189 Visa Australia

189 Visa Explained

The Australia 189 visa is a permanent residence visa for skilled workers who are looking to live and work in Australia indefinitely. It is for people who are not sponsored by an employer or family member, and it is a points-based visa, which means that applicants need to meet certain criteria in order to be eligible. To apply for this visa, applicants must first pass a skills assessment for their nominated occupation, and then score enough points on a points test to be invited to apply. These points are awarded for factors such as age, education, work experience, and English language proficiency.

The Australian Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) is a Permanent Residency Visa processed at Government level as opposed to on a State by State basis. The 189 Visa is not dependent on employer and is purely based on the overall benefits the holders will contribute to the Australian economy not for a short period, but hopefully for the rest of their lives. In order to assess this contribution the 189 has a number of conditions that must be satisfied.

In order to immigrate to Australia on a 189 Visa applicants must first submit their expression of interest (EOI) and be invited to apply via a system called Skill Select. It is imperative that the applicant is outside Australia when the visa is applied for, and then when the visa is granted.

The Skilled Independent 189 Visa application process is spread over three clear and stages

First Stage

The first stage of your 189 Visa Application will be completing a Skills Assessment set by the relevant Skills Assessment body for your Nominated Occupation code. Skills Assessment bodies are best described as the ‘Gatekeepers’ of 189 Skilled Migration.

Second Stage

Submit your formal Expression of Interest via the Skill Select system.

Final Stage

Depending on a number of factors and requirements you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and at this stage you are required to submit your finalized and completed application to the Department of Border Protection. Medicals and Background Checks will be required and your 189 Visa can be granted.

The following family members can be included in a 189 Visa Application

• your partner
• your or your partner’s dependent child
• your or your partner’s dependent relative

Check your eligibility to Emigrate to Australia today

189 Visa Australian Permanent Residency PR