Guide to Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
Have you been living and working in Australia for a long time? Are you thinking of getting an Australia Permanent Residency Visa? Then this blog is exactly what you need.
As per the United Nations Human Development Index, Australia has been ranked among the top 10 countries in the world. It provides a healthy work-life balance, excellent quality of life, and world-class education system. So, it only makes it valid for you to make a permanent move to Australia.
Having an Australian permanent residency visa brings multiple benefits to migrants, making it the first move towards getting Australian citizenship. We list down some of the benefits of getting a permanent visa after studying in Australia.
Benefits of Australia Permanent Residency (PR) Visa
There are certain benefits of holding an Australia Permanent Residency (PR) Visa.
- You can stay in any part of Australia and enjoy rights & privileges associated with your permanent residency status.
- You are eligible to work anywhere in Australia and get work compensation equivalent to that of an Australian citizen.
- You will be eligible for social security benefits, such as student benefits, unemployment benefits, sickness, and more.
- You will also be eligible for the free healthcare cover charge, which will cover all your medical treatment costs at any government hospital in Australia.
- With an Australian permanent residency visa, you are eligible for further education anywhere in Australia at any university.
- You will then be eligible to sponsor the permanent residency of any of your relatives after they have spent a reasonable time in Australia.
Australian PR Visa Categories
To get a PR visa for any country, there are various categories to choose from. You need to apply for the category that matches your requirements.
General Skilled Migration Visa
The GSM visa is a popular category for people who want to work and live in Australia as permanent residents. Generally, GSM does not require applicants to have a mandatory sponsorship from an Australian employer. But, applicants with a sponsorship are also eligible for this visa category.
GSM comes under the following three categories:
- Skilled Independent visa - Subclass 189
- Skilled Nominated visa - Subclass 190
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa - Subclass 491
What is Skilled Independent Visa 189?
This is the most popular GSM visa category. It works on a point-based visa system and therefore does not require applicants to hold any sponsorship from an Australian employer beforehand.
Requirements of Skilled Independent Visa 189
The requirements for a skilled independent visa 189 are as follows:
- A minimum of 65 points in the Skillselect system
- Maximum age limit of 45 years
- Minimum IELTS band score of 6 in all four abilities
- An invitation to apply for the visa
- Meet the health and character requirements
How to Apply for Skilled Independent Visa 189?
The application process for skilled independent visa 189 is straightforward. All you need to do is follow these simple steps:
- Collect your requirement documents i.e. IELTS score and other documents for submission.
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the online Skillselect system of Australia and get a minimum score of 65.
- Get an invitation to apply from the Department of Home Affairs, Australia.
- Apply for the visa within the 60 days' time limit after receiving the invitation.
PR Points on Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has defined the criteria into categories like Age (30 pts for 25-32) or Superior English (20 pts) to reach the total score for an Expression of Interest (EOI). Candidates scoring a minimum of 65 points would be considered eligible by DHA, an organisation responsible for immigration. Points determine your eligibility for an Australia PR visa.
Factors Affecting Points on Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189
Here's a breakdown of how points are calculated for the 189 Visa, based on the official criteria (points change at invitation).
Age
- 18–24 years: 25 points
- 25–32 years: 30 points
- 33–39 years: 25 points
- 40–44 years: 15 points
English Language Ability (e.g., IELTS Academic, PTE Academic)
- Competent English (IELTS Academic 6.0 bands in each): 0 points (but required for EOI)
- Proficient English (IELTS Academic 7.0 bands in each): 10 points
- Superior English (IELTS Academic 8.0 bands in each): 20 points
Educational Qualification (Assessed by relevant authority)
- Doctorate (Australian or recognised standard): 20 points
- Bachelor Degree/Masters (Australian or recognised standard): 15 points
- Diploma/Trade Qualification (Australian or recognised standard): 10 points
Skilled Employment Experience (Outside Australia)
- 5+ years: 10 points
- 8+ years: 15 points (check current rules for specifics)
Skilled Employment Experience (in Australia)
- 3+ years: 5 points
- 5+ years: 10 points (check current rules for specifics)
Australian Study Requirement
- Diploma/Trade qualification from Australian institution: 5 points
Other Factors
- Partner Skills: Up to 10 points (spouse meets English & skills requirements)
- Competent English for Partner: 5 points
- Study in Regional Australia: 5 points
- Credentialed Community Language: 5 points
- Single Applicant (no partner): 10 points (if applicable/current)
What is Processing Time for Subclass 189 Visa?
The processing time for a skilled independent visa 189 depends on many factors, but on average, it can take around 8 months to 1 year to process your application.
Factors Affecting Processing Time of Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189
There are multiple factors taken into consideration by the Australian Home Office to decide on your visa application. These factors are:
- Accuracy of your visa application and the relevant documents attached to it.
- Your response to any further information asked by the Home Office.
- The time required to verify all the information shared in the application.
- The total number of applications.
What is the Cost of Subclass 189 Visa?
The base cost of the skilled independent visa- subclass 189 is AU $4,115. In addition to this cost, there is an extra charge depending on the age of the applicants. For applicants under 18 years of age, it is AU $1,030, and for applicants over 18 years of age, it is AU $2,055.
Apart from these charges, there are additional charges associated with the skilled independent visa 189, and they are as follows:
- Skill Assessment Body Fee: AU $500 - $1,000 approximately depending upon the occupation.
- Medical and PCC Fees and State Nomination Fees: Depending upon the applicant's occupation.
- IELTS Academic Test Fee: AU $300 - $400 approximately for the English proficiency test.
Australia is a charming place to work, raise a family and build a successful career in. It attracts international students from not just developing countries but also developed countries like the UK and Canada. So, if you want to move to Australia to study, speak to AECC education counsellors now.