Your Pathway to Permanent Residency in Australia

The Subclass 189 visa is a permanent skilled migration visa for highly skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, state/territory government, or family member. Applicants must be invited through the SkillSelect EOI system and meet skills assessment, points test, and English requirements.

You must have an eligible occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), hold a positive Skills Assessment, meet the points test, be under 45 at invitation, and receive an EOI invitation from Home Affairs. Onshore applicants must also hold a substantive visa or be eligible for a Bridging Visa.

You must demonstrate at least Competent English using an accepted English test such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL iBT, OET, CAE, or the newly added accepted English language tests (Aug 2025 update). Higher English scores help increase your points.

No. Subclass 189 is a fully independent visa. You do not need a state, employer, or family sponsor. Your invitation is based solely on your EOI score, occupation ceiling availability, and DHA processing priorities.

The legal minimum is 65 points, but competitive occupations often require 80+ points to receive an invitation. Points fluctuate based on demand, occupation ceilings, and DHA invitation rounds. Higher English, work experience, and education points increase your chances.

Processing times vary depending on caseload and security checks. On average, DHA takes around 6–10 months after you lodge a complete application. If additional background or health checks are needed, it may take longer.

Yes. You can include your spouse/partner and dependent children in the main application or add them after lodgement. All family members must meet health and character requirements, and partners may contribute additional points if they have a skills assessment or Competent English.

Yes, a valid Skills Assessment from the relevant assessing authority is mandatory before submitting your EOI. It must be valid at the time of invitation and must align with the nominated occupation.

Yes, onshore applicants can apply if they hold a valid substantive visa and meet EOI invitation requirements. You will typically receive a Bridging Visa A (BVA) that allows you to stay in Australia while your 189 visa is being processed.

Yes. Subclass 189 is a direct PR visa. Once granted, you receive a 5-year travel facility, Medicare access, unlimited work rights, and the ability to sponsor eligible relatives. After fulfilling residency requirements, you may be eligible for Australian citizenship.

It can be competitive because the visa is independent and based purely on points and occupation ceilings. High-demand occupations often require very strong EOI scores. Many applicants explore state nomination (190/491) for a more achievable invitation pathway.

No. There are no location restrictions for 189 visa holders. You can live and work anywhere in Australia immediately after grant.

Yes. You can update your EOI if your circumstances change—such as new English results, employment experience, or qualifications. Updating your EOI may increase your points and improve your invitation chances.

Yes. Your occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and must match the skills assessment outcome. If your occupation is not on the CSOL, you may need to consider alternative visas such as 190 or 491.