Skilled Independent (subclass 189)

This is a permanent residency visa allowing the holder to live and work anywhere in Australia and stay permanently.

• The applicant does not require to be nominated by a state/territory government agency or sponsored by an employer.

• There are two streams for this visa, Points-tested stream and New Zealand stream.

• The New Zealand stream applicant must be a New Zealand citizen holding a subclass 444 visa and living in Australia for the last 5 years.

• The primary Points-tested stream applicant must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect for an invitation to apply for the visa.

• At the time of invitation, the applicant:

  • must be under 45 years old

  • have nominated a skilled occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

  • have a positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation

  • have at least Competent English (equivalent to IELTS minimum of 6 in each category) or is the holder of a passport from United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, United States, Canada, or New Zealand

Skilled Nominated (subclass 190)

This is a permanent residency visa allowing the holders to live and work in Australia and stay permanently.

• The applicant must be nominated by a state/territory government agency.

• This is a Points-tested visa.

• The primary applicant must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect for an invitation to apply for the visa.

• At the time of invitation, the applicant:

  • must be under 45 years old

  • have nominated a skilled occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)

  • have a positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation

  • have at least Competent English (equivalent to IELTS minimum of 6 in each category) or is the holder of a passport from United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, United States, Canada, or New Zealand

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491)

This is a temporary visa allowing the holder to live, work and study in designated regional area of Australia for 5 years. There is a pathway to the new Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) subclass 191 visa after 3 years in designated regional area, if eligible.

• This is a Points-tested visa.

• The primary applicant must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect for an invitation to apply for the visa.

• The applicant must be either:

  • nominated by a state/territory government agency; or

  • sponsored by an eligible relative who is usually resident in a designated regional area

• At the time of invitation, the applicant:

  • must be under 45 years old

  • for the State/Territory Nominated stream - nominated a skilled occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), or Regional Occupation List (ROL)

  • for the Family Sponsored stream - nominated a skilled occupation on the MLTSSL

  • have a positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation

  • have at least Competent English (equivalent to IELTS minimum of 6 in each category) or is the holder of a passport from United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, United States, Canada, or New Zealand

• Holders including family members must live, work and study in designated regional area for at least 3 years before eligible to apply for other permanent residency visas including the new Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) subclass 191 visa.