Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) – Points-tested stream
A permanent visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, a state or territory, or a family member. You first lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect. You can only apply if the Department of Home Affairs invites you. You then have 60 days to lodge the visa application online in ImmiAccount.
1 entry rule for Australia based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Health screening after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list) in the last 6 days
Travellers over 1 year entering Australia within 6 days of staying overnight or longer in a yellow fever risk country are asked for a valid yellow fever certificate; entry is not refused without one. Without one: not refused entry: may be referred to a biosecurity officer and given information/an action card; must promptly seek medical assessment if symptoms develop within 6 days of leaving the risk place.
Australian Government Department of Health: Yellow fever Australian Government: Yellow fever fact sheet (holds Australia's list of risk countries and areas) Australian Immunisation Handbook: Yellow fever WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia): Human health – advice to travellers Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Australia
Money
3
Currency
Australian Dollar
AUD
Australian Dollar
Cost of living
94
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
15–45%
Income tax (national)
GST 10%
2026-27: first AUD 18,200 tax-free; 45% above AUD 190,000. Plus 2% Medicare levy.
Living
1
Happiness
#15 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Working in your field Members
Whether you need a licence or registration to work in your field here
Who it’s for
Skilled workers under 45 whose occupation is on the relevant skilled occupation list, who hold a suitable skills assessment and can score at least 65 points on the points test.
Eligibility
Invitation to apply
Apply only after a SkillSelect invitation, which follows an EOI you submit; you then have 60 calendar days to apply.
60 calendar days
Invitation timing
- EOIs are ranked against other EOIs
- The 60-day period cannot be extended
Official wording
You can only apply after you are invited through SkillSelect. You must first submit an EOI, which is ranked against other EOIs. Once invited, you have 60 calendar days to apply and this cannot be extended.
Age
You need to be under 45 when you are invited.
Under 45
Age limit
- Turning 45 after the invitation does not stop you applying
- Turning 45 before the invitation means you will not be invited
Official wording
You must be under 45 when you are invited. If you turn 45 after the invitation you can still apply. If you turn 45 before you are invited, you will not be invited.
Eligible occupation
Your nominated occupation must be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations for the subclass 189 Points-tested stream.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementSuitable skills assessment
- Document checklistPassport (photo and details pages) and national identity card if you have one
- FeesBase application charge (main applicant)
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 8 more requirements
- 12 documents
- 6 fees
- 8 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Australia
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Australia
- Visit & tourismVisitor visa (subclass 600) – Tourist stream (apply outside Australia), with ETA (subclass 601) and eVisitor (subclass 651) for eligible passports
- StudyStudent visa
- Work permitsSkills in Demand visa (subclass 482) – Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams
- Asylum & protectionProtection visa
- CitizenshipAustralian citizenship by conferral
