Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa
Complete Australia Guide
Last Updated: 24 Aug 2026
The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers who meet Australia's points-tested migration requirements without the need for employer, state, or family sponsorship. Applicants must have an eligible occupation, a positive skills assessment, and receive an invitation through SkillSelect before they can lodge an application.
Unlike state or territory nominated skilled visas, the Subclass 189 gives permanent residents the freedom to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia from the date of grant.
This guide covers 189 visa eligibility, the points test, SkillSelect invitations, processing times, costs, required documents, the application steps, and how the 189 compares to the Subclass 190 and 491 pathways.
Quick Summary of 189 Visa
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Visa type: Permanent residence from date of grant
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Sponsorship required: None — no employer, state, or family sponsor needed
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Minimum points to submit EOI: 65 points
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Competitive points (2025–26): 65–70 pts (trades) to 90–110 pts (engineering/ICT)
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Application fee: From AUD $6,135 for the primary applicant
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Processing time: Approximately 6–9 months for recently finalised Points-Tested stream applications
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EOI validity: Up to 2 years
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Who can apply: Onshore and offshore applicants
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Live and work: Anywhere in Australia
What Is the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)?
The 189 visa grants permanent residence to eligible skilled workers who are invited to apply after submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect.
Key characteristics:
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Permanent residence from grant
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No requirement for employer, state, or family sponsorship
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Points-tested visa under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) programme
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Selection based on occupation and ranking within SkillSelect
Meeting the minimum points and eligibility criteria does not automatically result in an invitation. The 189 is a competitive programme — candidates are ranked and invitations are issued to the highest-scoring profiles within each eligible occupation.
What You Can Do With a 189 Visa
If granted, the skilled independent visa allows you to:
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Live and work anywhere in Australia permanently
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Study in Australia
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Enrol in Medicare, Australia's public health insurance scheme
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Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
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Travel to and from Australia for five years from the date of grant
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After this 5-year travel facility expires, you'll need a Resident Return (RRV) visa (subclass 155 or 157) to travel and re-enter Australia as a permanent resident
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Apply for Australian citizenship, subject to meeting residency requirements
Core Eligibility Criteria for the 189 Visa
To be eligible for the Subclass 189 visa, applicants must satisfy all of the following requirements at the time of invitation:
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Age
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Under 45 years old
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Visa Status (Onshore Applicants Only)
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If you're in Australia when you apply, you must hold a substantive visa, or a Bridging visa A (subclass 010), Bridging visa B (subclass 020), or Bridging visa C (subclass 030) — otherwise your application won't be processed.
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English Language
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You need at least Competent English to qualify.
Minimum scores per component: -
IELTS: 6 in each of listening, reading, writing, speaking
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PTE Academic: 47 listening, 48 reading, 51 writing, 54 speaking
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TOEFL iBT: 16 listening, 16 reading, 19 writing, 19 speaking
Tests must be in-person. Online versions (IELTS Online, TOEFL Home Edition, etc.) don't count. Check your test's validity window before you rely on it: results from tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 stay valid for Australian visa purposes only until 6 August 2028.
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Skills Assessment
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Hold a positive skills assessment for an occupation eligible for the 189 visa
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Assessment must be issued by the relevant assessing authority
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Occupation
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Your occupation must be on the skilled occupation list for the Skilled Independent stream.
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Points Test
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You need at least 65 points to lodge an EOI. Hitting 65 doesn't guarantee an invitation, it's the floor, not the target.
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Health and Character
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Meet Australian health and character requirements
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Values
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You (if aged 18 or over) must sign the Australian Values Statement, confirming you have read or had explained to you the Life in Australia booklet and will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws.
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Government Debt
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You and any family members — including those not applying with you — must have repaid, or arranged to repay, any money owed to the Australian Government.
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Immigration History
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Your application may be affected if you've had a visa cancelled or a previous visa application refused. Some exceptions apply — check Home Affairs' guidance on limitations on applications in Australia if this applies to you.
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Satisfying these criteria makes you eligible to submit an EOI — it does not guarantee an invitation to apply.
Eligible Occupations for the Subclass 189 Visa
Only certain skilled occupations are eligible for the 189 visa Australia pathway.
Important distinctions:
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An occupation may be eligible but not actively invited
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Invitations are influenced by occupation demand and programme priorities
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ANZSCO code alignment and correct skills assessment authority are critical
Being on the eligible occupation list does not indicate the likelihood or timing of an invitation. For a full breakdown of occupation ceilings, see the 189 visa occupation list.
Points Test Explained for the 189 Visa
The 189 visa points test is used to rank candidates in SkillSelect.
Points are awarded for:
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Age
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English language ability
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Skilled employment experience (Australian and overseas)
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Educational qualifications
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Specialist education qualifications
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Australian study
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Professional Year completion in Australia
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Credentialled community language
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Study in regional Australia
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Partner skills factors
The minimum score allows you to submit an EOI. Your score then determines your ranking within your occupation. Higher-ranked candidates receive invitations first.
For the complete breakdown of points available under each factor, see the 189 visa points table.
How Many Points Are Needed for a 189 Visa?
The minimum points score to submit an Expression of Interest is 65 points.
However, 65 points is the floor, not the target. The Subclass 189 is competitive — candidates are ranked within their occupation, and invitations go to the highest-scoring EOIs first. In practice, competitive scores in 2025–26 have ranged from 65–70 points for high-demand trade occupations to 90–110 points for some engineering and ICT roles. The score you need depends entirely on your occupation and how many other candidates are in the same pool.
Meeting the minimum points threshold allows you to submit an EOI. A higher points score improves your competitiveness. Invitation outcomes vary significantly between occupations depending on demand and programme priorities.
To understand how points are awarded, see our 189 visa points table.
To understand how invitation competitiveness changes between occupations, see our 189 invitation round analysis.
Not sure how competitive your points score is?
Book a consultation with RACC to review your occupation, points, and realistic pathways under Australia’s skilled migration programme.
How SkillSelect Works for the Subclass 189 Visa
The process follows these steps:
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Obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority
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Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect
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EOIs are ranked within each occupation based on points score
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Home Affairs conducts invitation rounds and issues invitations to eligible, high-ranking candidates
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Invited applicants have 60 days to lodge a visa application through ImmiAccount
EOIs remain active for up to two years. There is no fixed schedule for invitation rounds — timing and volume depend on programme planning and occupation priorities.
What Happens After You Submit an EOI?
Submitting an Expression of Interest does not create a visa application.
After an EOI is lodged:
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The profile enters the SkillSelect pool.
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Candidates are ranked according to the General Skilled Migration points test.
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Home Affairs may conduct invitation rounds and select candidates from eligible occupations.
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If invited, applicants have 60 days to lodge a Subclass 189 visa application through ImmiAccount
An EOI can remain active for up to two years. During this period, invitation outcomes may change depending on programme settings, occupation demand and the competitiveness of other candidates.
For a detailed explanation of invitation trends and recent invitation results, see our 189 invitation round analysis.
Invitations Under the Skilled Independent Visa
Invitations for the Subclass 189 are issued at the discretion of Home Affairs and depend on programme planning levels, occupation-specific priorities, and ranking within SkillSelect.
It is important to distinguish between three separate things:
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Eligibility — meeting the visa requirements to submit an EOI
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Competitiveness — ranking well within your occupation in SkillSelect
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Invitation — being selected to lodge a visa application
Invitation behaviour can change over time and should not be assumed to follow a regular schedule.
Latest Invitation Round Update
Based on invitations reported by RACC clients during the 4 June 2026 invitation round, invitations were received across multiple occupations including:
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Social Worker
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Registered Nurse
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General Practitioner
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Secondary School Teacher
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Physiotherapist and Solicitor
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and more.
In the 4 June 2026 round, trade occupations — including Carpenter, Electrician, Plumber, and Bricklayer — were invited at the minimum 65 points, while the highest cut-off recorded was 100 points for Urologist.
View the full invitation round update and reported invitation points.
Why Some Applicants Receive Invitations Faster Than Others
Receiving an invitation depends on more than simply meeting the visa requirements.
Several factors may influence invitation outcomes, including:
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Occupation demand
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Number of available invitations
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Points score
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Ranking within SkillSelect
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Government programme priorities
This is why two applicants with the same occupation may experience different waiting times.
Applicants should distinguish between:
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Eligibility to submit an EOI
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Competitiveness within their occupation
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Selection during an invitation round
To understand how invitation availability may vary by occupation, see our guide to the 189 visa occupation ceiling formula.
189 Visa Processing Time
Home Affairs currently processes 50% of Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) Points-tested applications within 7 months of lodgement, and 90% within 8 months, per the Department's Global Visa Processing Times tool (checked September 2026). This is the Points-tested stream only — the New Zealand stream runs on a separate, longer timeline.
How Long Does a Subclass 189 Visa Take After You Lodge?
Once you lodge a Points-tested Subclass 189 application, Home Affairs finalises half of all applications within 7 months, and 9 in 10 within 8 months, based on the Department's Global Visa Processing Times tool (data checked September 2026).
These figures are estimates drawn from recently decided applications — not a guarantee for any individual case. Your application can take longer than the 8-month benchmark if you submit it without complete supporting documents, or if the Department needs to run additional health, character, or security checks.
Lodging a decision-ready application — every required document attached at the time you lodge — is the single biggest factor within your control for staying inside the 90% timeframe. For a side-by-side comparison against the 190 and 491 skilled visas, see our Australia visa processing times guide.
When Does Subclass 189 Visa Processing Begin?
An Expression of Interest is not a visa application. Published processing times relate to the visa application stage after an applicant has received an invitation and lodged a Subclass 189 visa application.
Before entering SkillSelect, applicants should confirm that their occupation appears on the Subclass 189 occupation list and understand how points are awarded under the Subclass 189 points test.
The published processing period does not include:
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time spent obtaining a skills assessment
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time spent completing an English language test
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time spent preparing an Expression of Interest
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time spent waiting for a SkillSelect invitation
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the period between receiving an invitation and lodging the visa application
Home Affairs will not process a visa application until the correct Visa Application Charge has been paid.
There is no guaranteed timeframe for receiving a Subclass 189 invitation. An Expression of Interest remains active in SkillSelect for two years, but remaining in the pool does not guarantee an invitation.
Applicants can review previous SkillSelect invitation rounds to understand how invitation numbers and minimum points scores have varied.
What Can Affect Subclass 189 Processing Times?
The Department of Home Affairs states that visa processing times can vary for several reasons, including:
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whether the application includes all necessary supporting documents
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whether the application is lodged online or on paper
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how quickly the applicant responds to requests for further information
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how long it takes to receive information from external agencies, particularly for health, character and national security requirements
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the number of places available in the Permanent Migration Program
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the complexity of the application
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increases or decreases in the number of applications
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changes to Ministerial Directions
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the time required to finalise older applications
Permanent skilled visa processing can also be affected by migration program planning levels, skilled visa processing priorities, application completeness, and the volume of applications received and already on hand.
Invitation availability can also vary between occupations. See how occupation limits may affect invitations in our guide to the Subclass 189 occupation ceiling formula.
Home Affairs does not always process applications in the order they are received. Lodging a complete application with the necessary supporting documents can help avoid unnecessary delays, but it does not guarantee that an application will be decided within a particular timeframe.
Important: Subclass 189 New Zealand Stream Processing Times
The New Zealand stream has substantially different processing times and should not be confused with the Points-Tested stream.
According to Department of Home Affairs data from August 2026, processing times for the Subclass 189 New Zealand stream are:
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25% of applications are finalised within approximately 49 months
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50% of applications are finalised within approximately 53 months
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75% of applications are finalised within approximately 57 months
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90% of applications are finalised within approximately 61 months
Applicants should confirm which Subclass 189 stream applies to them before relying on published processing times.
Last processing-time check: August 2026
189 Visa Cost
The government Visa Application Charge (VAC) for the Subclass 189 Points-Tested stream is AUD $6,135 for the primary applicant, current as at September 2026 per the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator. Each additional applicant aged 18 or older adds AUD $3,070, and each additional applicant under 18 adds AUD $1,540. For a personalised estimate based on your own family size and application type, use RACC's Australia Visa Fee Calculator.
These amounts reflect the visa pricing changes introduced from 1 July 2026. See RACC's complete breakdown of the Australian visa fee increase from 1 July 2026.
These figures are government visa application charges only. They do not represent the full cost of preparing and lodging a Subclass 189 visa application.
Subclass 189 Visa Cost Examples
Single Applicant
A single primary applicant would pay:
AUD $6,135
Primary Applicant and Adult Partner
A primary applicant applying with one adult partner would pay:
AUD $6,135 + AUD $3,070 = AUD $9,205
Primary Applicant, Adult Partner and One Child
A primary applicant applying with one adult partner and one child under 18 would pay:
AUD $6,135 + AUD $3,070 + AUD $1,540 = AUD $10,745
Primary Applicant, Adult Partner and Two Children
A primary applicant applying with one adult partner and two children under 18 would pay:
AUD $6,135 + AUD $3,070 + AUD $1,540 + AUD $1,540 = AUD $12,285
These examples are based on the standard Subclass 189 Points-Tested stream charges published for August 2026.
What Other Subclass 189 Visa Costs May Apply?
Depending on their circumstances, applicants may also need to pay for:
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a skills assessment conducted by the relevant assessing authority
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an approved English language test
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health examinations
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Australian or overseas police certificates
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English translations of documents
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biometrics, if requested
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professional assistance from a registered migration agent, if used
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a payment surcharge when paying government charges by credit card or PayPal
Skills assessment, English test, translation and migration-agent fees are not set by the Department of Home Affairs. The amounts depend on the relevant authority, provider or professional.
Not every additional expense applies to every applicant. The total cost will depend on the applicant’s occupation, location, family composition and individual circumstances.
Can a Lower Subclass 189 Visa Charge Apply?
A lower Visa Application Charge may apply to eligible citizens of Pacific Island countries, Timor-Leste or ASEAN member countries.
Eligibility conditions apply. Applicants should use the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator or check the current visa pricing table to confirm whether a lower charge applies to their application.
Are Subclass 189 Visa Fees Refundable?
The Department of Home Affairs does not usually refund the Visa Application Charge, even if a visa application is refused or withdrawn.
Applicants should confirm their eligibility and ensure that the claims made in their Expression of Interest can be supported with evidence before lodging a visa application.
When Is the Applicable Visa Charge Determined?
Australian visa charges can change.
The Department of Home Affairs states that the applicable visa cost depends on the date it receives the application.
If the price increases between the date an applicant attempts to lodge the application and the date Home Affairs receives it, the applicant must pay the new application charge.
Applicants should check the current Visa Pricing Table or Visa Pricing Estimator immediately before lodging.
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE 189 VISA — STEP BY STEP
Applying for the Subclass 189 involves several stages that must be completed in the correct order.
Step 1 — Confirm your occupation eligibility Check that your occupation is on the relevant skilled occupation list for the 189 visa. Identify the correct ANZSCO code and the assessing authority responsible for your occupation.
Step 2 — Obtain a positive skills assessment Apply for a skills assessment from the relevant authority (for example, Engineers Australia, ANMAC, ACS, VETASSESS, or others). The assessment must be current at the time of invitation. If your skills assessment is based on a qualification you completed in Australia on a student visa, that course must have been registered on CRICOS.
Step 3 — Complete an English language test Sit an approved English language test (IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced, or OET for health occupations). Higher scores attract additional points.
Step 4 — Calculate and build your points score Use the General Skilled Migration points test to calculate your score. Identify areas where you can legitimately increase your score — such as English proficiency, Australian work experience, or partner skills factors. See the full 189 visa points table.
Step 5 — Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect Lodge your EOI online through the SkillSelect portal. Your EOI remains active for two years and can be updated at any time before receiving an invitation.
Step 6 — Wait for an invitation to apply Your EOI is ranked within your occupation. Home Affairs issues invitations to the highest-ranked candidates. There is no fixed timeline — waiting periods vary significantly by occupation.
Step 7 — Lodge your visa application If invited, you have 60 days to lodge your Subclass 189 visa application through ImmiAccount. You must provide evidence for all claims made in your EOI at this stage.
Step 8 — Complete health and character requirements Undertake an Australian immigration health examination with a panel physician. Obtain police clearance certificates from Australia and any country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
Step 9 — After lodgement, the Department of Home Affairs will assess the application and may request additional information.
According to Department of Home Affairs data from August 2026 for the Subclass 189 Points-Tested stream:
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25% of applications: approximately 6 months
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50% of applications: approximately 7 months
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75% of applications: approximately 8 months
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90% of applications: approximately 9 months
These published processing times relate to the visa application stage. They do not include the separate time spent preparing an Expression of Interest or waiting for a SkillSelect invitation.
Processing times are based on recently finalised applications. They are estimates only and do not guarantee when an individual application will be decided.
Processing may also be affected by application completeness, requests for further information, external health or character checks, migration program planning levels, skilled visa processing priorities and the volume of applications being handled by Home Affairs.
189 VISA DOCUMENTS — WHAT YOU NEED
When lodging a Subclass 189 visa application, you will generally need to provide the following documents. Requirements may vary depending on your individual circumstances.
Identity and personal documents
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Current passport (and any previous passports)
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Birth certificate
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National identity documents
Skills and qualifications
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Positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority (must be current)
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Academic transcripts and degree certificates
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Evidence of all qualifications claimed in the EOI
English language
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Official score report from an approved English language test (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, Cambridge, or OET)
Employment evidence
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Reference letters from employers on company letterhead, confirming dates, role, hours, and duties
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Payslips, contracts, or other supporting employment records
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Documents for all skilled employment claimed in the EOI
Health requirements
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Completed Australian immigration health examination (through an authorised panel physician)
Character requirements
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Australian Federal Police clearance (if you have lived in Australia for 12 cumulative months or more in the past 10 years)
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Police clearances from each country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years
Partner and family documents (if applicable)
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Marriage certificate or de facto relationship evidence
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Birth certificates for dependent children
All documents in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Incomplete or inconsistent documentation is one of the most common reasons for delays and requests for further information after lodgement.
189 VISA vs 190 VISA vs 491 VISA — KEY DIFFERENCES
The Subclass 189, 190, and 491 are the three main pathways under General Skilled Migration. Choosing the right pathway depends on your occupation, points score, and willingness to live in a specific state or region.
Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent
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Visa type: Permanent residence from grant
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Sponsorship: None required
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Where you can live: Anywhere in Australia
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How you're selected: Points score ranking in SkillSelect
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Best suited to: Applicants with high points scores seeking maximum flexibility
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Key consideration: Points required vary widely by occupation — trade occupations were invited at the minimum 65 points in the most recent round, while the most in-demand professional and medical occupations required up to 100 points
Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated
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Visa type: Permanent residence from grant
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Sponsorship: State or territory government nomination required
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Where you can live: Anywhere in Australia (with a two-year obligation to live and work in the nominating state)
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How you're selected: Nomination by a state/territory, then ranked in SkillSelect (nomination adds 5 bonus points)
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Best suited to: Applicants with 70–85 points who can secure state nomination
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Key consideration: More accessible for mid-range points scores; state occupation lists and criteria vary
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional
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Visa type: Temporary — five-year provisional visa with a pathway to permanent residence via Subclass 191
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Sponsorship: State or territory government nomination, or sponsorship by an eligible family member in a regional area
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Where you can live: Designated regional areas only during the provisional period
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How you're selected: Nomination, then ranked in SkillSelect (nomination adds 15 bonus points)
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Best suited to: Applicants with 65–80 points who are willing to live regionally
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Key consideration: Fastest pathway to PR for lower-points applicants; requires three years in a regional area before applying for the 191
Which pathway is right for you? The 189 offers the most freedom but demands the strongest points profile. The 190 sits in the middle — permanent residence with a state obligation. The 491 is often the fastest route to PR for applicants with moderate points scores, provided they are willing to commit to regional living.
Common Misunderstandings About the 189 Visa
Several common assumptions about the Subclass 189 lead to incorrect planning:
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Meeting the 65-point minimum guarantees an invitation — it does not. It only allows you to enter the SkillSelect pool.
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Invitations are issued on a fixed monthly schedule — invitation rounds have no guaranteed timetable.
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All eligible occupations receive invitations — some eligible occupations have not received invitations in a given financial year.
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Processing time includes waiting for an invitation — it does not. Processing begins only after a visa application is lodged.
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Holding a 491 or 494 visa means you can switch to the 189 anytime — it doesn't. If your current or most recent substantive visa is a Subclass 491 or Subclass 494, you must have held it for at least 3 years before you can apply for the 189 onshore.
These misunderstandings often lead to incorrect timeline expectations and poor pathway planning.
Related Subclass 189 Resources
Continue your research with these RACC guides:
These resources explain how points are calculated, how invitations are issued and how occupation demand can influence invitation outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) a permanent visa?
Yes. The Subclass 189 visa grants permanent residence in Australia from the date of grant.
How many points do I need to get an invitation for the 189 visa?
The minimum points score to submit an Expression of Interest is 65 points. However, the score required to receive an invitation is higher in most occupations. Competitive scores in 2025–26 have ranged from 65–70 points for high-demand trade occupations to 90–110 points for some engineering and ICT roles. The score needed depends on your occupation and the ranking of other candidates in the same pool.
Can I apply for the 189 visa without employer or state sponsorship?
Yes. The Subclass 189 visa does not require any form of sponsorship — no employer, state government, or family member needs to support your application.
How long does a Subclass 189 visa take?
As at September 2026, Home Affairs finalises 50% of Points-tested Subclass 189 applications within 7 months of lodgement, and 90% within 8 months, based on the Department's Global Visa Processing Times tool. This clock starts from your lodgement date, not your EOI submission date.
Does the Subclass 189 processing time include waiting for an invitation?
No. An Expression of Interest is not a visa application.
Published processing times relate to the visa application stage after an applicant has received an invitation and lodged a Subclass 189 visa application. They do not include the separate period spent waiting for a SkillSelect invitation.
How long does it take to receive a Subclass 189 invitation?
There is no guaranteed timeframe for receiving an invitation.
An EOI can remain active in SkillSelect for two years. Invitations depend on factors including the applicant’s points score, occupation, the availability of places and Australian Government migration program settings.
How long do I have to apply after receiving a Subclass 189 invitation?
An invited applicant has 60 calendar days from the date of the invitation to lodge a Subclass 189 visa application.
The Department of Home Affairs states that this period cannot be extended.
Does receiving a Subclass 189 invitation guarantee a visa?
No. Receiving an invitation does not guarantee that the visa will be granted.
When applying, the applicant must provide evidence supporting the points and other claims made in the Expression of Interest and meet all applicable visa requirements.
Why do some Subclass 189 applications take longer?
Your application can exceed the published benchmark if it's missing required documents, if Home Affairs needs additional health, character or security checks, or if your case falls outside the standard priority category. Submitting a complete, decision-ready application at lodgement is the main way to stay within the published timeframe.
Does submitting a complete application guarantee faster processing?
No. Lodging a complete application with all necessary supporting documents can help avoid unnecessary delays, but it does not guarantee priority processing or a decision within a particular timeframe.
Home Affairs does not always process applications in the order they are received.
How much does a Subclass 189 visa cost?
According to Department of Home Affairs pricing data from August 2026, the Subclass 189 Points-Tested stream costs:
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Primary applicant: AUD $6,135
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Each additional applicant aged 18 or older: AUD $3,070
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Each additional applicant under 18: AUD $1,540
How much does a Subclass 189 visa cost for a couple?
A primary applicant applying with one adult partner would pay AUD $9,205 in standard government Visa Application Charges, based on August 2026 pricing.
This does not include other possible costs such as a skills assessment, English test, health examinations, police certificates, translations or professional assistance.
How much does a Subclass 189 visa cost for a family of three?
A primary applicant applying with one adult partner and one child under 18 would pay AUD $10,745 in standard government Visa Application Charges, based on August 2026 pricing.
Other application-related expenses are not included.
What additional Subclass 189 costs may apply?
Depending on their circumstances, applicants may also need to pay for:
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a skills assessment
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an approved English language test
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health examinations
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police certificates
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translations
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biometrics
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payment surcharges
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professional assistance from a registered migration agent
Can a lower Subclass 189 visa fee apply?
A lower Visa Application Charge may apply to eligible citizens of Pacific Island countries, Timor-Leste or ASEAN member countries.
Eligibility conditions apply, so applicants should confirm the current amount using the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator.
Are Subclass 189 visa fees refundable?
The Department of Home Affairs does not usually refund the Visa Application Charge, even if a visa application is refused or withdrawn.
Which Subclass 189 visa fee applies if prices change?
The Department of Home Affairs states that the applicable cost depends on the date it receives the visa application.
If the price increases before Home Affairs receives the application, the applicant may need to pay the new charge.
How long can my EOI stay active?
An EOI remains active in SkillSelect for up to two years. Remaining in the pool does not guarantee an invitation.
Can I consider other skilled visa options if I do not receive a 189 invitation?
Yes. Applicants who do not receive a 189 invitation may be eligible for the Subclass 190 (state nominated, +5 points) or Subclass 491 (regional, +15 points) pathways. Some applicants find these options more accessible depending on their occupation and points score.
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