General Skilled Migration
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
This is a permanent residence visa, focusing entirely on the applicant’s personal education, work experience/professional skills, English language, and does not require sponsorship. You can apply for this visa both in Australia and outside Australia. This visa allow you to live, work and study anywhere in Australia.
Eligibility:
- Under 45 years old;
- Have an occupation on the MTSSL and have a positive skill assessment;
- Satisfy the points test and receive invitation to apply for this visa after submitting EOI;
- You must have at least competent English (eg. IELTS: at least 6 for each of the 4 components, etc.);
- Meet the physical and character requirements.
Specific requirements:
- This is a points-tested visa(see the bottom of the points table). If you’re able to satisfy the minimum of 65 points or more, you can submit the EOI (Expression of Interest) to DHA. After receiving the invitation to apply, your can submit your visa application.
- The occupation for the 189 visa must be on the MTSSL, which currently contains nearly 200 occupations. Accounting, IT, engineering, nursing, and primary and secondary school teachers have always been popular occupations for Chinese students to apply for.
- Skill assessment is required for the visa. There are currently 28 different skills assessing authorities in Australia to assess various occupations. Those authorities are independent of the DHA, and their assessment requirements for some occupations may not be exactly the same as that of DHA.
- Your EOI can be submitted only if your IELTS scores at least 6 for each of the 4 components, and both Type A and Type G are acceptable. If you get 7 for each of the 4 components, you can have 10 bonus points. But even if your IELTS is less than 7 for each 4 components, your can have bonus points through studying Professional Year + NAATI or applying for a state nomination. For details, you can further consult us.
Who can apply for 189 visa
Those who have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list, have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation, at the same time satisfy the points test with at least 65 points and be invited to apply for this visa after submitting EOI, can apply for this visa. Those who do not have an Australian degree but have equivalent work experience at home country, scoring 65 points, also can apply for 189 visa.
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)-Points Table
Item | Scoring Details | Points |
Age | 18-24 25-32 33-39 40-44 | 25 30 25 15 |
English language skills | Competent English Proficient English Superior English | 0 10 20 |
Australian work experience relevant to the nominated occupation | 1-2 years(in the past 10 years) 3-4 years(in the past 10 years) 5-7 years(in the past 10 years) 8-10 years(in the past 10 years) | 5 10 15 20 |
Overseas work experience relevant to the nominated occupation | 3-4 years(in the past 10 years) 5-7 years(in the past 10 years) 8-10 years(in the past 10 years) | 5 10 15 |
Education (including overseas and Australian) | • Assessment Authority recognized certificate | 10 |
Bachelor degree (including a Bachelor degree with Honors or Masters) | 15 | |
PHD | 20 | |
Completed Master/PHD degree of STEM*(science, technology, engineering or mathematics) by research in Australia | 5 | |
Study in Australia | 2 + academic years of full-time study and at least one degree in Australia | 5 |
Study in a regional Australia | 2 + academic years of full-time study and at least one degree in regional Australia | 5 |
Community language | Certified Translator, Certified Provisional Interpreter | 5 |
Partner | Have competent English Have an occupation on the *MLTSSL/STSOL, and have a positive skills assessment You are single or your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident | 5 10
10 |
Professional Year | Complete a Professional Year in your nominated occupation or a closely related occupation in Australia | 5 |
State or Territory Sponsorship | Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) sponsored by an Australian state or territory | 5 |
Relatives/Regional Area Sponsorship | Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491) sponsored by an Australia state or territory or relatives | 15 |