Subclass 189 Through SkillSelect: Requirements and Pathway

What is the subclass 189 visa?

The subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) visa is a permanent residence visa for highly skilled workers who want to migrate to Australia without an employer sponsor, a state or territory nomination, or a relative in Australia sponsoring them. It is the most independent pathway in Australia’s skilled migration system.

The subclass 189 visa is open to citizens of all countries and does not require you to live in any particular location in Australia once the visa is granted.

Basic eligibility to lodge a subclass 189 EOI

An occupation on the MLTSSL

Only occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) are eligible for the subclass 189 visa. This is a list updated periodically by the Department of Home Affairs, covering occupations for which Australia has a long-term need. You need to check whether your occupation is on the MLTSSL before starting the process.

A valid skills assessment

You need to complete a skills assessment with the assessing authority appropriate to your occupation under the corresponding ANZSCO code. The skills assessment must still be valid (usually 3 years) at the time you lodge the EOI and when you lodge the visa application.

Minimum English proficiency

The minimum English requirement is the Competent level (for example, IELTS Overall 6.0 with no band below 6.0). However, at this level you earn no English points in the points-based system. To be competitive, most applicants need to reach Proficient (IELTS 7.0+) or Superior (IELTS 8.0+).

Under 45 years old

At the time you are invited to apply (when you receive an ITA), you must be under 45 years old. Age also affects your score: under 25 or over 44 earns fewer points, while the 25–32 group earns the most (30 points).

A minimum of 65 points

Your EOI must reach at least 65 points to be valid in SkillSelect. However, 65 points is rarely enough to be competitive in practice — the cut-off score is usually much higher depending on the occupation.

The process from EOI to subclass 189

Step 1: Prepare your foundation documents

Before lodging the EOI, you need to have completed a skills assessment and obtained a valid English test result. These are two mandatory documents. In addition, calculate your expected points so you know where you stand on the competitive scale.

Step 2: Lodge an EOI in SkillSelect

Register an ImmiAccount and create an EOI. Declare full details about your occupation, qualifications, work experience, English proficiency, and other points-scoring factors. The EOI takes effect as soon as it is lodged and will be considered in the following invitation rounds.

Step 3: Wait for an invitation to apply (ITA)

The Department of Home Affairs runs periodic invitation rounds (usually twice a month). In each round, the Department invites the highest-scoring candidates for each occupation. If your score is high enough, you receive an ITA in your ImmiAccount inbox.

Step 4: Lodge the visa application within 60 days

After receiving the ITA, you have 60 days to lodge the formal subclass 189 application. This is a hard deadline — it cannot be extended. You need to prepare a complete set of documents, including: passport, health examination results, police clearances, qualifications, employment records, and all documents supporting the points claimed in your EOI.

Step 5: Assessment and visa decision

The processing time for the subclass 189 visa is usually from 6 months to over a year, depending on the state of your file and the Department’s workload. Once the visa is granted, you receive PR and can live and work in any state of Australia.

Advantages and limitations of the subclass 189 visa

Advantages: No geographic restrictions, no need for an employer or state sponsor, and PR immediately without going through a temporary visa.

Limitations: High cut-off scores and intense competition, especially for popular occupations. Many applicants wait for years or never reach enough points to be invited.