Unlock Australian Permanent Residency: Your Guide to Skilled Independent and Skilled Nominated Visas
Are you a skilled professional dreaming of a permanent move to Australia but do not have an employer or family sponsor? The Skilled Independent (subclass 189) and Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visas may be an option.
We explore the key features, eligibility criteria, and benefits of these two visa subclasses below.
Key Features of Subclass 189 and 190 Visas
You can live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely.
You can enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public health care system.
You can sponsor eligible family members for permanent residency.
You can travel to and from Australia for five years from the visa grant date.
Skills Requirement
Your occupation must be on the Department of Home Affairs’ (the Department) list of eligible skilled occupations. Currently – the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) found here.
Each state government also publishes its own list of occupations in high demand and your occupation must be on this list too if you are applying for a Subclass 190 visa.
Points Test
You must score at least 65 points on the points test. Whilst a high score may increase your chances of being invited to apply for a visa, the likelihood of an invitation also depends on whether a nominated occupation is prioritised at that time.
Points are awarded based on factors such as age, English language proficiency, skilled employment experience, educational qualifications and other factors like partner skills and regional study.
You may gain more points if:
you have superior English;
you have relevant Australian work experience;
you completed a professional year in Australia (for IT and engineering graduates);
you have been awarded a qualification in a particular language by NAATI;
you studied in regional Australia; and
your partner also has a positive skills assessment and competent English.
If you are applying for a Subclass 190 visa, you must be nominated by an Australian state or territory to be invited to apply for this visa. You may be eligible for five points provided your nomination is in effect.
Age
You must be younger than 45 years of age at the time of invitation to apply. You will gain the maximum of 30 points if you are 25 to 32 years old inclusive. You will gain 25 points if you are: (i) 18 to 24 inclusive; and (ii) 33 to 39 inclusive.
English Language
You must have at least competent English, which generally means holding a relevant passport or obtaining an IELTS score of at least 6 in each component or equivalent scores in other accepted English tests.
Superior English – a score of at least 8 in each component of an IELTS test or an equivalent score in a similarly approved test – will give you extra 10 points.
Skills Assessment
You must have, at the time of invitation, a positive skills assessment for an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list. Skills assessments are generally valid for three years unless stated otherwise.
Work Experience
Skills assessment authority may require a certain amount of work experience in your nominated occupation.
Overseas employment in the relevant occupation of at least 8 years in the last 10 years will get you the most points (i.e., 15). The equivalent Australian experience will get you additional 5 points.
Overseas experience of less than 3 years or Australian experience of less than a year will not result in any claimable points.
Health and Character Requirements
You must meet the health and character requirements set by the Australian government.
Cost
Application Process
SUBCLASS 189
SUBCLASS 190
Visa Processing Times
An EOI is valid for a period of two years from date of lodgement and there are no processing times for an applicant to receive an invitation. In some instances, applicants have not received a nomination from a State or Territory (for a Subclass 190 visa) and an invitation from the Department to apply for a visa prior to the expiry of an EOI. In this case, applicants would be required to submit a new EOI.
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SUBCLASS 190 |
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Key Differences between Subclass 189 and 190 Visas
Nomination: Subclass 190 visa requires nomination by a state or territory government. State nominations are usually highly competitive.
Occupation list: Subclass 189 requires your occupation to be on the Department of Home Affairs’ list of eligible occupations, whereas subclass 190 requires it to also be on the nominating state or territory's list.
Flexibility: The subclass 189 visa offers more flexibility in choosing where to live and work in Australia.
Allocation of visas: At time of writing the 2025-16 Migration Program has not been finalised. In the 2024–25 Migration Program, the Australian Government allocated 16,900 places for Skilled Independent visas, which is a decrease compared to the 2023–24 program allocation of 30,375 places. At the same time, the Government has increased the planning level for the State/Territory Nominated category from 30,400 to 33,000 visas thereby trying to fill skill shortages in regional Australia.
Both the subclass 189 and 190 visas offer a pathway to permanent residency in Australia for skilled workers. Understanding the key features and eligibility criteria of each visa can help you make an informed decision on the best pathway to achieve your Australian dream.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Don’t navigate the process alone. For expert guidance on unlocking your permanent residency for Australia, contact Ruppert Legal today. Our team is ready to help you put forward the strongest possible case.
Article written by Ruppert Legal Principal, Ndi Ruppert.
Please note that this publication is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances.
If you have found the publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact us at info@ruppertlegal.com.au or make an appointment at a time convenient to you via the Ruppert Legal Booking Page.
