The Skilled Independent visa — Subclass 189 checklist
The points-tested, permanent-residency pathway for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, state, or territory. Everything an applicant needs to organise before and after invitation.
What this visa is
The Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) visa is a permanent visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, a state or territory government, or a family member. Selection happens through SkillSelect — you lodge an Expression of Interest, the Department of Home Affairs runs invitation rounds based on points, and only invited candidates can lodge the visa itself.
Once granted, the 189 confers permanent residence with no regional restriction, full work and study rights anywhere in Australia, and access to Medicare. It is the most flexible of the three points-tested skilled streams — but also the most competitive.
Who lodges this visa
To be invited, you generally need:
- A suitable skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation, on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
- An Expression of Interest in SkillSelect that meets at least the 60-point threshold (most invitations in recent rounds have required significantly more than 60).
- To be under 45 years old on the date the invitation is issued.
- Competent English at a minimum, with bonus points for proficient or superior English.
The 60-day window from invitation to lodgement is non-negotiable — the Department does not extend it.
The eight collection categories
ReRooted organises the 189 requirements into eight collection categories that mirror the structure of the application:
- Pre-application eligibility — invitation, age, English, the 60-day window.
- Skills assessment — the positive outcome letter and the underlying qualifications and references it relied on.
- English language evidence — a current IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, OET, or Cambridge result at or above the required level.
- Points claims — the documentation supporting every point claimed in the invited EOI (age, English, qualifications, skilled employment, Australian study, partner skills, professional year, NAATI CCL, regional study).
- Identity and character — passport, AFP and overseas police certificates, Form 80, Form 1221 (if requested).
- Health — panel-doctor examinations for the primary applicant and each migrating family member.
- Family members — the relationship evidence, identity documents, and health and character clearances for each person included in the application.
- Lodgement and post-lodgement — visa application charge, ImmiAccount submission, evidence of having maintained lawful status if you remain onshore while the visa is decided.
The categories grid below shows the live count of requirements per category, sourced directly from the seed data we use to build every applicant tracker.
Common pitfalls
- Treating the 60-day window as flexible. It is not. Calendar the lodgement deadline on the day the invitation lands.
- Letting the skills assessment expire mid-process. Assessments are generally valid for three years from issue; if yours is close to expiring, plan for a refresh before lodgement.
- Stale English test results. Most English tests are valid for three years — confirm yours is still current at the time of lodgement.
- Inconsistent employment history across the EOI, skills assessment, and visa application. All three need to tell the same story; the Department compares them closely.
For your specific situation, refer to the Department of Home Affairs and a registered migration agent. The information above is organisational, not legal advice.
Headline numbers for Subclass 189.
- Application fee
- $4,910
- Processing time
- 10 months
- Visa type
- Permanent
- Categories
- 9
- Requirements tracked
- 45
- Authority
- DHA
Fees and processing times are the headline figures published by Department of Home Affairs. Individual applications routinely take longer; these figures are not a guarantee. Always confirm the live figure on the authority’s site.
What you lodge — organised the way the application reads.
ReRooted groups the Subclass 189 requirements into 9 collection categories. Each card below shows the category, what it covers, and how many requirements sit inside it.
- 01
Pre-Application Eligibility
Pre-flight checks to confirm you meet the basic eligibility criteria before gathering evidence
5 requirements
- 02
Skills Assessment
Evidence that your skills and qualifications have been assessed by the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation
5 requirements
- 03
English Language Proficiency
Evidence that you meet the English language requirement for the Subclass 189 visa
3 requirements
- 04
Points Test Evidence
Documentation supporting each factor claimed in your points test submission, including age, qualifications, work experience, and Australian study
10 requirements
- 05
Identity & Character
Proof of identity and character clearances for the primary applicant and any secondary applicants included in the application
6 requirements
- 06
Health Requirements
Medical examinations and health clearances required for all applicants included in the application
4 requirements
- 07
Employment History
Comprehensive employment documentation substantiating your skilled work experience for both points test claims and overall application integrity
6 requirements
- 08
Lodgement & Payment
Application lodgement preparation and fee payment tracking
3 requirements
- 09
Post-Grant
Important steps and obligations after your visa is granted
3 requirements
ReRooted supports 8 DHA visa pathways.
Subclass 820 — Partner (Temporary)
Temporary visa for partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. First stage of the partner visa pathway.
Subclass 801 — Partner (Permanent)
Permanent visa granted approximately 2 years after the 820 application. Allows permanent residency in Australia.
Subclass 309 — Partner (Provisional)
Provisional visa for partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens who apply from outside Australia. First stage of the offshore partner visa pathway.
Subclass 100 — Partner (Migrant)
Permanent visa granted approximately 2 years after the 309 application. Allows permanent residency in Australia.
Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated
Permanent visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory government. Requires a nomination invitation from a state or territory and a points score of at least 65 on the points test.
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)
Provisional visa for skilled workers who are nominated by a state or territory government, or sponsored by an eligible family member living in a designated regional area. Allows you to live, work, and study in a specified regional area of Australia for up to 5 years, with a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa.
Subclass 500 — Student
Visa for international students to study full-time at an Australian educational institution. Allows part-time work during studies.
Organise this checklist in one place.
Every requirement above is wired into a tracker built for Subclass 189. Free to start.