Skilled IndependentVisa (Subclass 189)

The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is a visa category specifically designed for skilled workers who wish to live and work in Australia on a permanent basis. The Subclass 189 visa is for people who have skills or qualifications that Australia really needs, without needing someone to sponsor them like an employer or family member. This visa allows holders to establish themselves in the country without the need for external sponsorship, providing them with the freedom to work in any occupation of their choice.

To be eligible for the Subclass 189 visa, applicants must fulfill certain requirements. These include having an occupation that is listed on the eligible skilled occupation list, meeting the points test threshold, and receiving an invitation to apply through the Skill Select system. Once granted, this visa offers permanent residency status to the holder, enabling them to reside in Australia indefinitely. This means that visa holders can work, study, access healthcare services through Medicare, and even sponsor eligible family members for permanent residency.

The Subclass 189 visa is a popular choice among skilled workers looking to make Australia their home. It provides a pathway to permanent residency for individuals with in-demand skills, allowing them to contribute to the Australian economy and society in the long term. By offering holders the flexibility to work in any occupation, study, and access essential services, this visa category supports skilled migration to Australia and helps address the country's labor market needs. Overall, the Subclass 189 visa is a valuable option for skilled individuals seeking to build a future in Australia.

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Step-by-Step Application Process for Subclass 189 Visa

Start your journey to Australia through the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is an exciting step towards a new chapter in your life. To make the application process seamless, we've simplified it into easy-to-follow steps.

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Access Your Eligibility

Before diving into the application process, it's crucial to determine if you meet the eligibility criteria. Assess factors such as age, skills, education, and English proficiency. Our team at Immigration Pointer can assist in this initial evaluation, ensuring you're on the right track.

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Gather Essential Document

Prepare a comprehensive set of documents to support your visa application. This includes academic transcripts, work experience certificates, English language test results, and other relevant proofs. Organizing these documents upfront ensures a smoother application process.

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Expression of Interest Submission

Create an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Skill Select system. Highlight your skills, qualifications, and experience. Maximizing your points in the EOI can enhance your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for the Subclass 189 Visa.

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Receive Invitation to Apply (ITA)

Upon a successful EOI submission, you may receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from the Department of Home Affairs. This formal invitation indicates that you can proceed with the Subclass 189 Visa application.

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Lodge Your Visa Application

Once you receive the ITA, it's time to lodge your visa application. Carefully complete the application form, attach the required documents, and pay the relevant fees. Our team ensures that your application is accurate and meets all requirements.

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Health and Character Assessments

Undergo mandatory health examinations and provide character clearance as part of the visa application process. These assessments are critical to ensuring you meet Australia's health and character standards.

Key Benefits of Skilled Independent Visa

The Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) offers several benefits to skilled workers who wish to live and work in Australia permanently. Some of the key benefits include: Individuals aspiring to migrate under the general skilled migration (GSM) program, must navigate through a sequence of procedures to meet the necessary standards and criteria.

  • Permanent Residency: The subclass 189 visa is a permanent residency visa, allowing holders and their eligible family members to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely.
  • No Sponsorship Required: Unlike other skilled visas that require sponsorship from an employer, state, or family member, the subclass 189 visa does not require any sponsorship.
  • Work and Study Rights: Visa holders have the right to work and study in Australia without any restrictions.
  • Access to Healthcare: Visa holders are eligible for Medicare, Australia's publicly funded healthcare system, which provides access to a range of health services at little or no cost.
  • Social Security Benefits: Visa holders may be eligible to receive social security benefits, such as unemployment benefits and family assistance payments, subject to meeting certain criteria.
  • Pathway to Citizenship: After holding the subclass 189 visa for a specified period and meeting residency requirements, visa holders can apply for Australian citizenship.
  • Travel Rights: Visa holders can travel in and out of Australia freely for up to five years from the visa grant date. After this period, they can apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to maintain their travel rights.
  • Family Sponsorship: Visa holders can sponsor eligible family members for permanent residency in Australia.
  • Access to Education: Visa holders and their eligible family members have access to Australia's education system, including schools, vocational education, and universities.
  • Quality of Life:Australia offers a high quality of life, with a strong economy, diverse culture, and beautiful natural landscapes.

It's important to note that the benefits of the subclass 189 visa may vary depending on individual circumstances and changes in immigration laws and policies.

Unveiling the Importance of the Skilled Independent Visa

  • The Skilled Independent Visa is a unique opportunity for skilled workers looking to live and work in Australia without the need for sponsorship. This visa provides the flexibility to choose where to settle in Australia, allowing individuals to experience the diverse landscapes and cultures that the country has to offer.
  • A key benefit of the Skilled Independent Visa is the ability to bring family members along, ensuring that individuals can create a new life in Australia while keeping their loved ones close. This also means that children can access top-notch education and healthcare services, setting them up for a bright future in a new environment.
  • Holding a Skilled Independent Visa can pave the way for permanent residency in Australia, providing access to a range of social security benefits, healthcare services, and the opportunity to apply for Australian citizenship down the line. This visa truly opens a world of possibilities for skilled professionals seeking a long-term future in Australia.
  • Australia's demand for skilled workers in various sectors presents a unique opportunity for individuals holding a Skilled Independent Visa. By contributing their skills to the Australian economy, visa holders not only fulfill their dream of living in Australia but also play a vital role in the country's growth and development.
  • Beyond work opportunities, Australia offers a high standard of living, a vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes that make it an attractive destination for skilled professionals. Securing a Skilled Independent Visa means embarking on an exciting adventure in a country known for its quality of life and endless opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • In conclusion, the Skilled Independent Visa Australia is a gateway to a brighter future filled with endless possibilities. This visa is a significant and highly sought-after option for skilled professionals worldwide, offering a chance to build a successful career and a fulfilling life in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

What You Need to Apply for the Skilled Independent Visa in Australia?

Moving to Australia and obtaining the Skilled Independent Visa is a process that requires careful consideration and adherence to specific requirements. Firstly, it is crucial to determine if your occupation is listed on Australia's Skilled Occupation List (SOL), which encompasses various professions such as engineers, nurses, and IT specialists. If your occupation is on the list, you are off to a promising start. Following this, you will need to undergo a skills assessment to demonstrate that your qualifications and work experience align with Australian standards for your specific occupation. It is important to note that each profession has its own assessing authority, so it is essential to identify the relevant authority for your job. Additionally, meeting age requirements is essential, as applicants must generally be under 45 years old when applying for the visa. Demonstrating English proficiency is another crucial factor, which can be achieved by taking an approved test like the IELTS or PTE Academic. Furthermore, applicants must score a minimum number of points on Australia's points-based immigration system, which considers factors such as age, English proficiency, work experience, education, and other criteria. Finally, submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the online Skill Select system is necessary, and if invited to apply, you can proceed with submitting your visa application. In conclusion, the process of applying for the Skilled Independent Visa in Australia involves several steps, including checking occupation eligibility, undergoing a skills assessment, meeting age and English requirements, scoring sufficient points, and submitting an Expression of Interest. By fulfilling all the necessary criteria, you can embark on a new chapter of your life in Australia.

Skilled Independent Visa Categories

Under the Skilled Independent Visa, there are several categories that you can fall into

serves as a critical component in Australia's skilled migration framework. It comprises occupations that are deemed in high demand across various sectors of the Australian economy. The list is regularly updated to reflect changes in labor market needs and priorities.

Individuals aspiring to migrate under the SOL category must possess qualifications and work experience relevant to occupations listed on the SOL. These occupations typically span a wide range of fields, including engineering, healthcare, IT, trades, and education, among others. Prospective migrants must undergo skills assessment by relevant assessing authorities to ensure their qualifications align with Australian standards.

Once deemed eligible, applicants can proceed to lodge their Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Skill Select system, where they showcase their skills, qualifications, and other relevant details. If invited, they can then apply for the Subclass 189 visa, which is a permanent residency visa that does not require sponsorship from employers, state/territory governments, or family members.

The Points-Tested Category provides a pathway for skilled individuals who may not directly qualify under the SOL category but possess desirable attributes that contribute to Australia's economy and society. Applicants under this category are evaluated based on a points-based system, wherein points are awarded for factors such as age, English language proficiency, educational qualifications, work experience, and other relevant criteria.

To be eligible, applicants must score a minimum number of points as specified by the Department of Home Affairs. Factors such as age and English proficiency typically carry significant weight in the points assessment. Additionally, individuals may gain additional points for completing recognized Australian qualifications, obtaining relevant work experience in Australia, or securing a nomination from a state or territory government.

Once applicants achieve the required points threshold, they can submit their EOI through Skill Select. If their profile is selected from the pool of candidates, they may receive an invitation to apply for a skilled visa, such as the Subclass 189 or Subclass 190 (State/Territory Nominated) visa.

The Expression of Interest (EOI) Category serves as the initial step for skilled migrants to signal their interest in applying for a skilled visa. Through the Skill Select online platform, individuals provide detailed information about their skills, qualifications, work experience, language proficiency, and other relevant factors.

Submitting an EOI does not equate to a visa application but rather places the applicant into a pool of candidates from which the Australian government can select potential migrants based on the needs of the labor market and other priorities. It's essential for applicants to ensure that the information provided in their EOI is accurate and up to date, as discrepancies could affect their eligibility for invitation.

Once lodged, EOIs remain valid for a specified period, during which applicants may update their profiles as necessary. Invitations to apply for skilled visas are issued periodically based on the points-based ranking of candidates in the pool. Therefore, maintaining a competitive EOI profile with a high points score increases the likelihood of receiving an invitation to apply for a skilled visa.

The Graduate Temporary Visa (Subclass 485) provides an avenue for international students who have recently graduated from Australian universities to gain valuable work experience in their field of study. This visa has two streams: the Graduate Work Stream and the Post-Study Work Stream.

Under the Graduate Work Stream, graduates with qualifications and skills closely related to occupations on the SOL may be eligible to apply for a visa valid for up to 18 months (about 1 and a half years). This allows them to gain practical work experience in Australia and enhance their prospects of qualifying for permanent residency through skilled migration pathways like the Subclass 189 visa.

On the other hand, the Post-Study Work Stream caters to graduates with higher education qualifications obtained from Australian institutions. Depending on the level of their qualification, graduates may be granted a visa valid for two to four years. This stream provides an opportunity for recent graduates to gain extended work experience in Australia, which may contribute towards their eligibility for skilled migration visas in the future.

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FAQ's Skilled Independent Visa

The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is a type of visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia permanently without needing sponsorship from an employer, state or territory government, or family member.

To be eligible for the Subclass 189 Visa, applicants must meet specific criteria including having an eligible occupation, meeting the points test requirement, and being invited to apply through the Skill Select system.

Some key benefits of the Subclass 189 Visa include permanent residency status, the ability to work and study in Australia without restrictions, access to healthcare through Medicare, and eligibility to sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residency.

The application process includes steps such as assessing eligibility, gathering essential documents, submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) through Skill Select, receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA), lodging the visa application, undergoing health and character assessments, and awaiting a decision from the Department of Home Affairs.

The processing time for the Subclass 189 Visa can vary depending on individual circumstances and the current workload of the Department of Home Affairs. It's essential to remain patient during this period.

If your visa application is refused, you may have options for review or appeal depending on the circumstances of your case. It's essential to seek advice from a migration agent or legal professional in such situations.