Australia Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

Application Process — Step by Step

1. 01

   Check occupation is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

   home country

   Subclass 189 is points-based and invitation-only. Your occupation must appear on the MLTSSL. Check the current MLTSSL at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Many IT, engineering, healthcare, accounting, and trades occupations are listed. Some occupations are listed but over-subscribed and require very high points.

   Typical duration: 1-2 weekssource ↗

2. 02

   Obtain skills assessment from relevant assessing body

   home country

   Each occupation has a designated assessing authority (e.g., ACS for IT, Engineers Australia, ANMAC for nurses, CPA/CAANZ for accountants). Submit academic transcripts, employment references, and pay assessment fee (AUD 300–1,000). Outcome: positive skills assessment letter. Allow 4–12 weeks.

   Typical duration: 8-16 weekssource ↗

3. 03

   Submit Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect

   online

   Lodge EOI at skillselect.gov.au. Calculate points: age (max 30 points for 25-32), English (max 20), skilled employment (max 20), qualification (max 20), partner skills (5+), NAATI (5), regional study (5), professional year (5), Australian study (5). Minimum 65 points to lodge; practically need 85-95+ to receive invitation.

   Typical duration: 1-4 weeks (lodgement) + wait for invitationsource ↗

4. 04

   Receive Invitation to Apply (ITA) from SkillSelect

   online

   DHA runs invitation rounds roughly monthly. Higher-scoring EOIs invited first. Points cut-offs vary by occupation and can reach 90+. Once invited, you have 60 days to lodge the visa application.

   Typical duration: Variable — 1 month to 2+ yearssource ↗

5. 05

   Lodge visa application within 60 days of ITA

   online

   Apply via ImmiAccount. Pay application fee: AUD 4,640 (primary applicant, 2024 figure) plus AUD 2,320/adult dependent and AUD 1,160/child. Provide all evidence: skills assessment, English test result, employment documents, health, character, status declarations.

   Typical duration: 2-4 weeks to submitsource ↗

6. 06

   Complete health examination and police clearances

   home country

   Book medical examination through eMedical at an approved panel physician. Obtain police clearances from every country you have lived in 12+ months since age 16. Character requirements are strict — any serious criminal conviction is disqualifying.

   Typical duration: 2-6 weeks

7. 07

   Visa grant and travel to Australia

   destination

   DHA assesses the application. Timeline varies widely (6 months to 2+ years). On grant, you have a 5-year initial entry validity window. Must make first entry within this window to activate permanent residency.

   Typical duration: Variable

Documents Required

Realistic Costs

~ Some figures below are industry estimates rather than officially verified: lawyer_fee_low, lawyer_fee_high, translations, relocation_misc, total_first_year_low, total_first_year_high, total_5_year_low, total_5_year_high.

AUD 4,640 primary applicant fee (2024). Add AUD 2,320/adult dependent + AUD 1,160/child. Skills assessment fee: AUD 300–1,000. English test: AUD 300–450. Medical exam: AUD 300–450/person. Police clearances: varies by country (AUD 50–300 each). Migration agent: AUD 3,000–8,000 if used. Medicare access after grant — no private health insurance required pre-visa.

Realistic Timeline

• Consulate wait4–104 weeks
• Decision → arrival4 weeks
• Residence card issuance0 weeks
• Total to residence card30–130 weeks

189 grant times highly variable: median ~12 months post-application, but occupation and volume affect this. Skills assessment adds 4-12 weeks before EOI. Invitation wait depends heavily on occupation and points score. 85+ points typically invited within 1-3 months. Borderline scores (65-80) may wait years or never receive invitation.

Renewal

First renewal after

60 months

Subsequent cycle

60 months

Renewal fee

$400USDEURGBPCADAUDINRAEDTHBSGDBRLMXNZAR

Requirements

Subclass 189 is a permanent visa — no annual renewal. The travel component (to re-enter Australia as PR) expires after 5 years from grant. Renew with a Resident Return Visa (RRV subclass 155) to maintain travel rights. Must demonstrate substantial ties to Australia.

Path to Permanent Residency — Details

Years required

0

Integration test

Not required

Path to Citizenship — Details

Years required

4

Language test

Yes (B2)

Civic test

Required

Oath

Required

Dual citizenship

Allowed

Application fee

$490USDEURGBPCADAUDINRAEDTHBSGDBRLMXNZAR

Tax Residency

Trigger

183 days/year of presence

Taxation scope

Worldwide income

Exit-tax country

No

Health Insurance

Mandatory

No

Public system access

After 0 months

Examples: Medicare (public), Bupa Australia, Medibank, HCF, NIB

Family Specifics

Spouse work rights

Spouse included on the 189 visa has full, unrestricted work rights as a permanent resident from day one.

Child school enrolment

Children included on 189 can attend Australian public schools at no cost. Universities charge domestic student rates (HECS-HELP eligible).

Parent inclusion

Not eligible

Sibling inclusion

Not eligible

Gotchas — Things to Watch For

• ⚠Points cut-offs can rise dramatically between rounds — a score that received an invitation last year may not this year
• ⚠Occupation lists change: your occupation may be removed from MLTSSL between EOI and invitation, invalidating your EOI
• ⚠Employment reference letters must be precise — DHA is strict on format, and inadequate letters are a top rejection cause
• ⚠The 60-day lodgement window after ITA is tight — prepare all documents before submitting EOI
• ⚠Australia taxes worldwide income as soon as you become a tax resident — plan for this if you have offshore income
• ⚠Partner/spouse can be included but adultt dependents add AUD 2,320 to the visa fee
• ⚠Subclass 189 is employer-independent (no sponsorship needed) — a major advantage over 482/186

Common Rejection Reasons

• •Occupation removed from MLTSSL between EOI submission and invitation
• •Skills assessment negative or expired by time of visa lodgement
• •English test result below Competent English threshold or expired
• •Employment documentation insufficient — references missing required detail or not on letterhead
• •Points overclaimed (e.g., counting employment in wrong category, inflating hours)
• •Character failure (serious criminal conviction, or misrepresentation)
• •Health failure (active tuberculosis, or conditions requiring significant Australian healthcare costs)

Recent Legislative Changes

• 2024-07-01

  Visa application charge (VAC) increased to AUD 4,640 for primary applicants. DHA also updated the MLTSSL, removing some over-supplied occupations and adding several healthcare roles.source ↗

Frequently Asked Questions