Skilled Independent Visa 189 – A Great Opportunity To Get Permanent Residency

The Australian Department of Home Affairs has designed the Skilled Migration Program under which international skilled workers can apply for skilled work visas and move to Australia. Most of the skilled work visas are permanent residence visas, which allow the holders to stay and work permanently in Australia and make them eligible to enjoy other benefits.

One such skilled work visa is the Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189, which involves less difficulty with the application. Therefore, if you are highly skilled in an occupation with high demands in Australia, you can apply for this visa. Go through this blog to know the essential details before making the application.

What Is A Skilled Independent Visa?

This visa is the perfect option for an international individual who has the necessary skills in an occupation on the Australian’s Government skilled occupations’ list. Besides letting you live permanently in Australia, this visa will help you bring your family members and relatives to Australia. You will be happy to hear that you will not require any sponsorship by any state or territory government agency or employer. Having relevant skills will easily make you eligible.

This visa is based on invitation. It means applicants who the Australian Government invites are only allowed to apply. Once you receive your visa, you will be able to:

• Stay, study, and work in Australia permanently
• Enrol in Medicare, the public health care scheme of Australia
• Sponsor visa applications of other relatives who want to come to Australia
• Travel abroad and return to Australia as many times as possible in the next five years from receiving your visa

When you bring your family members to Australia with the help of this visa, they can also work, study, and travel like you. Not only that, but they can also access Medicare privileges.

What Are The Two Streams Under This Visa?

The Points-tested Stream and the New Zealand Stream are the two streams under this visa, which aim to provide applicants from other countries and New Zealand the chance to stay and work in Australia permanently.

Points-tested Stream

The Points-tested Stream is for applicants from countries except for New Zealand. You must first submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) for this visa addressing your occupation, skills, and academic qualifications. The authority will award you points against different parameters and will rank you against other migrants.

To be eligible for this stream, you have to fulfil the following requirements.

• Your age should be under 45 years.
• You should have skills in an occupation listed on the relevant skilled occupations list.
• For the nominated occupation, you have to complete a skills assessment. 
• After submitting your EOI, you should be invited by the Government to apply for a visa.
• The Australian Government is strict about public health. Therefore, you will need to mention in your application if you have a health condition that requires constant medical support from the community or the government.
• Your application should also mention whether you have been diagnosed with any contagious disease like tuberculosis.
• For the Points-tested Stream, you must achieve the minimum required score in the Immigration Department’s points test.

Currently, the minimum required score is 65 points. While calculating the points, factors like your age, academic qualification, English language skills, work experience will be considered. If your score is much higher than the average and slots are left in the occupation category, the Department will select you.

New Zealand Stream

This stream is exclusively for New Zealand citizens who can apply for it without any points test. The eligibility criteria for the New Zealand Stream are a little different from those for the
Points-tested Stream. 

• You have to be a New Zealand citizen and hold the Visa Subclass 444. 
• Should have lived in Australia for the last five years, and the staying period should be from at least 20 February 2016. 
• Must show that you have made significant contributions to the Australian workspace.
• Related to your living and working in Australia, you should satisfy relevant taxable income requirements.
• You have to meet specific character requirements.
• For this stream also, you have to mention in your application whether you have any health condition that requires constant support from the community or the government.
• If you have contracted any contagious disease like TB, that information should also be stated in the application.

Moving to Australia from New Zealand is relatively easier. Because the two countries have the TTTA (Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement), the New Zealand Stream eligibility requirements are much less than the Points-tested Stream. 

How Does The Selection Work?

For the Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa, the application can be made from inside or outside Australia. It involves a two-step process, where you will first submit an EOI and then apply after receiving the invitation. Remember that you will be invited to apply only when your EOI satisfies the points score requirement.

The visa program is based on the required number of individuals in specific occupations. For example, 1000 music professionals, 1000 child care centre managers, and 7145 construction workers were required in the 2020-21 program. It means skilled workers always get the chance to get considered.

Points to note about occupation relevancy and skills assessment

• Before applying for a 189 Visa for Australia, check the skilled occupations’ list to ensure your profession is listed there. 
• Moreover, a skills assessment will be required to prove that you have the necessary skills. 
• Note that for different occupations, different assessing authorities perform the assessment. The authority accepts only those skills assessments that are carried out by relevant authorities.

For how long does the EOI remain valid?

Once you submit your EOI, it stays valid for two years, and you will be invited to apply for your visa during this period. Remember that you will have the chance to update your information on the website. You may consider doing it as it will improve your chances of getting selected.

Within how many days of receiving the invitation should you apply for the visa?

Once you receive your invitation to apply for skilled migration to Perth, you will have 60 calendar days to make the application. The visa application can be done from inside or outside Australia. If you go for an onshore application, you will need to hold a Bridging Visa to stay legally in Australia.

What factors does the Department consider when the applications are processed?

Applicants who score much higher on the points’ test have better chances to get selected for the visa. However, sometimes the Immigration Department considers factors like a location from where applications are made. For the desired visa outcome, you may take help from a visa consultant in Perth.

How can an Australian Immigration Agent help you?

This Visa is one of the easiest and direct pathways to an Australian permanent residency. The visa is easier to obtain compared to an employer-sponsored work visa. A registered Migration Agent Perth can help you by

• Preparing the EOI
• Helping you with the application
• Helping you with the assessment of the required skills
• Checking the application status

However, before selecting an individual, make sure they are registered with the Migration Agents’ Registration Authority.