodged from 1 July 2026. Family-member charges are added to the main applicant fee.
| Applicant / fee category | Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | AUD 6,135 |
| Additional applicant aged 18 or over (including spouse/partner) | AUD 3,070 per applicant |
| Additional dependent child under 18 | AUD 1,540 per child |
| Second instalment (where an additional adult applicant does not meet functional English) | AUD 4,885 per applicable adult, payable only if requested before grant |
Example family visa costs
| Family composition | First-instalment total (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Single applicant | AUD 6,135 |
| Main applicant + spouse | AUD 9,205 |
| Main applicant + spouse + one child under 18 | AUD 10,745 |
| Main applicant + spouse + two children under 18 | AUD 12,285 |
Additional expenses may include skills assessments, English tests, medical examinations, police checks, biometrics and professional service fees.
Important: The second instalment is not included in the family examples and is payable only where applicable and requested. Limited concessions may apply to eligible passport holders. Confirm charges at lodgement using the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator. Processing times vary and are not guaranteed.
Common questions
Subclass 189 FAQs
Yes. The subclass 189 Points-tested stream grants permanent residence to successful applicants.
No. The Points-tested stream is independent of employer sponsorship and state or territory nomination.
Not necessarily. Sixty-five points is the minimum threshold; actual invitations depend on selection and the competitive points scores for eligible occupations.
Yes. You can submit a SkillSelect EOI while outside Australia and, if invited, apply for the visa from outside Australia.
You must be under 45 when invited. If you turn 45 after a valid invitation, the age rule does not automatically prevent lodging within the invitation period.
You have 60 calendar days from the invitation date to lodge the visa application.
Yes, subject to the approved test, required component scores, test date and validity rules. Australia changed its approved English-test requirements on 7 August 2025.
Processing times vary. Use the Department of Home Affairs processing-time guide for an indication; published figures are not guarantees.
Eligible family members can be included, subject to the visa family-unit criteria, documentation and additional charges.
Subclass 189 is permanent and independent. Subclass 190 is permanent but requires state or territory nomination. Subclass 491 is a regional provisional visa with its own nomination or family-sponsorship rules.
