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Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) allows invited skilled workers with qualifications and experience that Australia needs to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia.
Applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). If invited, they can then proceed to apply for the permanent visa.
This is a points-tested visa, and applicants receive a score based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and English proficiency. A minimum of 65 points is required to be eligible, although most occupations are highly competitive and may require a higher points score for an invitation.
Given the complexity of the Skilled Visa process and the numerous eligibility requirements involved, we recommend booking a complimentary consultation with Andreas Athanasiou to discuss your specific circumstances and pathway options.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189), the applicant must:
Be under 45 years of age.
Not hold certain visas that restrict further onshore applications.
Have complied with all previous visa conditions.
Be invited to apply after submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI).
Nominate an occupation listed on the relevant Skilled Occupation List.
Possess the skills, employment background, and qualifications needed to maximise their EOI points score.
Meet the English language requirement.
Hold a valid skills assessment for the nominated occupation.
Satisfy the character and health requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs.
The criteria listed above represent the minimum requirements only. Additional information and supporting documents may be required from the applicant to confirm eligibility.
For personalised guidance and an assessment of your individual circumstances, you are welcome to contact our office for a complimentary consultation.
Skilled Occupation List
Applicants must nominate an occupation listed on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). This list contains over 200 occupations that have been identified by the Australian Government as being in critical national skills shortage.
Some examples of occupations on the MLTSSL include Accountants, Registered Nurses, Motor Mechanics, Chefs, Cabinet Makers, Painting Trades Workers, Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumbers, Carpenters, ICT Business Analysts, and Engineers.
Please note that the Skilled Occupation Lists are updated periodically, and occupations may be added, amended, or removed as Australia’s labour market and economic priorities change.
Expression of Interest (EOI)
Before lodging an Expression of Interest (EOI), applicants are required to obtain a Skills Assessment from the relevant assessing authority to verify that their skills meet Australian standards for their nominated occupation.
Once the assessment is complete, applicants can use the EOI Points Calculator to estimate their potential score. The higher the points total, the greater the likelihood of receiving an invitation to apply for the visa.
The DHA will assess the following categories, and based on the answers, the Applicant will receive points towards their final score:
Age.
English Language Test Score.
Overseas Skilled Employment Experience.
Australian Skilled Employment Experience.
Educational Qualifications.
Australian Study Requirement.
Specialist Education Qualification.
Credentialed Community Language.
Regional Australian Study.
Partner Skills.
Professional Year in Australia.
Qualifications & Experience
Applicants must demonstrate that they possess the skills and experience required to perform their nominated occupation, and that the points claimed in their Expression of Interest (EOI) are accurate and verifiable.
If invited to apply for the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189), applicants will need to provide the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) with supporting documentation, which may include:
Qualification certificates and testamurs.
Professional registrations or licences.
Employment references from previous employers.
Updated curriculum vitae (CV).
Skills Assessment.
Payslips.
Bank statements showing salary deposits.
Superannuation records.
English language test results.
Any other evidence requested by the Department.
Providing clear, well-organised, and verifiable documentation helps ensure that the application is decision-ready and can be assessed efficiently and accurately by the DHA.
After the Visa Lodgement
If the applicant receives an invitation to apply following their Expression of Interest (EOI), they may then proceed to lodge the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) application.
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) currently indicates an average processing time of around 9 months for a decision.
However, this timeframe can vary depending on individual circumstances, application completeness, and changes in DHA processing priorities.
Visa Application Charge
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) charges an application fee of AUD $4,910 for a Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189).
If a spouse and/or dependent children are included in the application, additional DHA fees apply.
In addition to the DHA fee, applicants should also budget for other potential costs, which may include:
Immigration health examinations.
Skills Assessment.
Australian police clearance certificates.
Overseas police clearance certificates.
Registration of relationship (if applicable).
Certified translations of documents.
Bank or credit-card surcharges.
Professional fees charged by the appointed Migration Agency.*
*To help reduce financial pressure, Olympus Migration offers flexible payment plans, allowing professional fees to be paid in instalments over a period of up to 15 months.
After the Visa Decision
Once the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is granted, the applicant becomes a permanent resident of Australia.
As a permanent resident, they may live, work, and travel freely within Australia and overseas without restriction, enjoying the full rights and benefits associated with permanent residency.
In the following link you can find testimonials by past Clients and by individuals who have sought Australian immigration advice from our Director, Andreas Athanasiou.
These have been extracted from our Google Business page.
Our ‘Peace of Mind’ Policy
Our Director and Registered Migration Agent, Andreas Athanasiou, has dedicated over a decade to helping people build a future in Australia. Being an immigrant himself, is journey is deeply personal — he understands that every visa is not just an application, but a life, a dream, and a family hoping for a better tomorrow.
With more than 1,000 visas successfully prepared, Andreas has supported individuals and families from over 100 countries, each with their own story. Many of our clients began this journey feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or uncertain — but they found comfort, clarity, and success when they placed their trust in him. You can read more about his journey in our About Us section.
Whether you meet Andreas in person in Melbourne or speak with him via Zoom from anywhere in the world, you will be treated with kindness, dignity, and respect. Your concerns will be heard, your questions will be answered, and your future will be handled with care.
We offer a full 1-hour complimentary consultation because you deserve time, attention and genuine guidance — not rushed advice or expensive upfront fees. We firmly believe you should not have to pay hundreds of dollars just to understand your options, or be charged heavily before receiving real clarity.
We are committed to standing by your side every step of the way. In the unlikely event your application is refused, Olympus Migration will prepare and lodge a new application or appeal to the Tribunal at no additional professional fees, if you are eligible. This is our promise to you, and our ‘Peace of Mind’ policy. We do this because we believe in you — and we don’t give up on our clients.
At Olympus Migration, you are not just another file.
You are our family — and your journey is our mission.
What is the Process?
Why Olympus Migration?
Expert Advice
Our Director, Andreas Athanasiou, is a Registered Migration Agent (MARN: 1685134) and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia, with over a decade of experience and more than 1,000 successful visa lodgements to his name.
Fixed Fees
We operate strictly on a fixed-fee basis, ensuring complete transparency with no hidden costs or unexpected charges at any stage. To ease financial pressure, we also offer flexible payment plans of up to 15 months for our valued clients.
Prompt Service
Our clients are the heart of our company and the very reason we exist. We are deeply committed to their complete satisfaction, treating every matter as a top priority and always responding within the same business day.
Peace of Mind
In the unlikely event that an application is refused, we will re-apply or appeal the decision without charging any additional professional fees to Olympus Migration clients. This is our commitment to you — our Peace of Mind policy.
Book a Complimentary 1-Hour Consultation
You can discuss your case and concerns with Andreas Athanasiou either Face-to-Face or via Zoom.
You can book a confidential and complimentary 1-hour consultation to assess your eligibility using any of the options below:
• Email: andreas@olympusmigration.com.au
• Call: 1300 804 204
• Message us directly (in this section)
We are available 7 days a week, including on Public Holidays.
• Head Office: L10, 440 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
• Satellite Office: Templestowe VIC 3106
• Satellite Office: Epping VIC 3076
All Office meetings are by appointment only