Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
Home Affairs lists the points-tested stream of the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) from AUD 6,135.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances).≈ $3,988
Home Affairs processing tool (updated 29 September 2026), points-tested stream: 50% processed in 61 days and 90% in 8 months. Estimates for recently decided applications, not a guarantee.
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Source-backed requirements
Eligibility
(4)Skilled employment
ConditionalSkilled-employment points are conditional on an actual claim and eligible evidence before invitation. The points-tested stream has no universal 65-week employment minimum; occupation-specific assessment requirements still need checking.
Verified officialEnglish language
DocumentMandatoryAt invitation, the points-tested primary applicant must have at least competent English. Vocational English is not a substitute. Check the current accepted evidence or exemption and the applicable test-date table.
Verified officialSkills assessment
DocumentMandatoryFor the points-tested stream, obtain a suitable assessment from the relevant authority for the nominated eligible occupation. Check its validity and invitation/application timing, including the stated court-related policy and accepted professional-registration alternatives.
Verified officialAge (points factor)
MandatoryFor the points-tested stream, be under 45 when invited; turning 45 afterwards does not itself prevent applying. Verify the age points claimed at invitation.
Verified official
Qualification
(1)Points test
MandatoryFor the points-tested stream, at least 65 points are needed for invitation consideration; this does not guarantee an invitation. Meet the score stated in the invitation, which may be higher, and prove all claimed points.
Verified official
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Immigration Documents & Forms
Source citations
Migration Regulations1994 — points and regional conditions
Department of Home Affairs / Federal Register of Legislation
ReadSchedule6Demployment and nomination points, age factors, and Schedule8condition8579. 491regional duty uses regions designated at grant. 15pointsdependon effective nomination or accepted sponsorship. LaterOct2studentreform does not alter these clauses.
Migration Regulations1994 — skilled visa grant criteria
Department of Home Affairs / Federal Register of Legislation
Readfullstatutoryclauses189.222–224,190.212–216,491.211–217and491.612; suitable assessments and competent English are invitation criteria, actual scores must meet invitation and qualifying scores, nominations must remain effective, health applies to required family.191compliance and tax evidence are separate. LaterOct2studentreform does not alter these clauses. Initial graduate study windows, English evidence, AFP timing exception, insurance and regional branches; holiday passport, resources, children and public-interest criteria. Read with October student amendments, which leave these clauses unchanged. Full official C288 volume 2 retrieved. The later F2026L01347 instrument effective 2 October 2026 amends student application/visa provisions only; no changes to 482 or 186 reviewed clauses. Bounded statutory review, not case acceptance.
Skilled Independent189 — indexed points-tested eligibility
Department of Home Affairs
Points-tested primary eligibility: under45at_invitation,CompetentEnglishat_invitation,atleast65pointstobeconsideredbutinvitationmayrequirehigher,andactualsuitableassessmentwithstatedcourt-relatedtimingpolicy. Not65weeks employment minimum or VocationalEnglish substitute.
Migration Regulations1994 — Schedule 1 skilled visa eligibility
Department of Home Affairs / Federal Register of Legislation
ReadfullPDFSchedule1items1137,1138and1241: primary age is assessed at invitation; eligible occupations and actual nomination or family sponsorship declarations are branch-specific. LaterOct2studentreform does not alter these scoped clauses. Full official C288 volume 1 PDF retrieved, with regulations 2.72,5.19 and 1.15C. Later student reform checked separately; no changes to reviewed employer clauses. Current dollar thresholds not verified by this review.
HomeAffairs — SkillSelect Expression of Interest
Department of Home Affairs
FullSkillSelectEOIguidance read: 189,190and491 require at least65 for invitation consideration; reaching the threshold guarantees no invitation; visa-specific occupation lists and actual supporting claims must be checked.
Official links
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