Top 5 Steps to Secure Your Skilled Independent Visa [2025–2026 Guide]

TL;DR
The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is a permanent residency visa for points-tested workers who are not sponsored by an employer, state, or family member. It requires a valid skills assessment, a score of at least 65 points on the Australian points grid, and an invitation to apply from the Department of Home Affairs.

If you are a skilled professional who wants to live and work anywhere in Australia without employer or state sponsorship, the subclass 189 visa is likely your best path to permanent residency. But with invitation rounds becoming increasingly competitive, you need more than just the minimum points—you need a strategy.

This guide breaks down the eligibility criteria, the EOI threshold for 2025–2026, and the exact steps to maximise your score.

What is the Subclass 189 vs 190 Visa?

The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is for workers who want to live and work anywhere in Australia without any sponsorship. Unlike the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) , you do not need a state or territory nomination, and you do not need to commit to living in a specific state.

• Subclass 189: No state nomination required. You have full geographic freedom.
• Subclass 190: Requires state nomination. You must live and work in the nominating state for at least two years.
• Subclass 491: A provisional visa that requires you to live and work in a regional area for 3 years before you can apply for PR.

The key advantage of the 189 visa is that once granted, you are not required to stay in one location or work for a specific employer.

What is the Points Threshold for Skilled Independent Visa 2025?

According to the Department of Home Affairs’ official Skilled Visa page, you must score a minimum of 65 points on the Australian points grid to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). However, the actual invitation threshold for the 2025–2026 program year is significantly higher.

Current reality:

• The minimum to submit an EOI: 65 points.
• The realistic minimum to be invited for most occupations: 85–95 points.
• The competitive range for high-demand occupations (e.g., engineers, IT managers, accountants): 95–100+ points.

If you are sitting at 65–70 points, you need a strategy to boost your score immediately. Use the NovenaAI EOI Points Calculator to find your exact gaps before submitting your EOI:

Calculate your EOI Points →

How Do I Get Invited for the 189 Visa?

Getting invited for the subclass 189 visa follows a strict step-by-step process. There is no way to skip the queue.

1. Skills Assessment: You must have your skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority for your occupation.
2. English Test: You need a valid English language test result (IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL).
3. Submit an EOI: You lodge your Expression of Interest in SkillSelect.
4. Wait for an Invitation: The government issues invitations periodically based on points rank.
5. Lodge your Visa Application: Once you receive an invitation, you have 60 days to lodge your full application.

Key success factor: Your points score is everything. Invitations are issued strictly in order of points ranking. If you have 90 points and the cut-off is 85, you are safe. If you have 85 points and the cut-off is 85, you only get invited if your EOI was submitted hours before other people with the same score.

According to the Australian Computer Society (ACS) and Engineering Australia (EA), most successful applicants for ICT and engineering roles are currently scoring between 90 and 105 points.

How Can I Maximise My Points Score?

To reach the competitive 85–100 point range, you need to optimise every category.

• Age (25–32): Maximum points – 30.
• English Proficiency:
  • Competent English (IELTS 6.0): 0 points.
  • Proficient English (IELTS 7.0): 10 points.
  • Superior English (IELTS 8.0): 20 points.
• Work Experience: The longer you work outside Australia (or inside Australia), the more points you earn.
• Qualifications: A PhD or Doctorate gives you 20 points.
• Partner Skills: If your partner is under 45, competent in English, and has a positive skills assessment, you get an additional 10 points.
• Professional Year: Completing a Professional Year in Australia adds 5 points.

Important: Most candidates miss that Superior English (IELTS 8.0) can add a massive 20 points to your score. Moving from competent to superior English is often the fastest way to add 20 points without waiting for more work experience.

Check your current English level against the required scores here:

Take the English Level Guide →

What Occupations Are on the Skilled Occupation List 2025?

The subclass 189 visa is only available for occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) .

Currently high-demand occupations (2025):

• ICT Project Manager (135112)
• Software Engineer (261313)
• Mechanical Engineer (233512)
• Registered Nurse (254412)
• Accountant (General) (221111)

The full list is published by the Department of Home Affairs. If your occupation is not on the MLTSSL, you cannot apply for the 189 visa. You would need to look at the Skilled Nominated visa (190) or the Skilled Work Regional visa (491) .

To see your exact occupation code and points ranking, use the NovenaAI Visa Success Predictor:

Check your Visa Success Predictor →

Will the 189 Visa Change in 2025–2026?

The program year for 2025–2026 will see minor adjustments rather than radical restructuring. Key known updates:

• Occupation lists are reviewed annually and may change.
• Points test changes are being discussed, but no legislative changes have been confirmed yet.
• Invitation rounds may become more frequent or less frequent depending on migration caps.

NovenAI’s insight: The Treasurer is under pressure to attract high-skilled workers to address critical skills shortages. This typically means that occupations like Registered Nurses, ICT Security Specialists, and Civil Engineers will remain on the priority list.

You can stay ahead of these changes with:

• NovenAI’s instant policy alerts that notify you of shifts in occupation lists and points thresholds.
• A 24/7 AI migration mentor that answers your specific questions about document preparation and EOI strategy, reducing reliance on expensive migration lawyers (starting at US $39/month).

Conclusion

The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is the golden ticket to Australian permanent residency—no sponsorship, no state bonds, and full geographic freedom. But the competition is real. If you are sitting at 65–70 points, you need to boost your English score, secure a positive skills assessment, and optimise your EOI strategy.

The fastest way to do that is to use a free points calculator to find your gaps and then get your English score up (Superior English = 20 points).

Start your journey today with a free points assessment:

Apply with NovenAI →