189 Independent

The subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa allows suitably qualified highly skilled individuals to come to Australia and stay permanently. The applicant may apply under the points tested or NZ citizen stream

Other than for the 189 New Zealand stream, there are three (3) stages to successfully applying for the subclass 189 visa. These include:

1. Applicant must achieve at least 65 points on the points test and submit an Expression of Interest to the Department's online Skills Select system;
2. Applicant must have received an invitation from the Department to apply for the 189 visa in the occupation chosen in the EOI;
3. Applicant must apply for the 189 visa in their chosen occupation within 60 days of the Department issuing the invitation.

Eligibility

For the subclass 189 visa in the New Zealand stream, the primary applicant must:

1. Hold a NZ Special Category (subclass 444) visa; and
2. Have been continuously resident in Australia for 5 years, starting on or before 19 February 2016; and 
3. Have had a taxable income at or above the income threshold for each income year in the four (4) years prior to lodging an application, unless exempt.

For the subclass 189 visa in the points tested stream, the primary applicant must:

1. Have achieved a score of at least 65 points on the points test (75 is currently recommended);
2. Hold an invitation from the Department in relation to your expression of interest (EOI);
3. Hold a valid positive skills assessment for the occupation you chose in your EOI;
4. Have chosen an occupation from the relevant skilled occupation list;
5. Meet all relevant health and character requirements;
6. Be under 45 years old at time of invitation;
7. Have a 'competent' level of English.

Points Test

The points test details the points allocated for meeting certain criteria under the different specified categories.

GSM Points Test Tables

Occupations

The subclass 189 visa uses a modified version of the Medium Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).

Skills - Experience

Applicants for the subclass 189 visa in the points tested stream must have their skills assessed by the relevant skills assessing authority, based on the level of qualification, skills and experience listed in the ANZSCO for the relevant chosen occupation.