What is Australia's Subclass 189 and who is it for
Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) is Australia’s permanent residence (PR) visa under a skilled points-based mechanism, requiring no state or employer sponsorship. According to the Department of Home Affairs, candidates submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect and are invited to apply based on their score.
This is the most independent category within Australia’s skilled stream: you may live and work anywhere in Australia. The core requirements are having an occupation on the MLTSSL list, passing a skills assessment and reaching the minimum score.
Want to know how many points you would score? Try our GSM points calculator or get a free profile assessment.
- Permanent PR — no state or employer sponsorship required
- Live and work anywhere in Australia
- The whole family is granted PR together
The main scoring factors
The Points Test score accumulates from multiple factors. A minimum of 65 points is needed to be invited, but in practice the competitive threshold is often higher depending on the occupation.
Age
Age
Points peak in the 25–32 age group and decrease with older age.
English
English
A minimum of Competent level; bonus points increase with Proficient and Superior.
Experience
Work experience
Counts both Australian and overseas experience in the assessed occupation.
Education
Education
The higher the qualification, the more points; there are separate points for studying in Australia.
The Subclass 189 application process
The GSM process is based on a skills assessment and the SkillSelect invitation system.
Step 1 — Skills assessment & English
Identify your occupation on the MLTSSL, submit a skills assessment application to the responsible authority and take an English test to reach the required level.
Step 2 — Submit an EOI through SkillSelect
Complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) with your self-calculated score. Applications are ranked by score.
Step 3 — Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
When your score reaches the invitation-round threshold, you receive an invitation to apply for the visa.
Step 4 — Submit the application & receive PR
Submit the visa application together with documents, a medical examination and police certificates; once granted, the whole family receives PR.
Documents and costs to prepare
Subclass 189 costs include: skills assessment fees (varying by industry authority), English test fees, the visa application fee to the Department of Home Affairs, medical examination, police certificates and service fees. Look up the official visa fees at the Department of Home Affairs; see M2W’s cost structure on our pricing page.
- Passports and personal identity documents for the whole family
- A valid skills assessment result
- An English test result (IELTS/PTE…) meeting the required level
- Degrees, certificates and confirmation of work experience
- Medical examination and police certificates when invited
Comparing Subclass 189, 190 and 491
Australia’s three GSM skilled points-tested streams differ in sponsorship and bonus points. M2W consultants advise the optimal stream based on your profile and score.
| Subclass 189Viewing | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outcome | Permanent PR | Permanent PR | 5 years temporary residence → 191 PR |
| Sponsorship | Not required | Nominating state | State/relative |
| Bonus points | — | +5 points | +15 points |
| Residency obligation | Anywhere | State for the first 2 years | Regional area |
| Requirements | MLTSSL + skills assessment | State occupation list | Regional occupation list |
Frequently asked questions about Subclass 189
How many points does subclass 189 require?
A minimum of 65 points to be invited to apply. However, the actual competitive threshold for each occupation is usually higher and changes with each invitation round.
Do I need a sponsor?
No. Subclass 189 is an independent category that does not require state or employer sponsorship — this is what sets it apart from 190 and 491.
Is my occupation on the list?
Subclass 189 requires an occupation on the MLTSSL list and a passing skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority. M2W specialists check the occupation and the appropriate assessing body.
Does the whole family get PR?
Yes. Spouses (including legal de facto partners) and dependent children are included in the application and receive PR together.
How long does it take to get a visa?
Timing depends on the skills assessment, points score, and SkillSelect invitation rounds. M2W estimates a specific timeline after reviewing your profile.
How many Australian migration points do you have?
Subclass 189 is Australia’s most flexible PR pathway if you have enough points. Let M2W consultants score your profile and advise how to boost your points for an early invitation.
