If you are planning to migrate to Australia without employer or state sponsorship, understanding the 189 visa requirements is essential. The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is a permanent resident visa that allows highly skilled professionals to live and work anywhere in Australia. With policy refinements expected in 2026, applicants must be clearer than ever about eligibility, points, English scores, and documentation. This guide in-depth explains 189 visa requirements 2026, covering points calculation, occupation lists, application steps, and FAQs
The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is a points-tested permanent residency visa. Unlike sponsored visas, it does not require employer, state, or family sponsorship. Applicants are selected through SkillSelect based on points, occupation demand, and invitation rounds run by the Department of Home Affairs.
Key benefits
Permanent residency from day one
Live, work, and study anywhere in Australia
Access to Medicare and social security benefits (after waiting periods)
Sponsor eligible family members
Pathway to Australian citizenship
To meet 189 visa requirements in 2026, you must satisfy all of the following:
Nominate an eligible occupation
Obtain a positive skills assessment
Meet age, English, health, and character criteria
Achieve at least 65 points (competitive scores are higher)
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect
Receive an invitation to apply
Lodge a complete visa application within the deadline
Each of these 189 requirements is explained below.
Your occupation must appear on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) at the time of invitation. Occupations commonly invited include engineering, IT, healthcare, construction, and certain trades—subject to labour market needs and ceilings.
Tip: Occupation ceilings and priority sectors may shift in 2026. Always check the latest list before lodging your EOI.
A positive skills assessment confirms your qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards. Each occupation has a designated assessing authority (e.g., Engineers Australia, ACS, VETASSESS).
Important notes
Skills assessments must be valid at invitation time
Some authorities require recent work experience
Documents must be verifiable and consistent
You must be under 45 years of age at the time you receive an invitation.
Age points
18–24 years: 25 points
25–32 years: 30 points (maximum)
33–39 years: 25 points
40–44 years: 15 points
Turning 45 before invitation makes you ineligible.
4. 189 Visa English Requirements (IELTS, PTE & More)
Meeting 189 visa English requirements is critical for eligibility and points. English can be demonstrated via IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, or Cambridge.
Many applicants prefer PTE due to quicker results and computer-based testing. For 189 visa PTE requirements:
Competent: Overall 50 (each component)
Proficient: Overall 65 (each component)
Superior: Overall 79 (each component)
Pro tip: Aim for Superior English to remain competitive in invitation rounds.
While the minimum is 65 points, invitations often require 80–95+ depending on occupation. Points are awarded across multiple factors.
Profile
Age: 29 (30 points)
English: Superior (20 points)
Overseas experience: 5 years (10 points)
Australian experience: 1 year (5 points)
Education: Bachelor’s degree (15 points)
Single applicant (10 points)
Total = 90 points
This score is typically competitive for many MLTSSL occupations.
Education affects points—not baseline eligibility (unless required by the assessing authority).
Doctorate: 20 points
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree: 15 points
Diploma/Trade qualification: 10 points
Degrees must be recognized by the assessing authority.
Points depend on relevant, skilled employment:
3–5 years: 5 points
5–8 years: 10 points
8+ years: 15 points
1–3 years: 5 points
3–5 years: 10 points
5–8 years: 15 points
8+ years: 20 points
Experience must align with your nominated occupation.
You can claim up to 10 points for partner factors:
Skilled partner with English & skills assessment: 10 points
Partner with competent English only: 5 points
Single or partner is Australian PR/citizen: 10 points
Accurate documentation is essential to avoid refusals.
All applicants must:
Pass medical examinations by panel physicians
Provide police clearances from every country lived in (12+ months)
Health waivers are limited for 189 visas, so plan carefully.
Submitting an EOI is not a visa application. It’s your profile in the selection pool.
Best practices
Claim only verifiable points
Update English scores or experience promptly
Monitor invitation rounds
EOIs remain valid for two years.
Invitations are issued periodically based on:
Occupation demand
Points ranking
Policy priorities (health, construction, tech)
Higher points = faster invitation. Some occupations may receive limited or no invitations despite meeting 189 requirements.
Australia’s skilled migration program continues to evolve based on labour shortages, economic priorities, and policy reforms. Understanding these changes can help you better plan your Skilled Independent Visa application. For deeper insights into upcoming reforms, labour demand, and invitation trends, you can explore Australia’s skilled migration program trends and reforms here:
Submit EOI in SkillSelect
Receive invitation
Lodge visa application within 60 days
Upload documents (skills, English, police, medicals)
Await decision
Processing times vary (6–12 months on average).
Claiming points without evidence
Letting skills assessment or English expire
Incorrect occupation selection
Inconsistent employment dates
These errors can lead to refusals—even after invitation.
189: Independent PR, highest competition
190: State-nominated PR, lower points threshold
491: Regional provisional visa with PR pathway
Choosing the right pathway improves success chances.
The minimum eligibility score is 65 points. However, due to high competition, most invitations are issued to applicants with 80–95+ points, depending on occupation demand.
Yes. Meeting the 189 visa English requirements is compulsory. Applicants must have at least competent English, while proficient or superior English increases points and improves selection chances.
For superior English, applicants must score 79 or above in each section of the PTE Academic test—listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
Yes. Australian work experience is not mandatory. Many applicants qualify using overseas skilled employment alone, provided their overall points score is competitive.
Yes. The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is available in 2026. However, invitation rounds, points cut-offs, and priority occupations may change based on Australia’s migration planning.
From selecting the correct occupation to optimising points and documentation, professional assistance can significantly reduce risks. Learn how experts help applicants avoid common mistakes in this article on understanding the role of a migration agent in your visa application
Meeting 189 visa requirements 2026 is achievable with the right planning, accurate points calculation, and strong English scores. As invitation rounds grow more competitive, focusing on 189 visa English requirements, optimising 189 visa PTE requirements, and selecting the right occupation can significantly improve your chances.
If you’re aiming for Australian PR through the Skilled Independent Visa, preparation is everything—start early, stay updated, and build a profile that stands out.
