Last updated: 30 March 2026

Subclass 189 Visa: Skilled Independent Pathway to Permanent Residency

The subclass 189 is Australia’s points-tested skilled migration pathway for independent applicants. No employer sponsor required. No state nomination needed. Your eligibility is assessed on skills, qualifications, work experience, and English proficiency through a competitive points system. If your occupation is on the MLTSSL and your profile scores 65 or more points, you can submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect and wait for an invitation to apply for permanent residency in Australia.

What Is the Subclass 189 Visa?

The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is a points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or nominated by a state or territory government. It sits within Australia’s General Skilled Migration (GSM) program alongside the 190 and 491 visas.

The 189 grants permanent residency from the date of decision — not from the date you lodge or receive an invitation. That means you have full permanent resident status the moment the Department makes a positive decision on your application.

Once granted, you can live and work anywhere in Australia without restriction, access Medicare from day one, sponsor eligible relatives for certain visas, and begin counting toward the four-year residency requirement for Australian citizenship.

The visa is entirely managed through the SkillSelect online system. There are no paper forms and no direct applications. You submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), receive an invitation to apply based on your points score, and then lodge a formal application within 60 days of receiving that invitation.

What Are the 189 Visa Requirements?

The Department of Home Affairs assesses 189 applicants against a fixed set of criteria. Every requirement must be met at the time of invitation and maintained through to the grant decision.

Core eligibility criteria

Skills assessments are conducted by occupation-specific authorities. For example, Engineers Australia assesses engineering occupations, CPA Australia and CAANZ assess accounting occupations, and AHPRA assesses registered health practitioners. The assessing body and the scope of what they examine varies significantly between occupations.

English proficiency at the competent level (IELTS 6.0 in each of the four bands, or equivalent results in PTE, TOEFL iBT, OET, or Cambridge C1) is the threshold for eligibility. However, higher English scores attract additional points and improve your competitive standing in invitation rounds.

Health and character checks are completed after you receive an invitation and lodge your application. You will need chest x-rays and medicals through a panel physician, and police certificates from every country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.

How Does the 189 Points Test Work?

The points test assigns a numerical score to each aspect of your profile. The Department uses this score to rank EOIs in SkillSelect and issue invitations from the highest scores down, within each occupation and program allocation.

Points table for the subclass 189

Points categories are additive. A 28-year-old software engineer with proficient English, five years of overseas experience, an Australian bachelor’s degree, and a single status could score 30 + 10 + 10 + 15 + 10 = 75 points before any bonus factors.

What Is a Competitive Points Score for the 189?

The official minimum threshold is 65 points, but receiving an invitation at exactly 65 is uncommon for most occupations. Invitation rounds are competitive and the cut-off score shifts based on how many applicants are in the pool for your specific ANZSCO code.

In recent rounds (2025–2026), observed invitation cutoffs have ranged from 65 points for lower-demand occupations to 90 points for high-demand occupations with large candidate pools. Occupations such as software engineers, ICT business analysts, and registered nurses have historically seen higher cutoffs due to volume.

Before submitting your EOI, calculate your points score carefully and compare it against recent SkillSelect invitation data published by the Department. If your score sits within a few points of the cut-off for your occupation, consider whether you can realistically improve your score — through a higher English test result, additional Australian work experience, or completing a Professional Year — before lodging your EOI.

A score of 80 or above places most applicants in a strong position across the majority of MLTSSL occupations.

Which Occupations Are Eligible for the 189 Visa?

The 189 visa uses the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). This list is maintained by the Department of Home Affairs and updated periodically based on labour market needs. Only occupations currently on the MLTSSL at the time your EOI is invited are eligible for the 189.

The MLTSSL covers a range of skilled occupations across industries including engineering, ICT, healthcare, accounting, architecture, and education. Each occupation is identified by a unique ANZSCO code (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations).

Commonly eligible occupations include:

This table is illustrative. You must verify your specific occupation against the current MLTSSL on the Department of Home Affairs website. The list changes, and an occupation present today may be removed in a future review.

If your occupation is not on the MLTSSL, you may still have options through the subclass 190 state nominated visa or the subclass 491 regional visa, both of which use broader occupation lists.

How Do You Apply for the 189 Visa Step by Step?

The 189 does not accept direct applications. You must move through the SkillSelect invitation system before you can lodge a formal visa application. Here are the stages in order.

Step 1: Get a skills assessment Contact the assessing authority for your occupation. Lodge your qualifications, employment evidence, and any supporting documents. Processing times vary by authority — some take 4–6 weeks, others can take several months. Do not skip this step or assume a positive outcome. Your EOI cannot be submitted without a valid skills assessment reference number.

Step 2: Sit an approved English test Complete IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, or Cambridge C1 Advanced. Aim for the highest score you can achieve within the valid result window (generally 3 years). Your score directly affects your points total.

Step 3: Calculate your points score Use the Department’s official points calculator or a reliable third-party tool. Be accurate — inflating your score on an EOI and then being unable to substantiate it at the application stage creates serious problems.

Step 4: Submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect Log in to the SkillSelect system and complete your EOI. You will nominate an occupation, declare your points factors, and provide your skills assessment reference number. Your EOI remains active in the pool for up to two years unless you receive an invitation or withdraw.

Step 5: Wait for an invitation to apply The Department runs invitation rounds quarterly. If your score meets or exceeds the cut-off for your occupation in a given round, you will receive an invitation by email. There is no fixed timeline — some applicants wait one round, others wait over a year depending on their score and occupation.

Step 6: Lodge your visa application within 60 days Once invited, you have 60 days to lodge your formal application through ImmiAccount. Missing this window means losing your invitation — you would need to resubmit your EOI and wait again.

Step 7: Complete health and character requirements Book medicals through a panel physician (approved by the Department) and obtain police clearances from all required countries. Upload these documents to your ImmiAccount application.

Step 8: Await the grant decision The Department assesses your application and either grants or refuses the visa. You will receive written notification of the outcome. If granted, your visa commences from the date of that decision.

How Do SkillSelect and EOI Invitation Rounds Work?

SkillSelect is the Department of Home Affairs online platform that manages EOIs for the General Skilled Migration program. It is not a first-come, first-served queue. Your position is determined entirely by your points score relative to other EOIs in your occupation.

Each time the Department runs an invitation round for the 189, it draws from the EOI pool for each ANZSCO occupation. The highest-scoring EOIs receive invitations first. If there are multiple applicants with the same score at the cut-off, the Department uses the date and time the EOI was submitted to break ties — so an earlier submission date helps at the margins.

How the round mechanics work:

• Invitation rounds now run quarterly (Q1: Jul–Sep, Q2: Oct–Dec, Q3: Jan–Mar, Q4: Apr–Jun), not monthly
• Each round allocates invitations across different visa subclasses and occupations
• The number of invitations per round per occupation is not publicly pre-announced
• Occupation ceilings exist — some popular occupations have caps that limit how many invitations are issued in a program year
• Your EOI score is not adjusted after submission. If you improve your English result or gain more work experience, you must update your EOI — and the update resets your submission timestamp for tie-breaking purposes

November 2025 Invitation Round

The most recent 189 invitation round (13 November 2025) issued 10,000 invitations. Minimum scores varied significantly by occupation:

Source: Department of Home Affairs, 2025-26 program year

These figures show the cutoff score at which the last invitation in each occupational cluster was issued for that round. Your occupation’s cutoff may differ — check the Department’s published round data for your specific ANZSCO code.

After receiving an invitation, you have 60 days to lodge through ImmiAccount. The invitation cannot be extended.

If you do not receive an invitation within 24 months of submitting your EOI, it expires. You can resubmit, but you rejoin the pool from the new submission date with no priority carryover from the expired EOI.

Monitoring recent invitation round data — published after each round on the Department’s website — gives you the most accurate read on current cut-offs for your occupation. This data is the clearest signal of whether your score is competitive right now or whether you need to improve it first.

How Long Does 189 Visa Processing Take?

Processing begins after you lodge your formal application following the invitation. The Department does not process applications in strict chronological order — complexity, occupational category, document completeness, and current caseload all affect your individual timeline.

The most reliable way to avoid delays is to lodge a complete application on day one. This means having all documents ready — medicals, police clearances, relationship evidence if applying with a partner, and your skills assessment — before you receive your invitation, so you can lodge immediately rather than scrambling within the 60-day window.

If the Department requests additional information (a Section 56 request), you have a set timeframe to respond. Slow responses add time to your processing clock.

You can track your application status through ImmiAccount. There is no formal escalation pathway for processing speed outside of ministerial intervention, which is not a standard avenue.

How Much Does the 189 Visa Cost?

The visa application charge is set by the Department and changes periodically. The following fees applied as of the date of this page and may have been updated since.

The visa application charge is non-refundable if your application is refused or withdrawn. Skills assessment fees are also non-refundable regardless of outcome.

For a family of two adults, the visa application charges alone total $7,230 before any assessment, English test, or medical costs. Plan your budget accordingly.

The 189 has the same base application fee ($4,910) as the subclass 190 state nominated visa. The 190 may also involve an additional state nomination fee charged by the state or territory — the 189 does not.

What Documents Do You Need for the 189 Visa?

Documents are uploaded to ImmiAccount when you lodge your application. Prepare these before your invitation arrives so you are not assembling evidence under time pressure.

Identity documents

• Current passport (all pages showing entry and exit stamps)
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate or evidence of de facto relationship (if applicable)
• Change of name documentation (if applicable)

Qualifications and skills evidence

• Academic transcripts and degree certificates for all qualifications claimed in the points test
• Skills assessment outcome letter from the relevant assessing authority
• Certified translations of any documents not in English

Employment evidence

• Reference letters from all employers claimed in the points test, on company letterhead, signed by an authorised person
• Letters should specify your job title, duties, full-time or part-time status, and dates of employment
• Payslips or tax records to corroborate employment dates
• Employment contracts (if available)

English proficiency

• Official test score report (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL iBT, OET, or Cambridge C1)
• Results must be within the valid window at the time of invitation (generally 3 years from test date)

Health and character

• Medical examination results uploaded directly by the panel physician
• Police clearance certificates from every country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years

Additional documents (if applicable)

• Partner’s skills assessment outcome (if claiming partner skills points)
• Evidence of Professional Year completion
• Evidence of NAATI credential
• Evidence of regional Australian study

The Department may request further documents after lodgement. Respond to any requests promptly and completely.

How Does the 189 Compare to the 190 and 491?

Australia’s three main General Skilled Migration pathways each suit a different profile. Understanding where the 189 fits helps you choose the right strategy from the start.

The 189 is the right choice if your points score is competitive without needing a bonus, and you want unrestricted freedom to live anywhere in Australia from grant day. You are not tied to a state or region, and there are no post-grant obligations.

The subclass 190 state nominated visa adds 5 points but requires nomination and a two-year commitment to the nominating state. If your score is borderline for a 189 invitation, the 190 may be a more achievable pathway — particularly if your occupation appears on a state’s nomination list.

The subclass 491 regional visa adds 15 points and is a strong option if your score would not be competitive for either the 189 or 190. It is a temporary visa, so you must meet regional residency obligations and then apply separately for the subclass 191 permanent visa to complete the PR pathway.

For a full side-by-side breakdown, see our 189 vs 190 visa comparison.

What Pathways Does the 189 Visa Connect To?

What typically leads to the 189

Most 189 applicants come from one of three starting points:

• Temporary skilled workers on a subclass 482 or 485 visa who have built up Australian work experience and a strong points score while working in Australia
• International students who completed a Professional Year or postgraduate study in Australia and accumulated enough points and work experience to be competitive
• Offshore skilled applicants who have a strong points profile — typically high English scores, significant overseas experience, and a high-demand MLTSSL occupation — without needing Australian experience to reach a competitive score

What comes after the 189

The 189 grants permanent residency directly. Once your visa is granted, your next milestones are:

• Sponsoring eligible relatives for certain visa subclasses (if applicable to your family situation)
• Counting residency for citizenship — you are eligible to apply for Australian citizenship after living in Australia as a permanent resident for four years (including at least one year as a permanent resident)
• Meeting the travel facility — the initial 5-year travel facility allows you to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident. After that, you may need a Resident Return Visa (RRV) if you travel internationally

The 189 is a complete pathway in itself — it does not require a further visa class to reach PR status. For most skilled migrants, it is the end of the visa journey and the beginning of the settlement journey.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 189 Visa

How many points do you need for a 189 visa?

The official minimum is 65 points. In practice, most invitation rounds require more — often 70 to 90 points depending on your ANZSCO occupation and the number of EOIs in your occupation pool. Check the most recent SkillSelect invitation round data on the Department’s website to see what cut-off applied in your occupation’s last round. That number is more useful than the 65-point floor.

How long does 189 visa processing take?

For 75 percent of applicants, the subclass 189 is finalised within 6 to 12 months from the date of lodgement. Processing varies based on how complete your application is at lodgement, your occupation, and the Department’s current workload. Lodging a complete application on day one is the most effective way to avoid unnecessary delays.

Can you apply for the 189 visa without employer sponsorship?

Yes — the 189 is specifically designed for skilled workers who do not have an employer sponsor. You apply through SkillSelect based on your points score alone. This also means your visa is not tied to any employer. Once granted, you can work for any employer in any occupation anywhere in Australia.

What occupations are eligible for the 189 visa?

The 189 uses the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). This covers skilled occupations across engineering, ICT, healthcare, accounting, architecture, and other sectors. Confirm your occupation on the current MLTSSL — the list is updated and occupations can be added or removed. Your occupation must be on the list at the time your EOI is invited, not just at the time you submit it.

What is the difference between the 189 and 190 visa?

The 189 requires no state nomination and grants permanent residency with no location restrictions. The 190 requires nomination from a state or territory government, which adds 5 points to your score but comes with a two-year obligation to live and work in the nominating state. Both are permanent visas with identical application fees. The 190 is often the better fit when your points score sits below the 189 cut-off for your occupation, or when a specific state is nominating your occupation and you are open to relocating.

What Should You Do Next if the 189 Visa Fits Your Profile?

Before taking any action, work through this checklist:

• Confirm your occupation is currently on the MLTSSL
• Contact the relevant assessing authority and understand their requirements
• Calculate your current points score accurately — including realistic English test projections
• Check the most recent SkillSelect round data for your ANZSCO code to see whether your score is competitive
• Identify whether you can improve your score before submitting your EOI (English retest, Professional Year, additional Australian work experience)
• Budget for the full cost: skills assessment, English test, medicals, police checks, and the visa application charge
• Decide whether the 189 is the right pathway now or whether the 190 or 491 is more achievable given your current score

If your occupation is on the MLTSSL and your points score puts you within the competitive range for recent invitation rounds, the next concrete step is starting your skills assessment — it is the prerequisite that everything else depends on.

If you are not yet sure which pathway fits your profile, use our points calculator to get a baseline score and see which visa subclasses your profile qualifies for. A MARA-registered migration agent can then review your full profile and give you specific advice on strategy before you commit to a skills assessment or an EOI.