Top 10 Things You Must Know About the 189 Visa [2025-2026 Guide]
TL;DR: The 189 Skilled Independent Visa is a permanent residency pathway for skilled workers who don’t need employer or state sponsorship. You must score at least 65 points, have a positive skills assessment, be invited to apply, and meet health and character requirements—all without any sponsorship obligations. It’s Australia’s most competitive visa but also the most liberating.
What is the 189 Visa and How Does It Work?
The 189 visa is a points-based permanent residency visa for skilled workers not sponsored by an employer or state government. It’s often called the “independent” visa because you manage the entire process yourself.
How it works:
- You submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect
- The Department of Home Affairs issues invitations based on your points score and occupation demand
- After invitation, you apply for the visa itself
- Once granted, you can live, work, and study anywhere in Australia permanently
According to the Department of Home Affairs’ official Skilled Visa page, invitation rounds run monthly, with minimum points thresholds varying by occupation and demand.
Key stats: In the 2024–2025 program year, the 189 visa allocation was approximately 16,900 places—roughly 10% of Australia’s total skilled migration program.
How Do I Check My 189 Visa Points Score?
Your points score determines everything—from whether you get invited to how quickly you receive an invitation. You need a minimum of 65 points to lodge an EOI, but the actual “invitation minimum” is often much higher (typically 80–95 points for most occupations).
Points breakdown:
| Factor | Maximum Points |
|---|---|
| Age (25–32) | 30 |
| English ability (Superior) | 20 |
| Skilled employment overseas (8+ years) | 15 |
| Skilled employment in Australia (4+ years) | 15 |
| Educational qualification (Doctorate) | 20 |
| Specialist education (STEM) | 10 |
| Australian study requirement | 5 |
| Professional year | 5 |
| Partner skills | 10 |
| CLLS/NAATI credential | 5 |
| Regional study | 5 |
Practical tip: Use the NovenAI PR Points Calculator to instantly determine your exact points score—it’s free, updated with the latest Immigration Department data, and saves hours of manual calculation.
Check your points now with NovenAI →
Which Occupations Are Eligible for the 189 Visa?
Not every job qualifies. The 189 visa requires your occupation to be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) . This list includes around 200+ occupations across fields like healthcare, engineering, IT, trade, and education.
Common eligible occupations:
- Software Engineer (ANZSCO 261313)
- Registered Nurse (various specialisations)
- Accountant (General) (ANZSCO 221111)
- Civil Engineer (ANZSCO 233211)
- Electrician (ANZSCO 341111)
- Carpenter (ANZSCO 331212)
- Secondary School Teacher (ANZSCO 241411)
Important: Each occupation has a corresponding skills assessment authority—for example, Engineers Australia for engineers, ACS for IT professionals. You must get a positive assessment before submitting your EOI.
Track your occupation tier and invitation ceiling
Track NowHow Long Does the 189 Visa Take to Process?
Processing times for the 189 visa vary but have improved significantly in 2024–2025. Based on current Home Affairs data:
- 50% of applications: processed within 7 months
- 90% of applications: processed within 12 months
Factors that impact processing speed:
- Completeness of your application (missing documents cause delays)
- Health and character checks
- Home Affairs workload in your occupation stream
- Whether you’ve lodged a valid skills assessment
What you can do: Use NovenAI’s Visa Success Predictor to identify potential delays in your application before you submit—it scans for common error patterns across thousands of past cases.
What’s the Difference Between 189 and 190 Visas?
This is one of the most common questions we get from skilled migrants. Here’s a clear comparison:
| Feature | 189 Visa | 190 Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship needed | No | Yes (state/territory) |
| Points for nomination | 0 | 5 |
| Occupation list | MLTSSL only | MLTSSL + STSOL + state lists |
| Mobility restriction | None | Live 2 years in sponsoring state |
| Invitation score (typical) | 85–95 | 75–85 |
Which is better? The 189 is less restrictive but harder to get. The 190 gives you extra 5 points and a wider occupation list, but you must live in the sponsoring state for two years.
Can I Include Family Members in My 189 Visa Application?
Yes—your 189 visa application can include:
- Your spouse or de facto partner
- Dependent children under 18 (or 18–23 if financially dependent)
Partner skills boost: If your partner has English proficiency (Competent level or above) and a positive skills assessment, you can claim up to 10 additional points.
Track state ROI requirements for 26-27
Track NowNovenAI can help: Our system evaluates your partner’s skills and English level to calculate the maximum points you can achieve as a couple—a feature most generic calculators miss.
What Happens After I Get My 189 Visa?
Once your 189 visa is granted, you become an Australian permanent resident with full rights to:
- Live and work anywhere in Australia
- Study at Australian universities (domestic fees)
- Access Medicare (public healthcare)
- Sponsor eligible family members
- Apply for Australian citizenship after 4 years
Obligations: You must enter Australia within 12 months of visa grant and maintain valid travel permission (a Resident Return Visa) if you leave.
What Are Common 189 Visa Rejection Reasons?
Understanding why applications fail helps you avoid the same mistakes. Top reasons:
- Insufficient points (invitations go to higher scorers)
- Incorrect skills assessment (wrong occupation code or incomplete)
- Incomplete documentation (missing police checks, health assessments)
- Character issues (undisclosed criminal history)
- False or misleading information (even unintentional errors)
Proactive solution: NovenAI’s AI migration mentor (US $39/month) cross-checks your entire application against 18 GB+ of Home Affairs data—flagging 95% of common errors before you submit.
Is the 189 Visa Worth It in 2025–2026?
Despite increasing competition, the 189 visa remains the gold standard for skilled migrants who want complete freedom to choose where to live and work in Australia. The key is to:
- Maximise your points (especially English, experience, and partner skills)
- Choose an occupation in genuine demand (healthcare and trades are booming)
- Submit a carefully prepared application
Final thought: Don’t let the high points threshold scare you. With the right strategy—and tools like NovenAI to guide every step—the 189 visa is absolutely achievable. Many of our users have gone from 75 to 95 points just by optimising their English test and partner skills.
Your Next Step
The 189 visa journey starts with one number: your current points score. Don’t guess—calculate exactly where you stand with NovenAI’s free PR Points Calculator, then use our Visa Success Predictor to see your genuine invitation chances.
Your Australian dream is closer than you think. Start today.
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