189 Skilled independent visa
The subclass 189 visa (skilled independent stream) is for invited workers with skills Australia needs, to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia. This is a permanent visa. The visa application does not require any state nomination or sponsorship by eligible relatives.
Average Processing Time 2020 – 2021
The current average processing time is as below:
- subclass 189 visa is about 20 months for 75% of all the visa applications, and 24 months for 90% of all the visa applications.
Individual processing time does vary based on the specific circumstances of the applicant, as well as the quality of the application presented to the Department of Home Affairs. Many well prepared applications are actually processed much faster and smoother than the average.
If you wish to have your visa application presented in the best quality and would like to ensure the application can be processed timely, we suggest you contact our experienced Registered Migration Agents to manage your files.
Information Sheet for 189 visa.
Subclass 189: Skilled Independent Visa
Points-tested Stream
Stay Period
Indefinitely with 5-year travel facility after which you may need to apply for Subclass 155 or 157 Resident Return visa to extend your travel facility.You may consider applying for Australian citizenship for unrestricted travel facility once eligibility criteria are met.
Apply from...
All applicants may be in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance, to apply and to be granted this visa.Each applicant in Australia when applying for this visa must hold:
- a substantive visa; or
- a Subclass 010 Bridging A visa; or
- a Subclass 020 Bridging B visa; or
- a Subclass 030 Bridging C visa
- any person who met the eligibility criteria outlined in "Eligibility Criteria" tab on this page (hereinafter referred to as "the Primary Applicant");
- the member of family unit of the Primary Applicant, e.g.: spouse/de facto partner and children who are still dependent on the Primary Applicant or the spouse/de facto partner of Primary Applicant
- a substantive visa; or
- a Subclass 010 Bridging A visa; or
- a Subclass 020 Bridging B visa; or
- a Subclass 030 Bridging C visa
with no condition(s) attached to the visa that prevent the applicant from applying this visa in Australia.
If the substantive visa or the last substantive visa held by the applicant is/was a Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa or a Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa, the applicant must have held that visa for at least 3 years at the time of application unless exceptional circumstances exist.
Points Table for Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa in the Points-tested Stream
Age | Points |
---|---|
at least 18 but less than 25 years | 25 |
at least 25 but less than 33 years | 30 |
at least 33 but less than 40 years | 25 |
at least 40 but less than 45 years | 15 |
Skills Level | Points |
---|---|
Competent English | 0 |
Proficient English | 10 |
Superior English | 20 |
Number of Years | Points |
---|---|
Less than 3 years | 0 |
At least 3 but less than 5 years | 5 |
At least 5 but less than 8 years | 10 |
At least 8 years | 15 |
Number of Years | Points |
---|---|
Less than 1 year | 0 |
At least 1 but less than 3 years | 5 |
At least 3 but less than 5 years | 10 |
At least 5 years but less than 8 years | 15 |
At least 8 years | 20 |
Requirement | Points |
---|---|
A Doctorate from an Australian educational institution or a Doctorate from another educational institution, that is of a recognised standard. | 20 |
At least a Bachelor degree from an Australian educational institution or at least a Bachelor qualification, from another educational institution, that is of a recognised standard. | 15 |
A diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution. | 10 |
Attained a qualification or award recognised by the relevant assessing authority for your nominated skilled occupation as being suitable for that occupation. | 10 |
Please note: For points based migration you will receive points for your highest qualification only. |
Requirement | Points |
---|---|
A Masters degree by research or a Doctorate degree from an Australian educational institution that included at least 2 academic years study in a relevant field. | 10 |
The postgraduate degree by research (doctorate or masters) must be awarded from an Australian education institution after at least 2 academic years of study in the following science, technology, engineering, mathematics or specified information and communication technology (ICT) fields:
|
Requirement | Points |
---|---|
Meet the Australian study requirement. | 5 |
Requirement | Points |
---|---|
Completion of a Professional Year in Australia. | 5 |
Requirement | Points |
---|---|
Hold a recognised qualification in a credentialled community language. | 5 |
Requirement | Points |
---|---|
You must have at least 1 degree, diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution that satisfies the Australian study requirement obtained while living and studying in an eligible area of regional Australia. | 5 |
Requirement | Points |
---|---|
Your spouse or de facto partner must also be an applicant for this visa and meet age, English and skill criteria.
For you to be eligible for the award of these points your partner must be an applicant for the same visa subclass and must not be an Australian permanent resident or an Australian citizen. Additionally, you will need to provide evidence that when you were invited to apply for this visa that they:
|
10 |
Your spouse or de facto partner must also be an applicant for this visa and has competent English.
For you to be eligible for the award of these points your partner must be an applicant for the same visa subclass and must not be an Australian permanent resident or an Australian citizen. |
5 |
You are single or your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident. | 10 |
Condition 8515 - Must not marry or enter into a de facto relationship before entering Australia
If this visa is granted when the secondary applicant is outside Australia, the holder of this visa must not marry or enter into a de facto relationship before entering Australia.This condition usually applies to secondary applicant(s) who are not married or in a de facto relationship and are still dependent on the primary visa applicant prior to visa grant. For example, child of primary visa applicant who is also a secondary applicant for this visa must not married or enter into a de facto relationship prior to entering Australia for the first time.
Breaching this visa condition will render the said visa with the condition 8515 subject to cancellation.
Must Read for Australia 189 Visa
⇒ Latest Skilled Occupation List
⇒ Latest Priority Migration Skills Occupation List (PMSOL)
⇒ Is it worth to use a Registered Migration Agent to manage the 189 visa application?