Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is for those skilled workers who are having either the Australian education and/or work experience or foreign education and/or work experience and they want to live and work in Australia permanently by getting Permanent Residency of Australia.
Occupation should be on relevant Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and minimum 65 points are required by skilled workers to become eligible for Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189).
Benefits of Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
Skilled workers can
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live permanently in Australia
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work and study anywhere in Australia
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get Australia's health care benefits
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sponsor eligible relatives for Permanent Residence
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travel to and from Australia for 5 years
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can become Australian Citizens if eligible
Minimum Requirements for Eligibility
Department of Home Affairs (DHA) Australia will assess the applications of those Skilled Workers for the purpose of Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) who have satisfied the minimum requirements which are mentioned below:
To be eligible a skilled worker must
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have an occupation on the relevant Skilled Occupation List (SOL).
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have a suitable skills assessment for the nominated skilled occupation or a closely related skilled occupation.
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have a competent level of English.
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be under 45 years.
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have got 65 points.
Factors
1- Age
2- Educational Qualifications
3- Skilled Employment Experience
4- English Language Skills
5- Specialist Education Qualification
6- Australian Study Requirement
7- Professional Year in Australia
8- Credentialled Community Language
9- Study in Regional Australia
10- Partner Skills
1- Age
Maximum 30 points can be awarded to skilled workers under the age factor.
Mentioned below is the table for calculating points based on skilled workers age at the time of invitation by Department of Home Affairs (DHA) Australia.
| Age | Points |
|---|---|
| Less than 18 years | 0 |
| at least 18 but less than 25 years | 25 |
| at least 25 but less than 33 years | 30 |
| at least 33 but less than 40 years | 25 |
| at least 40 but less than 45 years | 15 |
| Over 45 years | 0 |
2- Educational Qualifications
Maximum 20 points can be awarded to skilled workers under the educational qualifications factor.
For getting points under the education qualifications factor, skilled workers should get skills assessment for immigration purposes from the relevant assessing authority according to their nominated skilled occupation or a closely related skilled occupation.
Mentioned below is the table for calculating points based on skilled workers level of education.
| Level of Education | Points |
|---|---|
| Doctoral level (PhD) | 20 |
| Master's level (MPhil or MS) | 15 |
| Bachelor's level (3 or more years degree) or MSc after 2 years Bachelors | 15 |
| 2 years Bachelors Degree | 10 |
| Diploma or Trade qualification | 10 |
3- Skilled Employment Experience
Maximum 20 points can be awarded to skilled workers under the skilled employment experience factor. This means that if skilled workers are getting more than 20 points for the combined Australian and foreign employment experience, only 20 points at maximum will be awarded to them.
For getting points under the skilled employment experience factor, skilled workers can only get points for the employment if it was in their nominated skilled occupation or a closely related skilled occupation within the last 10 years. This employment should be full time (at least 20 hours per week) and paid.
Mentioned below is the table for calculating points based on skilled workers number of years of skilled employment experience in the nominated skilled occupation or a closely related skilled occupation.
| Overseas Skilled Employment – (Outside Australia) | |
|---|---|
| Number of Years of Overseas Skilled Employment Experience | Points |
| Less than 3 years | 0 |
| At least 3 but less than 5 years | 5 |
| At least 5 but less than 8 years | 10 |
| At least 8 years | 15 |
| Australian Skilled Employment – (In Australia) | |
|---|---|
| Number of Years of Australian Skilled Employment Experience | Points |
| Less than 1 years | 0 |
| At least 1 but less than 3 years | 5 |
| At least 3 but less than 5 years | 10 |
| At least 5 but less than 8 years | 15 |
| At least 8 years | 20 |
4- English Language Skills
Maximum 20 points can be awarded to skilled workers under the English language skills factor.
For getting points under the English language skills factor, skilled workers should take an approved language test to prove their language ability.
Skilled workers can take any of the following language tests which are accepted by Department of Home Affairs (DHA) Australia.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - General Training
Mentioned below is the table for calculating points based on skilled workers English language skills through International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - General Training.
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - General Training | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | Points |
| Competent | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Proficient | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 |
| Superior | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 20 |
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
Mentioned below is the table for calculating points based on skilled workers English language skills through Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic).
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | Points |
| Competent | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 0 |
| Proficient | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 10 |
| Superior | 79 | 79 | 79 | 79 | 20 |
5- Specialist Education Qualification
Maximum 10 points can be awarded to skilled workers under the specialist education qualification factor if skilled workers are having a Masters degree by research or a Doctorate degree from an Australian educational institution that included at least 2 years of academic study in a relevant field.
For getting points under the specialist education qualification factor, skilled workers should be awarded with a postgraduate degree by research (doctorate or masters) from an Australian education institution after at least 2 years of academic study in the following science, technology, engineering, mathematics or specified information and communication technology (ICT) fields:
Natural and Physical Sciences
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Biological Sciences
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Chemical Sciences
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Earth Sciences
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Mathematical Sciences
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Natural and Physical Sciences
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Other Natural and Physical Sciences
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Physics and Astronomy
Information Technology
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Computer Science
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Information Systems
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Information Technology
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Other Information Technology
Engineering and Related Technologies
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Aerospace Engineering and Technology
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Civil Engineering
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Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Technology
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Engineering and Related Technologies
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Geomatics Engineering
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Manufacturing Engineering and Technology
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Maritime Engineering and Technology
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Mechanical and Industrial Engineering and Technology
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Other Engineering and Related Technologies
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Process and Resources Engineering
6- Australian Study Requirement
Maximum 5 points can be awarded to skilled workers under the Australian study requirement factor.
For getting points under the Australian study requirement factor, skilled workers should have at least 1 degree, diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution which meets the study requirements of Australia.
7- Professional Year in Australia
Maximum 5 points can be awarded to skilled workers under the professional year in Australia factor.
For getting points under the professional year in Australia factor, professional year of skilled workers should
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be in Accounting, ICT/Computing or Engineering and in their nominated skilled occupation or a closely related skilled occupation
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have completed over a period of at least 12 months
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have completed in Australia within last 4 years
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be provided by one of the below mentioned organizations:
1- Australian Computer Science Society
2- CPA Australia
3- Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
4- Institute of Public Accountants
5- Engineers Australia
8- Credentialled Community Language
Maximum 5 points can be awarded to skilled workers under the credentialled community language factor.
For getting points under the credentialled community language factor skilled workers should hold a recognised qualification in a credentialled community language and should have been accredited at the paraprofessional level or above, certified at the certified provisional level or above, or have a community language credential for interpreting or translating by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.
9- Study in Regional Australia
Maximum 5 points can be awarded to skilled workers under the study in regional Australia factor.
For getting points under the study in regional Australia factor, skilled workers should have at least 1 degree, diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution which meets the study requirements of Australia and the qualification should be obtained while living and studying in an eligible area of regional Australia.
10- Partner Skills
Maximum 10 points can be awarded to skilled workers under the partner skills factor.
For getting points under the partner skills factor, skilled workers should have at least 1 degree, diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution which meets the study requirements of Australia and the qualification should be obtained while living and studying in an eligible area of regional Australia.
Mentioned below is the table for calculating points based on partner skills of skilled workers.
| Requirement | Points |
|---|---|
|
Spouse or de facto partner is also an applicant for this visa and meet age, English and skill criteria Skilled workers can get these points if
|
10 |
|
Spouse or de facto partner is also an applicant for this visa and has competent English Skilled workers can get these points if
|
5 |
|
Skilled worker is single or his/her partner is an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident |
10 |
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