189 Visa Australia:
Skilled Independent Visa
The subclass 189 is a permanent, points tested visa for invited skilled workers. No employer, state or territory sponsor needed, and you can live, work and study anywhere in Australia.
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The 189 at a glance
Points tested, and you can only apply if the Department of Home Affairs invites you.
Permanent
Live, work and study
Anywhere in Australia, with Medicare and a path to citizenship if eligible.
No sponsor
Independent
No employer, state or territory sponsor needed.
Under 45
When you are invited
If you turn 45 after an invitation, you can still apply.
65 points
The minimum
Meeting it does not guarantee an invitation.
189 Visa Requirements
You must meet all of these. Meeting them does not mean you will be invited. (Home Affairs eligibility)
Eligible occupationOn the relevant skilled occupation listRead more
Your nominated occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list for the 189 visa (points-tested stream).
Suitable skills assessmentPositive, under 3 years old when invitedRead more
A positive assessment from the assessing authority listed for your occupation, obtained within the 3 years before your invitation. If it is based on an Australian qualification gained on a student visa, the course must be CRICOS-registered.
AgeUnder 45 when invitedRead more
If you turn 45 after an invitation, you can still apply. If you turn 45 after submitting your EOI but before an invitation, you will not be invited.
EnglishAt least competent English when invitedRead more
This is generally IELTS 6 in each of the four components (or an approved equivalent), or citizenship and a valid passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or Ireland. See the full list of accepted tests.
InvitationAn EOI in SkillSelect, then an invitationRead more
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect and be invited. You then have 60 days to lodge.
PointsAt least 65 pointsRead more
Your invitation states the score you must hold when your application is assessed, which can be higher. Take the points test.
Health and characterFor you and family applying with youRead more
You and any family members applying with you must meet health and character requirements. Adults sign the Australian values statement, and debts to the Australian Government must be repaid or arranged.
Visa status in AustraliaIf you apply from within AustraliaRead more
If you apply in Australia, you must hold a substantive visa or a Bridging A, B or C visa. Holders of a 491 or 494 visa must have held it for at least 3 years.
Other pathways
Don’t meet all of these?
Other pathways may be worth discussing with an agent. State or territory nomination is not part of the 189 points test.
How to Apply for the 189 Visa
Check your occupation and points.
Get your skills assessment and English result.
Your assessing authority sets its own process and fees.
Submit your EOI in SkillSelect.
You can update it before an invitation.
Wait for an invitation.
Invitations are issued in rounds.
Lodge within 60 days, with evidence for your claims.
Home Affairs prefers health checks to be done before you apply.
If you are not invited, you cannot lodge a 189 application.
How 189 Invitations Work
Highest scores first
The highest-scoring EOIs are invited first. If scores are equal, the EOI that reached its score earlier goes first.
Occupation ceilings
Occupation ceilings may limit invitations in an occupation group.
65 to 100 points
Minimum invited scores differ by occupation. In the 4 June 2026 round, they ranged from 65 to 100.
Check the Home Affairs invitation rounds page to see where your occupation sits. You can update your EOI as your circumstances change. Other pathways, such as the 190, 491 or employer sponsorship, may also be worth discussing with an agent.
Want a view of your occupation, points and options?
Book a migration consultation with a registered migration agent.
189 Visa Processing Time
There are two separate waits. Unfortunately, Home Affairs does not give a fixed timeframe for either.
Waiting for an invitation (after you submit an EOI).
An EOI is not a visa application. It stays in SkillSelect until a round selects it. Timing depends on your points, your occupation, the size of each round and any occupation ceilings.
Processing your visa application (after you lodge).
Home Affairs assesses each application case by case. Since 19 September 2026, 189 applications are prioritised under Ministerial Direction 122.
- Priority goes first to certain sectors (including construction, healthcare, teaching and agriculture),
- then to applicants who were in Australia when they lodged,
- then to primary applicants who were outside Australia.
At the time of writing (13 October 2026), Home Affairs reported it was processing applications lodged in or before June 2026 for the first two groups, and in or before November 2025 for applicants who were outside Australia. These dates have changed.
Time also depends on whether your application is complete, how quickly you respond to requests, health, character and security checks, and places in the migration program. The Home Affairs processing times guide shows how long recently decided applications took. It is a guide, not a guarantee.
189 Visa Cost
Other costs may include
Skill assessment fees
English tests
Health examinations
Police certificates
Translations
Our Service Fees
A surcharge may apply to credit card or PayPal payments. For our service fees, see Service Fees.
If You Studied in Australia
Some graduates work on a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) first. That time may build work experience that counts, if it meets the rules above.
Want a view of your occupation, points and options?
Book a migration consultation with a registered migration agent.
Points
5 for meeting the Australian study requirement, and 5 more for study at a campus in a designated regional area (not by distance). A 12-month Professional Year in accounting, ICT or engineering adds 5.
Skills Assessment
A qualification gained on a student visa can be used only if the course was CRICOS-registered.
Work Experience
Australian work may add points if it was in your nominated or a closely related occupation and you complied with your visa conditions.
What the 189 Visa Allows
The visa is permanent. You can
- work and study anywhere in Australia,
- enrol in Medicare,
- include eligible family members,
- sponsor eligible relatives and,
- if eligible, apply for citizenship.
The travel component expires 5 years after grant, and a Resident Return visa is needed after that to re-enter as a permanent resident. Newly arrived residents may need to wait before accessing certain Australian Government payments.
Preparing Your Application
Check your English early.
Higher levels add points. If English is not your first language, plan your test date and practise beforehand.
Organise your evidence.
Keep evidence organised for work, qualifications and identity, and check every detail twice.
Watch for changes.
Rules, lists and fees change, so check Home Affairs before you act.
Success Stories
Jason came from India to study commercial cookery in Brisbane. On his Temporary Graduate visa, he completed the Job Ready Program, working as a chef for 12 months. This led to a full skills assessment. He was later invited to apply for the 189.
Studied in Brisbane
Temporary Graduate Visa
12 months as a Chef
Invited to apply for the 189
Jose studied a Master of Engineering for two years at Griffith University on the Gold Coast. With our help, he moved from a Student visa to a Temporary Graduate visa and then the 189. He now works as a Project Engineer.
Student Visa
Temporary Graduate Visa
189 Visa
Project Engineer
These are individual stories. Every case is different, and they do not predict anyone else’s outcome.
Talk to a registered migration agent
Our agents can review your occupation, skills assessment, English and points, and explain your options. A consultation provides information. It does not guarantee eligibility, an invitation or a visa grant.
What we’ll review with you
Occupation
Is it on the right list for your visa?
Skills assessment
Which body assesses you and what they need.
English
The test scores that count towards points.
Points
Where you stand today and where you could gain.
189 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Reviewed against Department of Home Affairs information on 13 October 2026. Rules, fees and processing priorities change, so check Home Affairs before you act.
Still have a question?
Talk to a registered migration agent about your occupation, skills assessment, English and points.
Is the 189 visa permanent?
Yes. You can work and study anywhere in Australia, enrol in Medicare, include eligible family members, sponsor eligible relatives and, if eligible, apply for citizenship. The travel component expires 5 years after grant, and a Resident Return visa is needed after that to re-enter as a permanent resident. Newly arrived residents may need to wait before accessing certain Australian Government payments.
Do I need a sponsor?
No. You do not need an employer, state or territory sponsor. You can only apply if the Department of Home Affairs invites you.
What are the 189 visa requirements?
You generally need an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list, a suitable skills assessment obtained within 3 years before your invitation, at least competent English, and to be under 45 when invited. You also need at least 65 points and an invitation from Home Affairs. You and any family members applying with you must meet health and character requirements. Meeting the requirements does not guarantee an invitation.
What is an EOI?
An expression of interest (EOI) is not a visa application. You submit it in SkillSelect to tell Home Affairs you want to apply. Home Affairs ranks EOIs by points score and invites selected applicants in rounds. You can update your EOI before you are invited.
How many points do I need?
At least 65, but meeting 65 does not guarantee an invitation. Minimum invited scores differ by occupation and by round. Check the Home Affairs invitation rounds page for the latest. Work points are capped at 20 in total, and the work must be in your nominated or a closely related occupation, for at least 20 hours a week, within the 10 years before your invitation.
Find out where you stand with our points test.
How long does the 189 take?
There are two waits: for an invitation after your EOI, then for processing after you lodge. Invitations are issued in rounds, and timing depends on your points, occupation and any occupation ceilings. After you lodge, Home Affairs processes applications case by case under its processing priorities. Its processing time guide shows how long recently decided applications took. It is a guide only.
How much does the 189 cost?
Home Affairs lists the visa from AUD 6,135 for the main applicant, with a charge for each family member who applies with you. A second instalment may apply to applicants aged 18 or over with less than functional English, and Home Affairs lists it at AUD 4,885 for family members. Other costs, such as skills assessments, English tests and health checks, are separate. Use the Visa Pricing Estimator for your situation.
Can I apply from outside Australia?
Yes. You can apply from inside or outside Australia. If you apply in Australia, you must hold a substantive visa or a Bridging A, B or C visa.
Can I include my family?
Yes, eligible family members can apply with you. They must meet health and character requirements, and each additional applicant has a charge.
What if I turn 45?
If you turn 45 after an invitation, you can still apply. If you turn 45 after submitting your EOI but before an invitation, you will not be invited.
What is the difference between the 189, 190 and 491?
The 189 needs no sponsor. Home Affairs invites applicants based on their EOI points score. The 190 and the state or territory nominated 491 need a nomination from a state or territory government, and state nomination is not part of the 189 points test. The right option depends on your occupation and circumstances, so it may be worth discussing with an agent.
What if I am not invited?
You cannot lodge a 189 application without an invitation. You can update your EOI as your circumstances change, and other pathways, such as the 190, 491 or employer sponsorship, may also be worth discussing with an agent.
GET IN TOUCH
In case of questions, feel free to reach out to one of our experienced Registered Migration Agents.
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