Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

The Australian Skilled Independent Visa, allows migrants to live and work in Australia without a job or sponsorship. Eligibility for the general skilled migration is assessed on skills and work experience, based on meeting the required points under a points system.

Applicants must:

• be under 50 years of age
• meet the minimum requirement for English competency
• nominate and hold a skilled assessment for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List at the time of your application
• provide evidence of recent employment in a skilled occupation or have recently completed the Australian Study requirement
• meet health requirements
• meet character requirements.

Successful applicants get a permanent residence visa. It allows the applicant and any family members who have also been granted this visa to:

• stay in Australia indefinitely
• work and study in Australia
• enrol in  Australia’s scheme for health-related care and expenses
• sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
• travel to and from Australia for five years from the date the visa is granted (after that a resident return visa is required).