Skilled independent visa - Points-Tested Stream (Subclass 189)
The preferred pathway to residence
This is the most sought-after visa to gain residence in Australia for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an Australian employer, or an eligible family member living in Australia or nominated by one of the Australian state or territory governments.
Sourcing global talents to work in Australia
Sc 189 visa (Points-Tested) stream is a residence class visa designed for skilled migrants who do not have an Australian sponsor, such as an employer or a family member in Australia, to allow them to live and work anywhere in Australia indefinitely.
In order to qualify for this visa, the applicants must score at least 65 point on a Points Test and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect portal. Once the EOI is selected by the Department of Home Affairs of Australia, the applicant will receive an Invitation to Apply for this visa and will be required to submit the visa application within sixty days.
Once Sc 189 visa is approved, the principal visa holder and migrating family members will need to enter Australia to validate their visas and will have a 5-year window to relocate to Australia. Once in Australia, the Sc 189 visa holders can live, work and study as permanent residents.
Once the initial 5 year travel conditions expire, Sc 189 visa holders can either apply for Australian Citizenship, provided they meet the relevant criteria, or for a Resident Return Visa.
Do I need a Registered Migration Agent to help?
Because attaining the set level of points is dependent on so many factors, it is essential to have your eligibility assessed by a registered migration agent to ensure you will meet Australia immigration requirements and avoid costly disappointment.
What is the process?
In order to be eligible for this visa, the applicants must:
- nominate an occupation included in the Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List
- secure a positive skill assessment in the nominated occupation
- achieve minimum competent level of English through a recognised English test
- score at least 65 points in the Expression of Interest
- have the Expression of Interest selected by the Department of Home Affairs of Australia
Invitations are issued quarterly.
What do I need to be eligible for a Sc 189 visa?
Principal applicant
- Age Limit – you must be under the age of 45 when you receive an invitation to apply and submit your visa application.
- Health and Character – you and your family members included in the visa application must meet the health & character requirements
- Eligible occupation – your nominated occupation must be included in the Medium- and Long-Term Strategic Skills List
- Skills assessment – you must secure a positive skills assessment from the relevant authority in Australia as evidence that you possess the necessary qualifications and skills to be able to work in your occupation
- English level – the principal applicant must provide evidence of at least Competent English, however, only Proficient and Superior English levels will be awarded points
- Points Test and Expression of Interest – you must score at least 65 points in your Expression of Interest (EOI) and your EOI must be selected by the Department of Home Affairs of Australia.
While 65 points is a minimum threshold for the EOI to be entered into the pool, the Department of Home Affairs of Australia often selects EOIs with the points total higher than 65. Certain occupations are subject to a higher points threshold.
You must meet the points score eligibility at the EOI submission as well as at the time of receiving an Invitation to Apply for the visa.
English proficiency
Family members over the age of 18 who are included in Sc 189 visa application are required to provide evidence of at least Functional English.
Health and Character
All family members who are included in Sc 189 visa application must meet health and character requirements. All applicants over 16 must provide police clearances from every country they lived in, Australia inclusive, for at least 12 months in the past 10 years.
Can I include my family in a Sc189 application?
Principal applicants for Sc 189 visa may include the following family members in their application- Spouse or De Facto Partner (can be same or opposite sex)
- Your and/or your partner’s dependent children
Spouse/De Facto Partner
For both spouse and de facto applicants, you must prove that you are in a genuine and ongoing relationship.
For De Facto applicants, you must additionally provide evidence that:
- you are not related by family
- you and your partner are mutually committed to a shared life to the exclusion of all others
- you live together, or do not live separately on a permanent basis.
Dependent Children
Children can be included in your Sc 189 visa application, provided they fall under of the below categories:
Category 1
They are under 18 years of age
They are your or your partner’s child from a current or a previous relationship
They are not married, engaged or in a de facto relationship;Category 2
They are over 18 years of age but not yet turned 23
They are dependent on you or your partner
They are your or your partner’s child from a current or a previous relationship
They are not married, engaged or in a de facto relationship;Category 3
They are over 23 years of age and unable to earn a living to support themselves due to *physical or cognitive limitations
They are dependent on you or your partner
They are your or your partner’s child from a current or a previous relationship
They are not married, engaged or in a de facto relationship
*Such child/ren will still need to meet Australia’s health requirements for the visa to be granted.Note: The child must meet the dependency criteria at the time of application submission as well as at the time of decision-making.
How long does it take to get a Sc 189 visa for Australia?
Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, and actual processing times can vary due to individual circumstances.
Current processing time under Points-Tested stream is 17-28 months.
What are the fees?
Sc 189 visa application fees are currently AUD$4,115 for the main applicant, AUD$2,060 for any secondary applicant aged 18 and above and AUD$1,030 for any secondary applicant under the age of 18.
Australian Shores’ consultancy fees are quoted through our online assessment.
Our Skilled Visa Service includes
- Your personal adviser will manage everything required for the entire process, taking all the stress off your shoulders.
- We will review your supporting documents and make sure they meet visa requirements
- We will apply for a skills assessment on your behalf.
- We will prepare and submit your Expression of Interest.
- We will apply for a visa on your behalf once your EOI is selected.
- We will monitor the progress of your visa application regularly and will provide timely updates
- We will liaise with the Department of Home Affairs and will act as your representative until the decision is made
Not sure what visa is right for you?
Take our online eligibility assessment or get in touch with our team!
