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Skilled Independent visa - Points-tested stream (Subclass 189)

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Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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What type of worker, employment situation, occupation or professional activity is this pathway actually designed for?

The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) Points-tested stream is a permanent, points-tested skilled migration visa for invited workers with skills Australia needs. Access is by Expression of Interest (EOI) and invitation through SkillSelect rather than employer sponsorship: applicants must be invited to apply, hold a suitable skills assessment in an occupation on the approved skilled occupation list for this stream, and score at least 65 points.

See recorded sources

Does the applicant need a job offer, employer, sponsor, transfer relationship or other employer involvement? What is important about that employer relationship?

Access is by invitation only: the applicant submits an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, is ranked against other intending applicants and might be invited to apply. The published eligibility criteria do not include a job offer, employer, sponsor or nomination. The official source does not state affirmatively that employer involvement is excluded.

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Limits of the record
  • The official source does not state affirmatively that employer involvement is excluded.

What are the few decisive professional characteristics of the pathway: occupation, qualifications, experience, salary, skill level, shortage status, labour-market condition or equivalent?

The pathway is occupation-based rather than employer-based: the nominated occupation must be on the approved skilled occupation list for this stream, supported by a skills assessment; the applicant must score at least 65 points in the points test; and at the time of invitation must have at least competent English and be aged under 45.

See recorded sources

What work does the permission allow? Is the holder tied to an employer, occupation or sector? Can family accompany where clearly established?

The visa grants unrestricted permanent work and study rights across Australia, not tied to any specific employer, occupation or sector once granted. Members of the family unit may be included in the same application, subject to health and character requirements.

See recorded sources

How long is the permission normally granted for, how is it renewed, and what longer-term residence direction exists if officially stated?

The visa is granted as a permanent visa with no renewal requirement or temporary-to-permanent progression: the holder becomes a permanent resident on grant. Only the visa's travel component expires, 5 years after grant, after which the holder needs a Resident Return (RRV) visa (subclass 155 or 157) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident. If eligible, the holder may go on to become an Australian citizen.

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These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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