Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is a permanent visa that allows invited highly skilled workers to live in Australia.
Exclusive streams also allow eligible New Zealand and Hong Kong (British National) passport holders access to the Subclass 189 (if considered to be committed and have made a contribution to Australia).
Applicants may also apply for the Subclass 189 onshore or offshore (excluding New Zealand stream applicants who must be in Australia to apply).
Key Benefits & Requirements for Subclass 189 Visa Holders
Subclass 189 Visa holders can live and work in Australia, and may sponsor family members to join them.
They can also take advantage of Medicare, Australia’s public health care system, and apply for Australian citizenship once eligible.
Visa holders can travel to and from Australia as many times as they like for 5 years.
They will need to apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to continue travelling afterwards.
Subclass 189 Visa Requirements
Subclass 189 applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Meet the health requirements;
- Meet the character requirements;
- Sign the Australian values statement;
- Have no debt to the Australian government; and
- Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused.
In addition, applicants must have complied with the conditions of their provisional visa (if applicable).
Subclass 189 Streams
Applicants may apply for the Subclass 189 Visa through one of the following streams:
- Points tested stream;
- New Zealand stream; and
- Hong Kong stream.
1. Points Tested Stream
The Points Tested stream allows invited highly skilled workers to live and work in Australia permanently.
The visa applicant must be skilled in an occupation listed on the Skilled Occupation List.
Visa applicants must also be nominated by the Department of Home Affairs (Department).
Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria, including the points test, when submitting an expression of interest (EOI) to receive a nomination.
This is an extremely competitive stream due to the high points test required.
Generally, applicants must be under 45 years of age to apply for the Subclass 189 visa, and applicants who turn 45 after receiving an invitation to apply may still apply.
However, applicants who turn 45 after submitting an EOI (and have not yet received an invitation to apply) will not be eligible.
Applicants must also score 65 points or more on the points test and have obtained a suitable skill assessment in the last 3 years.
2. New Zealand Stream
The New Zealand stream allows eligible New Zealand citizens to live and work in Australia permanently.
New Zealand stream applicants must hold a New Zealand Special Category (Subclass 444) visa and have been usually resident in Australia for at least 5 years.
Applicants must also have a taxable income above the minimum income threshold ($53,900 as of FY 2021/22) for 3 of the last 5 financial years (including the last completed financial year).
There is no age limit for the New Zealand stream.
The New Zealand stream permanently closed to new applications on 1 July 2023.
3. Hong Kong Stream
The Hong Kong stream allows eligible Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders to live and work in Australia permanently.
Hong Kong stream applicants must hold one of the following visas:
- Temporary Work (Skilled) Visa (Subclass 457);
- Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482); or
- Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485).
They must also hold a Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport and have been usually resident in Australia for at least 4 years.
Generally, applicants must have at least functional English language skills (concessions may apply if the applicant has paid the second instalment of the visa application charge).
There is no age limit for the Hong Kong stream.
Contact Us
For more information about the Subclass 189, contact Bambrick Legal today. We can confirm your eligibility and help you apply for your visa.
- Fill in our enquiry form here
- Call us on 08 8362 5269
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Read more about our Visa and Migration services here.
Related Blog – Changes to South Australia’s General Skilled Migration (GSM) Program for 2023/24