Latest Sc 189 invitation round: There was a Sc 189 invitation round held on 13 November 2025.
Related: New 4-Tier Invitation System for 189 Visa
Visa Overview
The 189 visa allows highly skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, State or Territory of Australia, or family member to live and work permanently in Australia. If you wish to apply for this visa under the points tested stream, you must first obtain a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation, and then lodge an Expression of Interest. If this is successful, you will be invited to lodge a visa application.
This stream is for Points-tested skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or family member or nominated by a state or territory government. It allows you to live and work in Australia as a permanent resident.
For the Skilled Independent (Points-tested) stream you need to submit an expression of interest.
If you are a New Zealand citizen you may be eligible to apply for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) (New Zealand) stream.
Eligibility Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Have a relevant occupation on the 189 occupation list (MLTSSL) |
| Skills Assessment | Have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation |
| EOI | Lodge an EOI and be invited to apply |
| Points Test | Meet the points test pass mark of 65 points |
| Age | Be aged between 18 and 44 inclusive |
| English | Have Competent English |
| Invitation | Be invited to apply |
| Health & Character | Meet health and character requirements |
189 Visa Points Test
Use the points table to calculate your test score.
Points Information – Check if you can claim points for:
- English language ability
- Skilled employment
- Qualifications
- Australian study requirement
- Specialist education requirement
- Partner points
- Other factors
The Process
Step 1: Initial Eligibility Assessment
The first step that we will take is to conduct an initial assessment of your eligibility for this visa. This involves reviewing your qualifications, work experience, English language and other circumstances, to establish whether or not you are likely to meet the relevant requirements.
As part of this initial eligibility assessment, we will consider which MLTSSL occupation(s) you are likely to be able to nominate, and whether or not you are potentially eligible for a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for that occupation.
We will then provide you with informed and comprehensive advice about your ability to meet the minimum standards that DHA requires migrants to fulfil in order to qualify for an invitation to apply for this visa.
Step 2: Skills Assessment
Should our initial assessment indicate that you are eligible for a positive skills assessment and EOI, we will prepare your skills assessment application.
For each skilled occupation listed on the MLTSSL, DHA has specified an assessing authority that may carry out skills assessments for that occupation. Only a skills assessment conducted by the relevant assessing authority will be accepted by DHA in support of an EOI.
We will provide you with a full list of the information and documents required to support your application. When you have provided the necessary details and documents, along with the required assessment fee, we will lodge your application with the applicable skills assessing authority.
Step 3: Expression of Interest (EOI)
Once you have received a positive skills assessment from the skills assessing authority, we will prepare and lodge your EOI. Although you do not need to provide supporting documents at this stage, you MUST be able to provide evidence that the information supplied in the EOI is correct at the time that you are invited to apply for the visa.
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect with details of your nominated occupation, skills and qualifications. SkillSelect will estimate a points score and rank you against other intending migrants. More information about EOIs, including invitation rounds and occupation ceilings, is available.
If you are ranked high enough and there are places available for your nominated occupation, you will be invited to apply for the visa.
If you are invited, you have 60 calendar days to apply for the visa.
You will subsequently receive a result and points score from DHA, which is used to rank you against other applicants who have lodged EOIs for this visa. Ranking is based partially on whether or not your occupation is a skill that Australia requires at the time your EOI is assessed. If your EOI is successful, you will be invited to lodge a visa application.
Note: DHA retains an EOI for 2 years from the date that it is lodged. During this time, your EOI can be updated if any of your circumstances change (e.g. you obtain a new qualification or skills assessment). If your ranking changes during this 2-year period, based on either your changing circumstances or Australia’s changing skill needs, you may be issued with an invitation to apply for the visa at that point in time.
Step 4: Visa Application
Once DHA has invited you to apply for this visa, we will prepare and lodge your visa application within the specified time frame, together with all of the documents that support the information that you provided in your EOI. This includes your skills assessment, English language test results, qualifications, work references and all other required documents.
Should your visa application be approved, you will be granted a permanent visa. You may be either in Australia or overseas when your visa is granted.
Occupation Requirements
Your occupation must be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations (MLTSSL).
You must have a skills assessment that shows you have the skills and qualifications to work in that occupation.
Assessing Authorities
Use the assessing authority listed against your nominated occupation in the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations.
Points Score
You must be able to meet the points score on your invitation letter. This score will be 65 points or more.
The score on your invitation letter is based on the information in your EOI.
You must be able to meet the points score eligibility at the time you are invited to apply for the visa.
Everyone who wants to be invited to apply for the visa must submit an EOI. When you submit your EOI you will be ranked against other intending applicants and might be invited to apply for the visa (your EOI will stay in the pool for up to 2 years). There is no cost to submit an EOI.
Location Requirements
| Stage | Requirement |
|---|---|
| EOI Submission | In or outside Australia |
| Visa Application | In or outside Australia |
| Lodge from within Australia | Must hold substantive visa or Bridging A, B or C visa |
| Bridging Visa | Receive bridging visa allowing stay during processing if applied from within Australia |
| Restriction | If current visa is refused or cancelled, may not be eligible to apply while in Australia |
What You Can Do With a 189 Visa
This is a permanent visa. It lets you:
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Stay | Remain in Australia indefinitely |
| Work | Work in Australia |
| Study | Study in Australia |
| Medicare | Enrol in Australia’s scheme for health-related care and expenses |
| Sponsor Family | Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence |
| Travel | Travel to and from Australia for five years |
| Citizenship | Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible |
Visa Cost
| Cost Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base Application Charge | From AUD 4,910 |
| Additional Costs | You might have to pay additional costs for family members |
Visa Duration
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa Type | Permanent visa – lasts indefinitely |
| Start Date | Visa starts on the date it is granted |
| Travel Facility | Travel in and out of Australia as many times as you want for five years after the visa is granted |
Including Family
You can include your partner and your or your partner’s child or step-child in your application.
Family members who are granted the visa have the same rights and can do the same things as you.
Your Obligations
You and your family members must comply with Australian laws and your visa conditions.
You can find your visa conditions in VEVO.
Comparison: 189 Visa vs Global Talent Visa
| Feature | Subclass 189 | Global Talent |
|---|---|---|
| Expression of Interest | YES | YES |
| Points Tested | YES | NO |
| Skills Assessment | YES | NO |
| English Requirement | Competent | Functional (or payment of 2nd VAC) |
| Occupation List | MLTSSL | NO |
| Target Sectors | NO | YES |
| Age Limit | 45 | 55 (unless exceptional value to Australia) |
| Australian Nominator | NO | YES |
| Visa Application Charge (main applicant) | $4,910 | $4,110 |
| Planned Levels | 6,500 | 15,000 |
How VisaEnvoy Can Help
Here at VisaEnvoy we are experienced in managing general skilled visa applications, and can help you with:
- Obtaining your skills assessment
- Preparing your relative sponsorship application
- Lodging and monitoring your visa application
- Correspondence with skills assessing authorities and the Department of Immigration until grant
- Managing your bridging visas for yourself and family members
Summary
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa Type | Permanent |
| Points Test | Required (minimum 65 points) |
| Age Limit | 18-44 years |
| English | Competent |
| Occupation List | MLTSSL |
| Skills Assessment | Required |
| Sponsorship | None required |
| EOI Required | Yes |
| Cost | From AUD 4,910 |
| Processing Time | Varies by invitation round |
Please book an immigration consultation if you would like a personalised eligibility assessment of your Skilled Independent Subclass 189 visa application.
