The Skilled Independent Visa is a points-tested stream that invites skilled professionals to live and work in Australia permanently. This visa is for workers who are not sponsored by any territory or employer or a family member living in the country.
The visa makes you eligible to:
- Live & work anywhere in Australia
- Become an Australian citizen
- Enrol in the public healthcare scheme
- Sponsor skilled family members for PR
Benefits of Australia’s Skilled Independent Visa Program
Australia is a developed and beautiful country with a welcoming environment for everyone coming to the country.
Here are the benefits you can reap while holding the Subclass 189 visa:
- You can work and study in Australia,
- You and your dependents can enrol in Medicare,
- You can enter and exit Australia multiple times,
- You can sponsor a family member to get PR,
- You can apply for citizenship, if applicable, and
You can reside in Australia permanently.
Processing Time for Subclass 189 Visa
The processing time depends on your score, occupation and number of applicants applying under your occupation code.
However, you will have sixty days to apply for the visa after receiving the ITA. After applying, the Department of immigration will start processing the application. The average duration for processing the visa is eight months for 75% of applications.
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Points Requirement for Skilled Independent Visa
The application for this visa is by invite only.
To receive the invitation, you must:
- File the Expression of Interest(EOI) document
- Have experience in an occupation listed in Australia’s Skilled Occupations List
- Be less than 45 years of age
- Have sufficient English language skills
- Satisfy the character and medical conditions and
- Meet the minimum cut-off score of 65 under the points stream.
As per the information filled in the EOI, your profile will be awarded points on the criteria as follows:
1. Age
This visa program is only for applicants under 45 years and over 18 years when receiving the Invitation to Apply.
| Age | Points |
| 18-25 years | 25 |
| 25-33 years | 30 |
| 33-40 years | 25 |
| 40-45 years | 15 |
2. English Skills
You must have sufficient English language skills measured by your score in the OET, PTE, TOEFL or IELTS test.
| English | Points |
| Competent | 0 |
| Proficient | 10 |
| Superior | 20 |
3. Education
The points under education are awarded based on your highest qualification in comparison to the relevant Australian qualification.
| Qualification | Points |
| Doctorate | 20 |
| Bachelor/Master’s Degree | 15 |
| Diploma | 10 |
| Award or Qualification for Skilled Occupation | 10 |
4. Experience
Your experience can also fetch you points if it is relevant to the occupations list.
Skilled Employment Overseas
| Experience | Points |
| Less Than 3 Years | 0 |
| 3-4 Years | 5 |
| 5-7 Years | 10 |
| At Least 8 Years | 15 |
OR
Skilled Employment in Australia
| Experience | Points |
| Less Than 1 Year | 0 |
| 1-2 Years | 5 |
| 3-4 Years | 10 |
| 5-7 Years | 15 |
| At Least 8 Years | 20 |
5. Partner Skills
The Australian government can consider your spouse’s/partner’s skills for rewarding you an additional 5 points if your partner:
- Is under 45 years of age,
- Has competent English language skills,
- Is assessed and found to have skills related to their nominated occupation under SOL,
- Is accompanying you to the country and
- Is not a permanent residence holder or citizen of Australia.
Application Process for Subclass 189 Visa
There are 4 steps in the application for the visa. Let us explore them in detail:
- Step 1: To validate the occupation you wish to work in, it must be officially assessed by an authorised body as per the occupation. The assessing authority can take over three months to decide on the outcome.
- Step 2: After receiving a positive outcome from the assessment authority, you must submit the Expression of Interest to the Department of Home Affairs to apply for the visa.
- Step 3: When you receive the Invitation to Apply (ITA), you must pay the visa fee, submit your documents and go through police & medical checks.
- Step 4: After receiving the letter, you must have your first entry into Australia by the date given to activate your visa.
Documents Required for Subclass 189 Visa
Documents play a vital role in receiving the Subclass 189 visa.
Here is a checklist of documents required to apply for the visa:
- Subclass 189 visa application form
- Two coloured passport-sized photographs
- Proof of identification
- English skills test scores
- Educational qualification documents
- Skill assessment report
- Document to prove the skills
- Reference letter from employer(s)
- Character certificate from the police
- Medical check certificate
- Australian study requirement proof & documents to show proof of study (if applicable)
- Partner’s English proficiency proof
- Proof of relationship status
- Any other documents as requested during the process
Cost of Subclass 189 Visa
The Skilled Independent visa cost can differ based on the number and age of dependents included in the application.
| Immigrant | Fees (in AUD) |
| Main Applicant | $4115 |
| Partner | $2055 |
| Additional Dependent (Under 18) | $1030 |
Note: There can be additional factors to the cost like Spouse’s English skills, health examination and more. Moreover, the fee can change without any intimation.