189: SKILLED INDEPENDENT
The subclass 189 visa is for invited skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or family member or nominated by a state or territory government. It allows you to live and work in Australia as a permanent resident.
The applicant can be inside or outside of Australia to apply, and when the visa is granted.
Who Is Eligible For The 189 Visa?
The Skilled Independent subclass 189 visa has two streams:
Stream 1: Points Tested Stream
The applicant must have suitable skills assessment, score 65 points or more, be under the age of 45 and be invited to apply. At the time of invitation, the applicant also must have at least competent English. Points are awarded for the points test for age, English language ability, qualifications, and several other factors.
Stream 2: New Zealand Stream
The applicant must hold a New Zealand Special Category (subclass 444) visa and have lived in Australia for at least the last 5 years (started on or before 19 February 2016). The taxable income as shown on Notice of Assessment for each of the 4 completed financial years before the application must be at or above the minimum income threshold.
What Are The Other Requirements Of The 189 Visa?
A prospective migrant may be eligible for the Skilled Independent visa if they meet health and character requirements.
What Are The Benefits?
This is a permanent residence visa. It allows the applicant and any family members who have also been granted this visa to:
- Stay, work and study in Australia indefinitely
- Enroll in Medicare
- Apply for Australian citizenship (when eligible)
- Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
Family members of the applicant can be included in the visa application, as long as they fulfil the requirements of being a member of the family unit.
These family members must also show that they meet health and character requirements.
Visa Charges
The base government charge for this visa is between is from $4045 AUD plus extra charges for each additional person included on the application.
This price does not include our fees nor does it include the cost of any health or character checks that may be required. For futher information, please view the Department of Home Affairs website.