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Skilled independent Visa 189

Subclass 189 · Skilled Independent

Skilled Independent visa 189
permanent residence on your own merit

No sponsor. No state nomination. No conditions on where you live in Australia. If your points score is strong, the 189 is the cleanest route to calling Australia home for good.

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At a Glance
189 Skilled Independent
Type
Permanent
Sponsor needed
No
Points minimum
65 (invitation higher)
Age limit
Under 45 at invitation
Work rights
Unrestricted - anywhere
Family included
Yes

Is the 189 Right for You?

The 189 suits you if you have a skilled occupation, a solid points score, and you'd rather not be tied to one state or an employer. It's the most flexible skilled visa there is - grant it and you can live and work anywhere in Australia, with no conditions attached, from day one.

The trade-off: it's also the most competitive. There's nothing to boost your score beyond what you bring yourself. If your score is sitting a little low, that's not necessarily the end of the road - it often just means a 190 or 491 is the smarter play for now, where WA nomination adds points and gets you over the line faster.

Three Things Need to Line Up

Before the 189 is on the table, all three of these have to be in place.

01

Your occupation must be on the skilled list

The relevant national skilled occupation list needs to include your job. If it doesn't, the 189 isn't available to you nationally - but check WA's own list before giving up.

02

A positive skills assessment

The assessing authority for your occupation needs to confirm your qualifications and experience meet Australian standards. Getting this right the first time saves months.

03

Enough points to be invited

At least 65 to enter the pool - but invitation scores are typically higher. You also need competent English and to be under 45 at the time you receive your invitation.

How the Points Work

Your score is built from your age, English level, qualifications, skilled work experience, and a range of other factors. The closer to the top of the range, the sooner you're likely to be invited.

Small gains matter.

A higher English score, additional years of skilled experience, or a partner who also holds skills can each move your total. We check these systematically because a modest improvement can shift you from waiting to invited in the next round.

189 vs 190 vs 491 at a Glance

If your score needs a lift, the choice usually comes down to these three. The Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa needs no sponsor, so it suits high-point applicants. State nomination or a regional pathway can each add points - and the +5 and +15 figures below are state and regional, set by Western Australia, not national.

Visa Sponsor / nominator Points boost Outcome Where you can live
189 Skilled Independent None None Permanent residence Anywhere in Australia
190 Skilled Nominated State or territory (e.g. WA) +5 points [STATE] Permanent residence Usually the nominating state for around two years
491 Skilled Work Regional State or eligible family +15 points [STATE] Provisional, then 191 permanent residence Designated regional area - Perth currently counts

If you are a few points short, WA nomination through the 190 or the regional 491 may open the door, since Perth being treated as regional can add up to 15 points. We can check which pathway you may qualify for, depending on your occupation and circumstances. Our fees depend on your circumstances and we quote in writing - see how we quote.

How It Works, Start to Finish

  1. 01

    We check your occupation, score and eligibility

    An honest read before you invest in assessments and tests. If a nominated visa would get you there faster, we'll say so upfront.

  2. 02

    Skills assessment and English test

    We guide you on exactly what each assessing authority needs, so the paperwork is right the first time and nothing delays your EOI.

  3. 03

    Expression of Interest in SkillSelect

    Your EOI goes into the pool with your claimed score. Every claim needs to be accurate and defensible - we make sure it is.

  4. 04

    Application after invitation

    When an invitation comes, you have 60 days to lodge a complete application. We prepare it properly, manage the department's requests, and get you to your decision.

Common Questions

65 gets you into the pool, but invitation scores are usually considerably higher - they vary by occupation and change round by round. Rather than guess, we'll check your actual score, look at the recent invitation data for your occupation, and tell you honestly whether you're there or what it would take to get there.
No. The 189 is based entirely on your skills and your points - there's no job offer and no sponsor needed. Once it's granted, you can work for any employer, anywhere in Australia. That flexibility is exactly what makes it attractive, and exactly what makes the invitation threshold competitive.
Yes. Your partner and dependent children can be included in the application and receive permanent residence alongside you. If your partner also holds a skills assessment, their skills can add to your total points - worth checking before you lodge.
Not necessarily. Western Australia runs its own occupation list (WASMOL), and some occupations appear on that even when they're missing nationally. WA nomination through the 190 or 491 would then be the route in. We always check every list that applies to you before drawing any conclusions.
It depends. Your expression of interest sits in the SkillSelect pool until a round selects scores at or above the cut-off for your occupation, and that cut-off moves round by round. A higher score is generally invited sooner. Once you do receive an invitation and lodge a complete application, 189 processing typically runs around three to six months, though timeframes change and the department gives no guarantee. We check the recent invitation pattern for your occupation so you have a realistic read rather than a promise.
The assessing authority depends on your occupation - engineers, accountants, trades and IT roles each go to a different body, and each has its own evidence requirements and cost. You need a positive assessment before your points claim for skills will count. We confirm the correct authority for your occupation, tell you what they expect, and help you get the submission right the first time so a fixable detail doesn't cost you months.
It depends on the visa you already hold. If you are onshore and your current substantive visa is ending, lodging a valid 189 application may grant a bridging visa that can let you stay lawful, sometimes with work rights, while the application is decided. The conditions vary with your situation, so confirm your specific status before you rely on it. The 189 itself only gives you work rights once it is granted.
You may be able to seek merits review at the Administrative Review Tribunal (the ART, which replaced the AAT and IAA on 14 October 2024). The deadline depends on your circumstances - commonly around 21 to 28 days from the date on your decision letter, with shorter windows in some situations, so the date on your own letter is what counts. The ART review fee is around AUD 3,580, and roughly half may be refunded if your review succeeds. Depending on why the application was refused, lodging a fresh expression of interest, fixing a points or assessment issue, or a 190 or 491 pathway can sometimes be the better move. We look at the refusal reasons before recommending a step.
Yes. As a permanent visa, the 189 carries health and character requirements. You and any family members included usually need to complete a health examination with a panel clinic, and you provide police certificates from each country where you have lived for the relevant period. These are typically arranged after you lodge, when the department asks for them. We tell you what to expect early so nothing catches you out near the decision.
If the 189 Isn't Quite It

A 189 needs a strong score. If yours needs a lift, one of these might suit you better.

+5 Points

190 Skilled Nominated

WA nominates you, you get five extra points and the same permanent residence from day one. A great lift if your score is close but not quite there.

About the 190
+15 Points

491 Skilled Work Regional

The biggest points boost available - and Perth counts as regional for the 491. Leads to permanent residence through the 191 after three years.

About the 491
WA Advantage

WA State Nomination

The key to both the 190 and 491. WA also has its own occupation list - your job might qualify even if it's off the national list.

How WA Nomination Works

Written and reviewed by Brian Chan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2217857)

Visa Store Australia, Perth · Last reviewed June 2026 · Verify on the MARA register · General information only, not personal migration advice.

Ready to find out where you stand?

Tell us your occupation, qualifications and work history. We'll give you an honest read - no spin.

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Skilled Independent Visa (189) Permanent residence · no sponsor needed
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