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The Subclass 189 visa is Australia’s points-tested permanent residency visa for skilled workers who do not need an employer, state, or territory to sponsor them. It grants permanent residence from the date of grant, no provisional period, no state commitment, no regional obligation. You can live and work anywhere in Australia from day one.
In 2026, the Subclass 189 visa remains the most prestigious pathway in Australia’s General Skilled Migration program, but it is also the most competitive. The minimum points score to enter SkillSelect is 65, but real invitation data from the June 2026 round confirms that most competitive occupations now require 85 to 95 points to receive an invitation. Understanding the gap between meeting eligibility and actually getting invited is the most important thing any applicant can know before lodging an Expression of Interest.
The Subclass 189 visa, formally known as the Skilled Independent visa, is a permanent residency visa under Australia’s General Skilled Migration (GSM) program. It is points-tested and invitation-based. Applicants submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, are ranked by points score, and receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) when their score is competitive enough within their nominated occupation.
Detail | Information |
Visa Name | Skilled Independent Visa – Subclass 189 |
Visa Type | Permanent Residence, granted on day of visa grant |
Minimum Points | 65 points (invitation threshold typically 85–95+ in 2026) |
Age Requirement | Under 45 at time of invitation |
Occupation Requirement | Must be on the MLTSSL at time of invitation |
Visa Application Fee | AUD $4,640 (primary applicant, 2026) |
Processing Time (50% of cases) | Approximately 5 months from lodgement |
Processing Time (90% of cases) | Approximately 12 months from lodgement |
EOI Validity | 2 years from date of submission |
Sponsor Required | No, fully independent |
Source: Department of Home Affairs May 2026 processing data. The EOI itself is free to submit, costs only arise once you receive an invitation and choose to lodge a full visa application.
To be eligible for the Subclass 189 visa, you must satisfy all of the following criteria at the time you receive your invitation, not just at the time you submit your EOI. Eligibility is assessed at invitation date, and any change in circumstances between EOI submission and invitation can affect your application.
One Common Misunderstanding: Getting 65+ points makes you eligible for your EOI to enter the SkillSelect queue. It doesn’t ensure you’ll be invited – eligible EOIs are ranked by points, with invitation going to the top points earners for your chosen occupation.
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Points are calculated across several categories when you complete your EOI. The table below shows all categories and the maximum points available in each.
Category | Detail | Max Points |
Age | 25–32 years receives maximum points | 30 |
English Language | Superior English (IELTS 8.0+ each band) scores highest | 20 |
Skilled Employment – Overseas | 3–8+ years of skilled employment overseas | 15 |
Skilled Employment – Australian | 1–8+ years of skilled employment in Australia | 20 |
Educational Qualifications | Doctorate, Masters, or Bachelor degree | 20 |
Australian Study Requirement | 2+ years full-time study in Australia | 5 |
Specialist Education Qualification | Masters by Research or Doctorate from Australian institution | 10 |
Partner Skills | Partner holds skills assessment and Competent English | 10 |
State or Regional Nomination | Not applicable for Subclass 189 | 0 |
Professional Year | Completed Professional Year in Australia | 5 |
NAATI Accreditation | Community language accreditation | 5 |
The maximum points score is 130. However, reaching 85 to 95 points is the realistic competitive target for most engineers and ICT professionals in 2026. Superior English (20 points) and Australian skilled employment (up to 20 points) are the two most achievable high-value boosters for overseas professionals already working or studying in Australia.
The Subclass 189 visa application follows a structured sequence. Skipping or rushing any step creates delays that are difficult to resolve once your invitation clock starts running.
Applications lodged at that decision-ready point of completion, where the skills assessment is complete, the medical examination is finalised, and all supporting documents are attached are invariably turned around much more quickly.
The application fee for the Subclass 189 visa is determined by the Department of Home Affairs and is subject to periodic change. The headline application fee for the main applicant in 2026 will be AUD $4,640. Extra fees apply for each other applicant included in the application.
Applicant Category | Visa Application Charge (2026) |
Primary applicant (main applicant) | AUD $4,640 |
Secondary applicant aged 18 or over | AUD $2,320 |
Secondary applicant under 18 | AUD $1,160 |
In addition to the visa application fee, costs may also consist of:skills assessment fee (between $300 and $1,498, depending on assessment body and pathway)english language test ($300-400)medical test expensespolice certificate charges. A family of four should budget AUD $12,000–$15,000 for the total Subclass 189 migration process including all associated costs.
The three main points-tested visa pathways serve different applicant profiles. Understanding which one suits your situation avoids investing 12 months in the wrong pathway.
Factor | Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
Visa Type | Permanent | Permanent | Provisional (5 yrs) |
Sponsor Required | No | State nomination | State or family |
Bonus Points | None | + 5 points | + 15 points |
Realistic Score Needed | 85–95+ points | 70–85 points | 65–80 points |
Live Anywhere in Australia | Yes | 2-year state commitment | Regional Australia only |
PR Pathway | Immediate | Immediate | Via Subclass 191 (3 yrs) |
Processing (50% cases) | 5 months | 5–7 months | Varies by state |
The Subclass 190 is processing faster than the 189 in 2026, with median grants in 5–7 months versus 6–10 months for the 189 according to verified comparative data published in June 2026. For applicants with 70–85 points, the 190 and 491 pathways are statistically faster routes to permanent residency. The 189 is the right choice only for applicants who can realistically reach 85+ points and want full geographic freedom from day one.
A positive skills assessment is the mandatory first step for any Subclass 189 visa application. Without it, you cannot submit an EOI. The assessing body depends on your occupation:
A skills assessment must be valid on the date you receive an ITA, not at the time you submitted your EOI. If your skills assessment expires before you receive an invitation, you will need to obtain a new one, update your EOI, reset the date that you submitted your EOI and potentially wait much longer for an invitation.
The Subclass 189 visa process starts with skills assessment and if you’re an engineer or ICT professional, it must be a CDR or ACS RPL report highlighting your experience relevant to the Australian competencies. A well-prepared assessment document is what determines whether your points score reflects your actual calibre as a professional.
CDR Australia Engineer provides complete documentation support for Engineers Australia CDR reports, ACS RPL assessments, and VETASSESS skills reports, the mandatory first step for any Subclass 189 visa application. Get your assessment right the first time and start building your points score from the strongest possible foundation.
The minimum to submit an EOI is 65 points. However, real invitation data from 2026 rounds confirms most competitive occupations require 85–95+ points for an invitation. Meeting 65 points qualifies you to enter SkillSelect, it does not guarantee you will be invited.
Using DoHA May 2026 data 50% are finalized in roughly 5 months from the time your full visa application is submitted after an ITA (not the time your EOI is submitted), and 90% in roughly 12 months.
The primary applicant fee is AUD $4,640. Secondary applicants aged 18 and over pay AUD $2,320, and those under 18 pay AUD $1,160. Total migration costs including skills assessment, English test, health checks, and police clearances typically run AUD $12,000–$15,000 for a family of four.
Yes, for most overseas engineers. Engineers Australia requires a CDR for applicants without a Washington Accord accredited qualification. The CDR includes three career episodes, a summary statement, and a CPD list. Engineers with accredited Australian qualifications or from Washington Accord countries qualify for Pathway A, no CDR required.
Yes, you are allowed to lodge EOI for more than one Subclass, like 189, 190 and 491 visa in SkillSelect. Some immigrants choose to lodge EOI for all 3 sub class to increase the opportunities to get invite for any of the visa subclass.
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