Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
Permanent residence without a job offer or sponsor, awarded by invitation from a points-ranked pool. A skills assessment in an occupation on the relevant list is the gateway.
Who it is for. People under 45 with an assessed skilled occupation, strong English and relevant experience.
Worth knowing. Points come from age, English, skilled employment, qualifications and partner skills. Reaching the 65-point minimum does not secure an invitation: effective cut-offs in most occupations run far higher, and invitation rounds for this subclass have been limited in recent years.
- Income required
- Not stated
- Savings required
- Not stated
- Investment required
- None
- Application fee
- A$4,885
- Processing time
- 180–540 days
- Permission lasts
- —
- Permanent residence
- Not via this route
- Citizenship
- After 4 years
Not renewable
Sources
Worth knowing. Points come from age, English, skilled employment, qualifications and partner skills. Reaching the 65-point minimum does not secure an invitation: effective cut-offs in most occupations run far higher, and invitation rounds for this subclass have been limited in recent years.
Check this against
- Visa finder, eligibility and application charges (opens in a new tab)Department of Home Affairs · National immigration authority