SKILLED INDEPENDENT VISA
Live and Work Anywhere in Australia Based on Your Skills
ABOUT SKILL ASSESSMENT
The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is a permanent Australian visa intended for skilled workers who want to live and work in Australia without the need for sponsorship from an employer, a state or territory government, or a family member. It forms part of Australia’s General Skilled Migration (GSM) program and is aimed at attracting highly skilled professionals whose occupations are in demand across the country.
This visa operates under a points-based system, where applicants are assessed based on factors such as age, educational qualifications, skilled employment experience, English language ability, and other relevant criteria. Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements and receive an invitation are granted permanent residency, allowing them to settle anywhere in Australia with full work and study rights.
WHAT THIS VISA ALLOWS YOU TO DO
The Skilled Independent visa offers a high level of flexibility and security.
Visa holders can study at Australian educational institutions.
Visa holders can live in Australia permanently.
They have access to domestic education pathways.
They may work for any employer in any occupation.
Visa holders are eligible to enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system, reducing healthcare costs.
There are no restrictions on location within Australia.
LENGTH OF STAY
The subclass 189 visa is a permanent visa, meaning there is no limit on how long the visa holder can remain in Australia. Permanent residency begins on the date the visa is granted if the applicant is in Australia, or on the date of first entry if the applicant is offshore.
The visa includes a five-year travel facility, which allows the holder to travel in and out of Australia freely during this period. After the five years, a Resident Return Visa may be required for international travel while maintaining permanent resident status.
INCLUDING FAMILY MEMBERS
Applicants may include eligible family members, such as a partner and dependent children, in their visa application. Family members can be included at the time of application or added later before a final decision is made.
All family members included in the application must meet Australia’s health and character requirements. If eligible family members are not included, the applicant must provide a valid reason, such as the family member already holding Australian citizenship or permanent residency.
ELIGIBILITY AND KEY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants cannot apply directly for the Skilled Independent visa.
Applicants must be under 45 years of age at the time they receive an invitation.
They must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect.
Turning 45 after receiving an invitation does not affect eligibility.
EOIs are ranked against other applicants.
The visa is points-tested, with a minimum requirement of 65 points
Invitations to apply are issued regularly based Points score
If applying from within Australia, applicants must hold a valid substantive visa
SKILLS AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must nominate an occupation listed on the relevant skilled occupation list for the subclass 189 visa. A positive skills assessment from the appropriate assessing authority is required at the time of invitation. The skills assessment must generally have been issued within three years before the invitation date, unless otherwise specified.
Applicants must also demonstrate at least competent English at the time of invitation. This is usually shown through approved English language tests such as IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, or Cambridge C1 Advanced. While higher levels of English are not mandatory, they can increase points and improve the chances of receiving an invitation.
BENEFITS OF THE SKILLED INDEPENDENT VISA (SUBCLASS 189)
The Skilled Independent visa offers several significant benefits, including
Permanent residency in Australia
Freedom to live, work and study anywhere in the country
No requirement for employer or state sponsorship
Access to Medicare and Australia’s public healthcare system
The ability to include eligible family members
Opportunities to sponsor relatives in the future
Unlimited travel for five years from the date of grant
A clear pathway to Australian citizenship
HEALTH AND CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS
All applicants and included family members must meet Australia’s health requirements. This may involve medical examinations such as health checks, chest X-rays, and blood tests, depending on individual circumstances.
Applicants and family members aged 16 years and over must also meet character requirements. This usually involves providing police clearance certificates from countries where they have lived. Immigration history is considered as part of the overall assessment.
COST
The visa application charge for the main applicant is AUD 4,910. Additional charges apply for each family member included in the application. An extra charge may apply for applicants aged 18 or over who do not have functional English.
Other costs may include skills assessments, English language tests, medical examinations, police certificates, and biometrics.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Processing times for the Skilled Independent visa vary depending on individual circumstances, application completeness, and migration program availability. The visa is digitally linked to the applicant’s passport, and no physical visa label is issued. Once granted, the visa provides long-term stability and flexibility for skilled migrants wishing to build their future in Australia.
