189 visa - Skilled Independent Visa
The 189 Visa is your opportunity to live and work in Australia permanently.
The visa is broadly considered to be the best permanent residency subclass in Australia as it allows holders to travel freely within any Australian state while living in Metropolitan cities such as Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane as well as in regional states.
Our lawyers at MJ Legal are experts in skilled migration. We will provide you with up to date information and guide you on the fastest pathway to permanent residency.
Skill Assessment Application
Unsure which skill assessment to obtain? We are here to help!
Did you know that different skills have different prospects of securing a skilled migration outcome? The Australian skilled migration list is divided into 3 parts. Medium to long term list (MLTSSL), short term list and regional list. Only skills that fall into the MLTSSL are eligible for the Subclass 189 visa.
We will advise you on the skill assessment that is most suitable to you depending on your education and background.
We will handle the entire process of your skill assessment application, including submitting all necessary supporting documents. We will also stay in touch with the skill-assessing body to clarify any questions they may have on your application.
Expression of Interest
Once you have received a successful skill assessment the next step is to express an interest in migrating (EOI) to Australia.
Before submitting an EOI you must ensure that you have at least 65 points on the Australia points table.
This is one of the most crucial stages, because receiving an invitation to migrate will entirely depend on your expression of interest.
We check all your documents and ensure that you have the required evidence to claim maximum points. We will then lodge an Expression of Interest with the federal government of Australia.
Making your visa application
Received an invitation from the federal government?
You have 60 days from receiving the invitation to apply for permanent residency via the Subclass 189 visa.
You must ensure that all of your documents are valid and that the points you have claimed is accurate, before you lodge your visa application.
Sit back and relax as we prepare and submit your visa application with all the documents required by the department.
189 Visa Requirements
Do you meet the following requirements? If so, you are eligible to apply for a Subclass 189 visa.
Under 45 years of age at the time of invitation
Have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupations list
Have a positive skill assessment for your nominated occupation
Have a score of at least 65 points on the points table
Have competent English i.e. IELTS 6.0 for each band or PTE 50 for each component
Receive an invitation to apply
Meet the Australian health and character requirements
Need help with your 189 visa? Talk to our experts!
Contact usFinding your occupation on the skilled occupation list & getting your skill assessment
Your nominated occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
Thereafter, you must obtain a skill assessment to prove that you have the required qualifications and skills for your nominated occupation in Australia. Skill assessments are conducted by various skill-assessing bodies depending on the occupation. You'll need to ensure that your skill assessment is valid at the time you are invited.
Skill assessments are usually valid for a 3-year period, unless otherwise specified on the assessment outcome.
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Calculating your points for the Skilled Independent visa
Do you have the required minimum points to apply?
You are required to have at least 65 points on the Australian points test calculator to be eligible to receive an invitation. Points are allocated for your age, English language ability, tertiary education qualifications and work experience amongst others.
Applicants with higher points are invited to make their visa applications first.
Want to increase your points to stand a better chance of being invited?
- Undertake the NAATI examination in your native language
- Obtain proficient or superior English i.e. IELTS 7.0 or 8.0 respectively
- Get your partner to meet the English language requirement
Skilled Independent 189 Visa Costs
Department fees for the SC 189 visa:
- Main applicant: AUD 4,240.00
- Secondary applicant over 18 years: AUD 2,120.00
- Secondary applicant under 18 years: AUD 1,060.00
- Second instalment charge: AUD 4,885
Skill assessment fees
You must make an additional payment to the relevant skill-assessing body to obtain your skill assessment.
Skill assessments can cost from AUD 600.00 upwards.
Other fees
You will incur costs to meet the English language requirement, and other requirements in order to be eligible for an invitation to apply
Our costs
Contact us to find out our costs for supporting you with your permanent residency application.
Living in Australia under the 189 visa
The SC 189 visa does not impose any conditions on permanent residency.
Become a permanent resident on the grant of this visa
Live, work and study without restrictions in Australia
Apply for Australian citizenship
Bring your partner and children with you
Access Australian healthcare
FAQs
- You can be in Australia or outside Australia when you apply for the subclass 189 visa and when you receive an invitation. However, you cannot apply from immigration clearance.
- You must be a holder of a substantive visa, SC 010 Bridging A visa, SC 020 Bridging B visa, or SC 030 Bridging C visa if you are applying in Australia.
- After you are granted the Skilled Independent SC 189 visa, you can travel to and from Australia without any limits for a period of five years.
- However, you must obtain a Resident Return (RRV) visa (SC 155 or 157) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident, after the five year time limit.
For the SC 189 visa application, you are required to submit the following documents:
- Identity - Passport and Birth certificate.
- Marriage certificate or proof of a de facto relationship if your partner is applying with you.
- Skill assessment documents including education qualification, work experience, and evidence of English language proficiency.
Character documents such as a National Police Certificate issued by the Australian Federal Police if you have lived in Australia for a minimum of one year in the last 10 years, as well as overseas police certificates from every country where you have stayed for at least one year in the last 10 years.