Skilled Independent & State Nominated (subclass 189/190) — Visa2AU
Points-tested permanent residency — no sponsor needed. Category: Skilled.
The 189 (independent) and 190 (state-nominated) are points-tested permanent visas for skilled workers with occupations in demand. Success depends on your points score, occupation ceilings and, for 190, state nomination strategy.
At a glance
- Government charge: From AUD 4,910 (main applicant)
- Indicative professional fee: $5,500 AUD (Skills assessment and EOI strategy quoted separately)
- Typical processing: 6–12 months after invitation
Eligibility
- Occupation on the MLTSSL (189) or state lists (190)
- Positive skills assessment from the relevant authority
- At least 65 points (competitive scores are often higher)
- Under 45 at invitation
- Competent English (IELTS 6.0) — superior English adds points
Key documents
- Skills assessment (VETASSESS, TRA, Engineers Australia, ACS etc.)
- English test results
- Qualification and employment evidence for points claims
- EOI via SkillSelect (+ state ROI for 190)
- Identity, health and character documents
Frequently asked questions
How many points do I really need for a 189?
65 is the legal minimum, but invitation rounds are competitive — popular occupations often need 85–95+. State nomination (190) adds 5 points and, crucially, a separate invitation channel.
189 or 190 — which should I target?
Run both in parallel where possible. The 190 adds points and invitation opportunities but carries a two-year state commitment. We model your score against recent invitation data before advising.
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Source: https://visa2.au/visas/skilled-independent-189-190 · Visa2AU — MARN-registered migration agents (MARN 0534230, 2418663), North Sydney, Australia.