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The Australian Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) allows an invited Applicant who has the skills that Australia needs, to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia.
The Applicant needs to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). If the DHA accepts the EOI and invites them, then the Applicant can apply for this Visa.
This is a Points-Tested Visa. When an Applicant submits their EOI they will be given an indicative points score based on the claims they have made. A minimum of 65 points is required, however, most occupations require a higher point score.
The Skilled Visa program is very complex with a number of eligibility criteria, so we recommend that you book a complimentary consultation with Andreas Athanasiou by scrolling to the Booking section at the bottom of this page.
You can have everything explained to you so you can make the right decision and not apply for the wrong subclass, which would cost you money, time and the opportunity to re-apply immediately, in some cases.
To be eligible to apply for Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189), the Applicant must:
The abovementioned criteria are the bare minimum. More information will need to be provided by the Applicant to confirm eligibility. Please contact our Office for a complimentary consultation to discuss your matter.
The Applicant must be skilled in an occupation on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). This List has over 200 Occupations that have been identified to be in a critical 'skills shortage' category for Australia.
Some common occupations in the MLTSSL include: Accountants, Registered Nurses, Motor Mechanics, Chefs, Cabinet Makers, Painting Trades Workers, Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumbers, Carpenters, ICT Business Analysts, Engineers, etc.
Please keep in mind that the Skilled Occupation Lists change periodically. This includes including new occupations or removing occupations altogether.
Before lodging an EOI, Applicants are required to provide a Skills Assessment to demonstrate their Skills.
Afterwards, Applicants may use the EOI Points Calculator on our website. The more points they have, the higher the chance of being invited after lodging the EOI.
The DHA will assess the following categories, and based on the answers, the Applicant will receive points towards their final score:
The Applicant must demonstrate that they have the skills and experience necessary to perform the nominated occupation, and that the points they claimed they had in the EOI is true and correct.
If they are invited, during the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) Visa process, they will need the provide the following to the DHA:
If the Applicant is overseas when they apply for this Visa, it is recommended that they wait overseas for a decision.
If the Applicant is in Australia when they apply for the Visa, and depending on the current Visa they hold, they will receive a Bridging Visa A (BVA) the day that they apply for the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) Visa.
This BVA will come into effect the day after their current substantive visa ends. With this BVA, they can remain in Australia until a decision is made on the Visa. If they wish to travel overseas, they must apply for a Bridging Visa B (BVB) beforehand.
The approximate processing time for a decision: The DHA’s indication is between 18 months and 19 months for a decision. However, this changes on a monthly basis.
A large number of previous Skilled Visa applications that Andreas Athanasiou has lodged have been granted in a shorter period, due to the detailed and thorough decision-ready applications he has submitted.
The DHA charges $4,765 (AUD) for a Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) Visa.
Members of the family unit can be included as secondary applicants (additional DHA fees apply).
There may be other additional costs, such as:
If the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) Visa is granted, then the Applicant is a Permanent Resident of Australia.
During this time, they can live, work and travel within Australia and overseas without any restrictions.
To begin a Skilled visa application, an Applicant must first complete and submit a free Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. A minimum of 65 points is required to be eligible.
If the Applicant is an eligible New Zealand Citizen, then they may already be eligible for Australian Citizenship and not need a Skilled Visa. Visit our NZ Portal to find out more.
Immediate compassionate assistance can be provided for complex issues, such as Health Waivers, No Further Stay Conditions, Status Resolution for Unlawful Immigrants and more.
The Director and Registered Migration Agent, Andreas Athanasiou, has 9+ years of experience in the Australian immigration industry. You can read more about his experience and qualifications in the 'About Us' section.
Having personally assisted in lodging over 1,000 applications, he will be able to assist you and give you peace of mind. There are skilled workers all over Australia whose lives have changed for the better because of the trust they put in Andreas; and you can be next.
You can discuss this case with Andreas face-to-face (in Melbourne) or via Zoom. You can book a complimentary consultation using the information at the bottom of this page.
Our promise to you: Our firm has an 100% success record with Work/Skilled Visa matters. However, in the unlikely event that an application is refused, we will re-apply with no additional professional fees paid to Olympus Migration.
The Applicant must demonstrate that they have the Skills, Qualifications and Experience necessary to perform the nominated occupation, and that the points they claimed they had in the EOI is true and correct.
If they are invited to apply for this visa, Applicants may need to provide a satisfactory combination of the following to the DHA:
For Skilled Visas, Applicants must also provide a valid Skills Assessment.
Yes. For the Application to be valid, the Applicant must have a suitable and valid Skills Assessment.
The Skills Assessment must have been obtained in the 3 years before the date of the Invitation. If the Skills Assessment was for a shorter period, that period must not have passed.
If the skills were assessed on the basis of a qualification the Applicant got in Australia when they held a Student Visa, the qualification must be from studying a course registered on CRICOS.
A Skills Assessment obtained for a Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is not a valid Skills Assessment for the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) Visa.
Before lodging an EOI, Applicants are required to provide a Skills Assessment to demonstrate their Skills.
Afterwards, when lodging the EOI, the more points the Applicant has, the higher the chance of being invited to apply for this visa.
The Applicant will receive points towards their final score based on their answers in the following categories:
You can calculate your points using our EOI Points Calculator in this link.
Applicants will need to prove that they have ‘Competent’ English by undertaking an English Language Test.
You are automatically exempt from undertaking the English Language Test if you hold a Passport from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland.
If you do not hold any of the abovenamed passports, you will need to provide one of the following English Language Tests (Validity and Actual Results can be found in the Overview of this page):
The higher you score in this test, the more points you will be able to receive (which is why most Applicants from the exempt countries still undertake an English Language Test).
Applicants must be of good character to visit or live in Australia. This means you must pass the character test, and remain of good character.
The character requirements are set out under Section 501 of the Migration Act 1958. The DHA refers to this section to decide if you are of good character.
You must always disclose all of your criminal history when applying for a Visa.
If you fail to disclose anything that may be on your record, and your application is approved, the DHA may cancel this Visa or any future Visas when they find out.
Australia enjoys some of the best health standards in the world. To maintain these standards, most Visa Applicants must meet the minimum health standards before the DHA will grant them a Visa.
Your appointed representative will confirm with you whether you (and any secondary applicants) will need to undertake a Health Examination, and can provide you with your DHA-issued reference, which is called a HAP ID.
If you are in Australia, it is likely you will need to undertake a Health Examination with Bupa Medical Visa Services.
If you are overseas, the DHA has a list of approved Panel Physicians or Clinics you must visit.
Yes, as long as they meet the 'Member of the Family Unit' criteria. Your appointed Representative should confirm this with you.
Members of the Family Unit who are included in the visa may also need to meet the DHA’s Health and Criminal History requirements.
The 5 most common reasons for Skilled Visa refusals are as follows:
You can find out more in our dedicated video explaining this in our Video Library.
You can discuss your case and concerns with Andreas Athanasiou either Face-to-Face or via Zoom.
You can book a confidential and complimentary consultation to assess your eligibility using the details below.
Head Office: L10, 440 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Satellite Office: Templestowe VIC 3106
Let’s change the future of your family tree together!
We are open 7 days a week, including on Public Holidays.
Email: andreas@olympusmigration.com.au Call: 1300 804 204 or Message us directly below!
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Website Navigation (Partner Visas)
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Website Navigation (Skilled Visas)
• Skilled Visas Portal • Skilled Independent (189) • Skilled Nomination (190) • Expression of Interest (EOI) • EOI Calculator • Medium to Long Term List (MLTSSL) • Short Term List (STSOL) • Regional List (ROL) • Contact Us •
Website Navigation (Australian Citizenship)
• Australian Citizenship Portal • Citizenship (by Conferral) • Citizenship (by Descent) • Citizenship (by Birth) • Citizenship (for NZ Citizens) • Citizenship Eligibility • Citizenship Test & Interview • Australian Passports • Medicare • Resident Return (155/157) • Contact Us •
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• New Zealand Portal • Greek Portal • European Union Portal • LGBTQIA+ Portal • Other Visas Portal • Protection (866) • Business Innovation & Investment Visa (188/888) • Administrative Review Tribunal (A.R.T.) • Contact Us •
Website Navigation (Additional Services)
• Complex Services Portal • Status Resolution for Unlawful Immigrants (BVE) • No Further Stay Waivers (NFS) • Visa Cancellations (NOICC) • Character Requirements (s501) • Family Violence Provisions (FVP) • Sponsorship Limitation Waivers • Schedule 3 Criteria Waivers (SCH3) • Health Waivers • Work Rights Request • Australian Passports • Contact Us •
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Olympus Migration Disclaimer
The information on this website & affiliated Olympus Migration Pty Ltd pages (such as our Google, Facebook & YouTube pages) is intended to provide users with general information on Australian immigration matters, including Visa Subclasses, Citizenship Pathways and Tribunal Appeals. The information contained is not intended to replace or serve as substitute to professional advice you would receive in a consultation with a Registered Migration Agent (RMA), such as our Director, Mr Andreas Athanasiou (MARN: 1685134). The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) makes frequent legislative changes in relation to immigration criteria, eligibility, processing times and fees; in some instances, without any prior notice. We endeavour to keep the website as current as possible, but we do not guarantee its accuracy. We strongly recommend that you attend a consultation with an experienced Registered Migration Agent (RMA) for professional advice concerning any Australian immigration matters before lodging any immigration-related applications with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) or any other relevant bodies. Before appointing a Registered Migration Agent (RMA), ensure that you have been provided with copies of the RMA Consumer Guide and the RMA Code of Conduct.