Skilled Independent Visa

Skilled Independent Visa – Points Tested Stream

The Skilled Independent visa is a visa stream designed to attract invited workers with specific skills needed by the wider Australian community. If you fulfill the requirements, you are able to live, work, and study permanently anywhere in Australia. The subclass 189 visa is points-tested based on specific work skills. If the visa is granted, invited residents benefit from many of the same rights as Australian citizens. 

Visa Benefits & Duration 

 The Skilled Independent visa comes with a number of associated rights and responsibilities. With this visa, you can stay in Australia permanently, work and study in Australia, and enroll in the Medicare public health care system. Medicare and related programs are designed to provide eligible people with access to some health services at low or no cost. 

If the Skilled Independent subclass 189 visa is granted, you can sponsor your relatives to come to Australia, travel to and from the country for 5 years, and become an Australian citizen if you meet eligibility requirements. However, as a newly arrived resident and visa holder, you may have to wait to access certain Australian Government payments and benefits. 

The Skilled Independent visa is a permanent resident visa, which means you can stay in the country on an indefinite basis. While the travel component of the visa expires after 5 years, a Resident Return visa (subclass 155 or 157) can be obtained to re-enter Australia after this time. The subclass 189 visa can be granted within Australia and can also be used to enter Australia. You become a permanent resident for legal purposes the day you receive a Skilled Independent visa. 

Including Family Members in your Application

The Skilled Independent visa has a popular family component that allows members of the family unit to be included in the application. Under Australian law, a person is considered a member of your family unit if they are a spouse or de facto partner, dependent child or stepchild, or dependent grandchild or step-grandchild of a dependent child or stepchild. 

You can include eligible family member when you lodge your visa application or add them after you lodge your application if a decision has not yet been made. All family members must meet Australian health and character requirements. If you have a partner or dependent child who is not included in the application, you must explain why. 

Visa Cost 

The current cost of a subclass 189 visa is AUD$4,045. This price only includes the main applicant, with additional fees needed for each family member listed on the application. There is a Visa Pricing Estimator available from the Home Affairs website. The current cost for a family member over 18 years of age is AUD$2,020, with the current cost for someone under 18 years of age being AUD$1,015. 

In addition, an extra charge may be applied for any applicants over 18 years of age who have less than functional English language skills. This fee is charged in a second instalment and only applicable when the visa is successful. The second instalment charge for all family members over 18 is AUD$4,885. Along with these known costs, additional charges may be needed for health checks, police certificates, and biometrics. 

Visa Processing Time 

You can apply for the Skilled Independent visa whether or not you live in Australia. Processing times can vary considerably due to individual circumstances, and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Timing is dependent on the completeness of the application and supporting documents, requests for additional documents or information, and how long it takes to perform any necessary checks. 

Visa Eligibility Requirements 

The subclass 189 visa is a points-tested stream, with specific requirements needed to meet the eligibility criteria. Along with being invited to apply and meeting the skills threshold, there are numerous age, language, health, and character requirements: 

• Be invited to apply 
• Your occupation must be on skilled occupation list
• Undergo a suitable skills assessment
• Be aged under 45 when invited 
• Score 65 points or more 
• Have a competent level of English 
• Meet the skills requirement 
• Meet the health requirement 
• Meet the character requirement 
• No outstanding Government debt 
• Sign the Australian values statement 
• No previous visas cancelled, or applications refused 

How to Apply for a Skilled Independent Visa (Points Tested Stream)

In order to apply for a Skilled Independent visa, it’s important to go through the comprehensive application process in detail. The outcome of the visa application and the time it takes to process depends on the accuracy of the information provided. 

• Before you apply, you must submit an expression of interest through Skill Select 
• Gather all relevant documents 
• Apply for the visa online 
• Receive notifications and instructions for additional documentation if needed 
• Receive the official outcome of the visa in writing