Australia Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

This visa is for invited workers and New Zealand citizens with skills we need, to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia.

Points tested stream

This visa lets invited workers with skills we need live and work permanently anywhere in Australia.

  • ​​​You don’t need a sponsor or nominator
  • You must be invited to apply
  • You must be under 45 to be invited

With this visa applicant can

  • stay in Australia permanently
  • work and study in Australia
  • enroll in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare
  • sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
  • travel to and from Australia for 5 years
  • if eligible, become an Australian citizen

Eligibility Criteria

Applicant must

  • be invited to apply
  • have a relevant skills assessment
  • have age under 45 years
  • be able to score 65 points or more
  • have occupation on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) Point-Tested stream
  • meet health requirement
  • meet character requirement
  • have paid back the debt to the Australian Government
  • sign the Australian values statement
  • not had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused

New Zealand stream

This visa lets eligible New Zealand citizens who have demonstrated commitment and contribution to Australia, live and work in Australia permanently.

  • ​​​​​​​​​​​You must hold a New Zealand Special Category (subclass 444) visa
  • You must have lived in Australia for at least the last 5 years
  • You must have started living here on or before 19 February 2016

With this visa applicant can

  • stay in Australia indefinitely
  • work and study in Australia
  • enroll in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare
  • sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
  • travel to and from Australia for 5 years
  • if eligible, become an Australian citizen

Eligibility Criteria

Applicant must

  • hold a New Zealand Special Category (subclass 444) visa
  • have usually resided in Australia for at least the last 5 years
  • have started living here on or before 19 February 2016
  • in most cases, have a taxable income at or above a specific income threshold for each of the required income years prior to lodging an application
  • Meet the health requirement
  • Meet the character requirement
  • Sign the Australian values statement
  • have paid back the debt to the Australian Government
  • not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused