The Subclass 189 Visa (Skilled Independent Visa) is a Permanent Residency visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an Employer, State or Territory, or Family Member. This visa allows individuals to live and work anywhere in Australia permanently. Unlike the Subclass 190 Visa, it does not require state or territory nomination, making it an independent pathway for skilled migration.

Key Features:

1. Permanent Residency: Grants permanent residency in Australia, allowing visa holders to live, work, and study indefinitely.

2. No Sponsorship Required: Unlike other visas, the Subclass 189 visa does not require sponsorship by an employer or nomination by a state/territory government.

3. Points-Tested Visa: It is a points-based visa, and applicants must meet a minimum threshold of 65 points, with points awarded for:

   • Age: Applicants must be under 45 years of age at the time of receiving an invitation to apply.

   • English Proficiency: You must demonstrate competent English (IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent in all bands).

   • Work Experience: Points are awarded for skilled work experience in your nominated occupation.

   • Educational Qualifications: Points for your highest level of education (e.g., bachelor's degree, master's degree, etc.).

   • Other Factors: Additional points may be awarded for partner skills, Australian study, or a professional year in Australia and community language.

4. Occupation Eligibility: Your occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). You also need to have your skills assessed by a relevant skills assessment authority.

5. Family Inclusion: You can include family members (spouse/partner and dependent children) in your visa application.

6. Work and Study Rights: You can work and study anywhere in Australia without any regional restrictions.

7. Pathway to Citizenship: After fulfilling the residency and other requirements, visa holders may be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship.

Streams Under Subclass 189:

1. Points-Tested Stream: For skilled workers who meet the points test requirements and whose occupations are on the MLTSSL.

2. New Zealand Stream: For New Zealand citizens who have been living and working in Australia for a period and meet specific criteria.

Eligibility Criteria for Point-Tested Stream subclass 189:

To apply for the Subclass 189 Visa, you must:

1. Skills Assessment: You must obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation.

2. Occupation on MLTSSL: Your occupation must be listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List.

3. Points Test: Score at least 65 points based on factors as mentioned above.

4. Submit an Expression of Interest: You must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect and be Invited to Apply for the visa.

5. Health and Character Requirements: All applicants must meet health and character criteria, including undergoing medical exams and providing police certificates.

Application Process:

1. Skills Assessment: You must obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation

2. Expression of Interest (EOI): Submit an EOI through SkillSelect. Your EOI will include information about your skills, work experience, and qualifications.

3. Invitation to Apply: If your EOI is competitive enough, you will receive an invitation to apply for the visa.

4. Visa Application: Once invited, you have 60 days to lodge your visa application online, along with all required documents (e.g., skills assessment, proof of English proficiency, police checks, etc.).

5. Wait for Visa Decision: The Department of Home Affairs will process your application, and you will be notified of the outcome.

Benefits:

• Work and Study: Full rights to work and study in Australia.

• Permanent Residency: Live in Australia indefinitely.

• Travel: Travel in and out of Australia for five years from the date the visa is granted.

• Citizenship Pathway: You may apply for Australian citizenship once you meet residency and other criteria.

Subclass 189 Visa (Skilled Independent Visa)

The Subclass 190 Visa (Skilled Nominated Visa) is a Permanent Residency visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory. It is designed to help Australia meet its workforce needs by bringing in skilled workers whose occupations are in demand in specific regions.

Key Features:

1. Permanent Residency: This visa grants permanent residency in Australia, allowing holders to live and work indefinitely.

2. State/Territory Nomination: To be eligible, you must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government. Each state/territory has its own list of eligible occupations and specific requirements for nomination.

3. Points-Tested Visa: It is a points-based visa, with applicants needing to score a minimum of 65 points on the points test. Points are awarded based on:

   • Age: Applicants must be under 45 years of age at the time of receiving an invitation to apply.

   • English Proficiency: You must demonstrate competent English (IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent in all bands).

   • Work Experience: Points are awarded for skilled work experience in your nominated occupation.

   • Educational Qualifications: Points for your highest level of education (e.g., bachelor's degree, master's degree, etc.).

   • Other Factors: Additional points may be awarded for partner skills, Australian study, or a professional year in Australia.

   • State Nomination.

4. Living and Working in Nominating State: Although this is a permanent visa that allows you to live and work anywhere in Australia, you are generally expected to live and work in the state or territory that nominated you for a specified period (usually two years).

5. Family Inclusion: You can include family members, such as your spouse/partner and dependent children, in your visa application.

6. Pathway to Citizenship: After fulfilling the residency requirements, visa holders may be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship.

Eligibility Criteria:

To apply for the Subclass 190 Visa, you must:

1. Skills Assessment: You must have a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation.

2. Occupation on MLTSSL or STSOL: Your occupation must be listed either on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List or Short-term Skilled Occupation LisT.

3. State Nomination: Secure nomination from an Australian state or territory government based on their workforce needs and your occupation.

4. Be invited to apply: You must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect system and be invited to apply by a state/territory government.

5. Points Test: Score at least 65 points on the points test based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and English proficiency.

6. Age: You must be under 45 years old at the time of receiving the invitation to apply.

7. English Proficiency: You need to demonstrate a level of English proficiency, typically at least "Competent English" (equivalent to IELTS 6.0 or higher in all bands).

8. Health and Character Requirements: All applicants must meet health and character criteria, including undergoing medical exams and providing police certificates.

Application Process:

1. Skills Assessment: You must obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation

2. State Nomination: Apply for nomination from a state or territory government that has demand for your occupation. If successful, the state will nominate you. Currently this process is also invitation only for most of the states which means applicant needs to submit a ROI (Registration of Interest) along with EOI in skill select to the state he/she is interested & eligible to apply for nomination.

3. Expression of Interest (EOI): Submit an EOI through SkillSelect, detailing your qualifications, work experience, and points claims.

4. Invitation to Apply: Once nominated, you will receive an invitation to apply for the visa.

5. Apply for the Visa: Submit your visa application within 60 days of receiving the invitation, including all required documents (e.g., skills assessment, proof of English proficiency).

6. Wait for Visa Outcome: Once submitted, the Department of Home Affairs will process your visa application.

Benefits:

• Work and Study: Unrestricted work and study rights in Australia.

• Permanent Residency: Live in Australia indefinitely.

Subclass 190 Visa (Skilled Nominated Visa)

The Subclass 491 Visa (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa) is a temporary visa that allows skilled workers and their families to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years. It is aimed at addressing Labor shortages in regional areas by encouraging skilled migrants to settle outside major metropolitan areas like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. This visa also provides a pathway to permanent residency.

Key Features:

1. Temporary Visa: It is a 5-year visa that requires you to live and work in regional Australia.

2. Pathway to Permanent Residency: After living and working in a regional area for 3 years and meeting income requirements, you can apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Visa (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)).

3. Points-Tested: This visa is points-based, requiring a minimum of 65 points based on factors like age, work experience, education, and English proficiency.

4. Nomination or Sponsorship: You need to be nominated by an Australian state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member who lives in a designated regional area (have different requirement than state nomination requirement).

5. Regional Requirement: You must live, work, and study in a designated regional area for the duration of the visa. There is a list of postcodes for designated regional area.

6. Work and Study Rights: You are allowed to work and study in regional areas of Australia, but you cannot work in major metropolitan areas.

7. Family Inclusion: You can include family members (spouse/partner and dependent children) in your application, and they can also live, work, and study in regional areas.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Skills Assessment: You must have a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation.

2. Occupation on Skilled List: Your occupation must be listed on the relevant skilled occupation list for the 491 visas.

3. Nomination or Sponsorship: You need to be nominated by an Australian state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member who lives in a designated regional area.

4. Expression of Interest (EOI): You must submit an EOI through the SkillSelect system and be invited to apply for the visa.

5. Points Test: You need to score at least 65 points based on factors such as:

   • Age: Must be under 45 years old at the time of invitation.

   • English Proficiency: You must demonstrate competent English (IELTS 6.0 in all bands or equivalent).

   • Work Experience: Skilled work experience in your nominated occupation.

   • Education: Points for educational qualifications, including degrees or diplomas.

   • Nomination/Sponsorship: Additional points are awarded if you are nominated by a state/territory government or sponsored by a family member living in a regional area.

6. Health and Character: You must meet health and character requirements, including undergoing medical checks and providing police certificates.

Application Process:

1. Skills Assessment: You must obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation

1. State Nomination/Family Sponsorship: Apply for nomination by a state or territory government or be sponsored by an eligible family member living in a regional area. Currently this process is also invitation only for most of the states which means applicant needs to submit a ROI (Registration of Interest) along with EOI in skill select to the state he/she is interested & eligible to apply for nomination.

2. Submit EOI: Submit an Expression of Interest through the SkillSelect system, providing details of your skills, experience, and qualifications.

3. Receive Invitation to Apply: If your EOI is competitive, you will receive an invitation to apply for the visa.

4. Apply for the Visa: Once invited, you have 60 days to submit your visa application online, along with the required documents (e.g., skills assessment, proof of English proficiency, police checks).

5. Visa Decision: The Department of Home Affairs will process your application, and you will be notified of the outcome.

Benefits:

• Work and Study: You can live, work, and study in regional areas.

• Pathway to Permanent Residency: After 3 years in a regional area and meeting income requirements, you can apply for permanent residency under the Subclass 191 Visa.

• Family Sponsorship: Eligible family members can live and work in regional areas with you.

Conditions:

• Living in Regional Areas: You must live, work, and study in a designated regional area for the duration of the visa.

• Income Threshold: To apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa,

Pathway to Permanent Residency:

After holding the Subclass 491 Visa for at least 3 years, and meeting the income and residency requirements, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Visa.

The Subclass 491 Visa (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa)

This visa allows individuals aged 18 to 30 to visit Australia for up to 12 months, offering the flexibility to work, study, and explore. Whether funding your travels through part-time work or taking short courses to build skills, this visa unlocks countless opportunities

Provides young adults with the flexibility to combine travel with opportunities to work and develop new skills

Key Features:

Eligibility Criteria:

Application Process:

Benefits:

Conditions:

Work & Holiday visa subclass 462