The 189 visa Australia eligibility criteria are among the most crucial aspects to understand if you’re aiming for permanent residency through the Skilled Independent visa. In 2025, Australia continues to be a top destination for skilled workers worldwide, but gaining this visa requires strict adherence to eligibility requirements. This article explores every essential detail you need to know to qualify for the Subclass 189 visa confidently.
The 189 visa (Skilled Independent Subclass 189) is a points-tested visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, state, or family member. It allows you to live and work anywhere in Australia as a permanent resident. What makes this visa attractive is that it grants PR from day one and doesn’t bind you to a specific region or employer.
This visa is ideal for people who possess skills in demand in Australia and who meet specific points and eligibility criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs.
You are eligible to apply if:
You work in an occupation listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
You have a skills assessment for that occupation
You meet the points requirement (usually 65 or more)
You’re under 45 years of age
You have competent English
It’s important that you’re invited to apply via SkillSelect after submitting your Expression of Interest.
To be eligible for the Subclass 189 visa in 2025, you must:
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Be invited to apply after meeting the cut-off points
Be aged under 45 at the time of invitation
Have a valid skills assessment
Score at least 65 points on the immigration points test
Meet English language requirements
Pass character and health checks
Meeting the minimum doesn’t guarantee an invitation—higher scores improve your chances.
You must be under 45 years of age when you’re invited to apply. However, you can submit your EOI before turning 45. Once invited, your age at the time of invitation locks in.
Age impacts your points:
25–32 years: 30 points
33–39 years: 25 points
40–44 years: 15 points
Only occupations on the MLTSSL are eligible for the 189 visa. These include professions in engineering, healthcare, IT, construction, and more.
You must ensure your nominated occupation:
Appears on the official list
Matches the ANZSCO code
Can be positively assessed by a relevant assessing authority
A skills assessment validates that your qualifications and experience meet Australian standards. Each profession has a specific assessing authority, such as:
Engineers Australia
ACS (Australian Computer Society)
AITSL (for teachers)
The outcome must be positive and less than 3 years old at the time of invitation.
Australia uses a points-based system to determine your eligibility for skilled migration. Here’s how points are distributed:
| Criteria | Max Points |
|---|---|
| Age | 30 |
| English Proficiency | 20 |
| Work Experience | 20 |
| Education Qualifications | 20 |
| Australian Study | 5 |
| Specialist Education | 10 |
| Partner Skills | 10 |
| NAATI or Professional Year | 5 |
| Regional Study | 5 |
The minimum required score is 65 points, but due to high competition, most occupations receive invitations at 85+ points. To improve your chances, aim higher by enhancing English skills, claiming partner points, or completing a professional year.
You need at least Competent English, demonstrated by:
IELTS: 6.0 in each band
PTE Academic: 50 in each band
TOEFL iBT: 12 Listening, 13 Reading, 21 Writing, 18 Speaking
For higher points:
Proficient English: IELTS 7.0 = 10 points
Superior English: IELTS 8.0 = 20 points
A better score significantly improves your points test outcome.
Submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) is mandatory and is done via SkillSelect, Australia’s online immigration system. EOIs stay active for two years and can be updated.
You must:
Choose your occupation and assessing body
Enter your qualifications, experience, English test scores
Wait to be invited during monthly invitation rounds
If your EOI ranks competitively, you may be issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for the 189 visa. You have 60 days to lodge your visa application once invited.
More competitive occupations receive invitations more frequently, so score and timing matter.
Applicants must meet health and character standards, which include:
Medical examinations and chest x-rays
Police clearance from all countries lived in for over 12 months
No serious criminal background
These assessments are compulsory for all included family members.
While there is no fixed amount of funds required for the 189 visa, having financial stability supports your intent to settle successfully. You might be asked for proof of:
Savings
Assets
Employment prospects in Australia
As of 2025, the visa application fee is:
Primary applicant: AUD $4,640
Additional applicant over 18: AUD $2,320
Additional applicant under 18: AUD $1,160
Fees may vary based on exchange rates and future policy updates.
Processing times can vary, but typically:
75% of applications: processed within 8 months
90% of applications: processed within 12 months
Delays may occur due to incomplete documentation or medical/security checks.
You can include the following in your application:
Spouse or de facto partner
Dependent children
Partner’s children
They must meet health and character criteria and may need to provide documents like birth or marriage certificates.
Holders of a 189 visa enjoy several benefits:
Permanent residency from day one
Access to Medicare (public healthcare)
Ability to sponsor relatives
Eligibility for Australian citizenship after four years
Freedom to live, work, or study anywhere in Australia
Yes, the 189 visa allows both onshore and offshore applications. You can:
Apply from outside Australia
Be granted the visa while offshore
Enter Australia after grant
Ensure your documents are notarized and translated if applying overseas.
Onshore applications may be eligible for Bridging Visas, allowing you to stay in Australia while the 189 visa is processed. Offshore applicants must wait until grant before entry.
Common pitfalls include:
Inaccurate or outdated information
Invalid skills assessment
Insufficient points at invitation time
Missing documents
Failing health or character tests
Always double-check your application before submission.
Boost your chances with:
Higher English test scores
Partner points (if your partner has a skilled occupation)
State nomination (for 190 or 491 visas)
Professional year programs
Completing a qualification in Australia
189 visa holders can:
Work full-time in any sector
Open businesses
Buy property
Enroll in public education
Access social security benefits (after qualifying period)
Australia offers a high quality of life and global career opportunities.
While the 189 visa is independent, 190 visas require state nomination. Differences:
189: More freedom, no location restrictions
190: Comes with obligations to stay in nominating state for at least 2 years
189: Permanent residency
491: Temporary, 5-year visa with pathway to PR after 3 years
491 requires living in regional areas; 189 does not.
If you’re onshore, you may receive a Bridging Visa A once your 189 visa is lodged, allowing you to remain lawfully in Australia until a decision is made.
After submission:
Application is assessed
Additional documents may be requested
You’ll be notified of the outcome
Visa is granted electronically
You must enter Australia before a specified first entry date.
The 189 visa is permanent, so there’s no renewal needed. You can live in Australia indefinitely and travel in and out freely for 5 years. After that, apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV) or citizenship.
Yes, after holding a PR visa like 189 for 4 years and living in Australia for 3 of them (with 12 months as a PR), you can apply for Australian citizenship.
Many applicants lodge their own applications, but a migration agent can help if your case is complex. Agents are MARA registered and can guide you through appeals if needed.
Many skilled professionals from India, the UK, and South Africa have successfully migrated through the 189 visa. Planning ahead, maintaining documentation, and keeping your EOI updated are keys to success.
Keep your EOI up-to-date
Recheck the occupation list regularly
Don’t underestimate English preparation
Use trusted assessment bodies
Apply early before your 45th birthday
What is the minimum age for the 189 visa?
You must be under 45 when invited. There is no minimum age, but most applicants are working-age adults.
How many points do I need for the 189 visa?
The minimum is 65 points, but most occupations require 85 or more due to high competition.
Can I include my partner in the application?
Yes, and if your partner has a skilled occupation, you may earn extra points.
Do I need a job offer to apply?
No, the 189 visa does not require sponsorship or a job offer.
Can I apply for the 189 visa twice?
Yes, you can resubmit an EOI or apply again if conditions change or you didn’t receive an invitation.
Is IELTS mandatory for the 189 visa?
IELTS or an equivalent English test is required unless you’re from an English-speaking country.
