Visa subclass 189 · Skilled (points-tested) · permanent
Subclass 189 Skilled Independent: 2026 eligibility, points and processing
The 189 is Australia’s flagship permanent residence visa for skilled workers who can score the points test without state nomination or employer sponsorship. It is points-tested, age-capped at under 45, and requires a positive skills assessment in an occupation on the relevant skilled list.
★Key takeaways
- ✓Subclass 189 Skilled Independent is a permanent visa for skilled (points-tested) applicants.
- ✓Points test: 65 minimum, 90+ competitive (current rounds).
- ✓Processing: 13 months median (source: Department of Home Affairs Global Visa Processing Times, January 2026).
- ✓Primary VAC1: $4,640. VAC2 (English): $4,885 where applicable.
- ✓Path to PR: PR granted on visa approval.
At a glance
Stream
permanent, open for new applications
Age limit
Under 45 years at time of invitation. No exemptions in current policy settings.
Work rights
Unrestricted. PR from grant. Includes Medicare, social security after 4 years’ residence, and right to sponsor family.
Path to PR
PR granted on visa approval. Citizenship eligible after 4 years’ lawful residence including 12 months as PR.
Eligibility
Eligibility checklist
Every box below must tick before lodgement. Missing any one of them either makes the visa impossible or pushes the applicant into a different subclass.
- Under 45 years of age at time of invitation
- Competent English (IELTS 6 each band or equivalent PTE / TOEFL / OET / Cambridge)
- Nominated occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) at time of invitation
- Positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority (e.g. ACS for IT, Engineers Australia for engineers, VETASSESS for many trades and professionals)
- Score at least 65 points on the points test (in practice, invitations require 80–95+ for most occupations)
- Meet health and character requirements (Form 80, AFP and overseas police checks, medicals)
Points test
Points threshold for subclass 189
Source: Department of Home Affairs SkillSelect invitation round results. Cut-offs are updated each round and vary by occupation.
Processing time
How long does it take?
Published by Home Affairs as 25th, 50th and 90th percentile times. Individual processing can be faster or slower depending on documentation, country of passport and decision-ready status.
| 25% of applications | 50% (median) | 90% of applications |
|---|---|---|
| 8 months | 13 months | 22 months |
Department of Home Affairs Global Visa Processing Times, January 2026. See current processing times across all subclasses.
Cost
Visa Application Charge
| Applicant | VAC1 (lodgement) |
|---|---|
| Primary applicant | $4,640 |
| Partner (secondary) | $2,320 |
| Child (secondary) | $1,160 |
| VAC2 (non-functional English, primary) | $4,885 |
VAC1 from 1 July 2025. Second instalment applies only when the primary or dependent does not meet functional English.
In depth
What you actually need to know
The 189 sits at the top of Australia’s skilled migration hierarchy because the visa-holder owes nothing to a state, territory or employer once it is granted. Invitations are issued by Home Affairs via SkillSelect after an Expression of Interest is lodged and ranked by points score. In practice, the competitive cut-off for invitations during 2024–26 has run well above the published 65-point minimum, often 90–95 for popular occupations like software engineering and accounting.
The points test rewards age (peaks at 25–32), English (Superior English = 20 points), skilled employment in Australia and overseas, qualifications, and a small but useful boost from a partner with skills. Australian study, regional study, professional year programs and the partner-skills component are the levers most applicants pull to push their score past 90.
There is no employer or state involvement, no nomination quota and no regional residence obligation. The trade-off is that the bar is higher than the points-equivalent thresholds for 190 (state nominated) and 491 (regional provisional), and the invitation rounds are smaller. Most applicants serious about PR run a 189 and a 190 EOI in parallel and accept whichever invitation lands first.
Visa conditions to know
- No 8503 (no further stay) condition
- Standard PR conditions: maintain residence to qualify for Resident Return Visa at 5 years
Occupations covered
Occupations on the MLTSSL (e.g. Software Engineer 261313, Registered Nurse 254499, Civil Engineer 233211, Secondary School Teacher 241411).
Pathway to permanent residence
PR granted on visa approval. Citizenship eligible after 4 years’ lawful residence including 12 months as PR.
Common questions
Subclass 189 Skilled Independent – common questions
How many points do I really need for a 189?
The published minimum is 65 but invitations are issued from the top of the queue down. During 2024–26 rounds, most professional occupations needed 90–95 points to receive an invitation within 12 months. Nurses, teachers and a few in-demand trades have invited at 80–85. Check the Department’s SkillSelect invitation round publications for the most recent cut-offs by occupation.
Can I include my partner on a 189?
Yes. Your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children under 18 (or under 23 if a student dependent) can be included on the application. Partner skills can also add 5–10 points to your test score if they have a positive skills assessment in an occupation on the same list and meet age and English requirements.
What if my occupation drops off the MLTSSL after I lodge?
For 189, the relevant test is whether the occupation was on the MLTSSL on the date of invitation. If you have already been invited and lodged, a later list change does not affect your application. If you are still in the EOI queue when an occupation is removed, you cannot be invited under that occupation.
Is there a regional 189?
No. The 189 is unrestricted nationally. The regional equivalent of points-tested skilled migration is the 491 (Skilled Work Regional Provisional) which transitions to the 191 after 3 years of regional residence. Regional residence brings a 15-point bonus but a 5-year provisional period.
Source
Primary source for this page
Information on this page is summarised from the Department of Home Affairs visa listing for subclass 189. Always confirm details against the primary source before lodging.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-independent-189 →
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