Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent visa
Statutory definition
Subclass 189 is prescribed in Schedule 2 of the Migration Regulations 1994. Applicants must receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from SkillSelect before lodging an application. The invitation is based on the applicant's points score under the points test, occupation ceiling availability, and pool cutoff scores. On grant, the Subclass 189 is a permanent visa permitting unlimited travel for five years and permanent residence.
Explanation
The Subclass 189 is the pathway for skilled workers who do not need state/territory sponsorship or employer sponsorship. It is the most flexible permanent skilled visa because there are no ongoing obligations to a specific state or employer. The key requirements are: an occupation on the relevant skills list (currently the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List or Short-term Skilled Occupation List); a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority; English proficiency; age under 45; and a competitive points score to receive an ITA.
Competition for Subclass 189 invitations is governed by the SkillSelect pool — the Department issues ITAs when it conducts selection rounds.