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Skilled Independent Visa (189) Eligibility Calculator for Australia
Check Your Visa Eligibility Score in 60 Seconds
Free • Australia
1. Age at expected invitation date?
2. English proficiency?
3. Skilled work experience overseas (in nominated occupation, last 10 years)?
4. Highest qualification recognised by assessing authority?
Skilled Independent Visa (189) Eligibility Overview
Skilled Independent Visa (189) Eligibility Calculator for Australia is one of the most searched immigration pathways for people moving to Australia
This page gives you a fast, no-signup way to check where you stand before you spend money on application fees or agents. Our calculator mirrors the official rule set and then translates the answers into a clear, percentage-based eligibility score. You will see exactly which requirements you already meet, which ones need work, and what the realistic next step looks like.
If you want a deeper, AI-personalised plan covering documents, timeline, costs and alternative pathways, run the full assessment — it compares your profile against every visa we track for your destination and ranks the routes most likely to succeed for someone with your background.
Skilled Independent Visa (189) Requirements
Age
Under 45 at time of invitation.
Occupation on MLTSSL
Nominated occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) / Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL from late 2024).
Skills assessment
Positive assessment from the relevant assessing authority (e.g., ACS, Engineers Australia, VETASSESS, AHPRA) valid at invitation.
English (Competent+)
Minimum Competent English (IELTS 6/PTE 50 each band); Proficient (IELTS 7) = 10 points; Superior (IELTS 8) = 20 points.
Points test
Score ≥65 to lodge EOI, but actual invitation cut-offs typically 85–95+ depending on occupation.
Health, character & PIC 4020
Pass medical, AFP + every-country police checks; no fraudulent documents in last 10 years (PIC 4020).
Official Skilled Independent Visa (189) Information
Skilled Independent Visa (189) FAQs
Common mistakes to avoid
Lodging an EOI at 65 points and waiting indefinitely — for most occupations the real cut-off is 85+ at invitation.
Using an expired skills assessment at invitation (most are valid 3 years).
Claiming partner skill points without meeting the partner age, English and assessment rules.
Counting work experience that pre-dates the assessing authority’s “skilled date”.
Failing PIC 4020 by submitting an inflated employment reference — bans 3–10 years.
Improve your chances
- 1
Push English to Superior (IELTS 8 / PTE 79) — +20 points, often decisive.
- 2
Complete a Professional Year (ICT, accounting, engineering) for +5 points and Australian study credit.
- 3
Add a NAATI Credentialled Community Language (CCL) test for +5 points.
- 4
Consider switching to 190 (state-nominated, +5) or 491 (regional, +15) if 189 cut-offs are out of reach.
- 5
Re-claim experience after each year passes; the points jumps at 3, 5 and 8 years.
Points test summary (Subclass 189)
| Factor | Max points |
|---|---|
| Age (25–32) | 30 |
| English (Superior) | 20 |
| Overseas skilled work (8+ yrs) | 15 |
| Australian skilled work (8+ yrs) | 20 |
| Education (PhD) | 20 |
| Australian study requirement | 5 |
| Specialist STEM education | 10 |
| Professional Year | 5 |
| Credentialled community language (NAATI) | 5 |
| Partner skills (skilled + English) | 10 |
| Single applicant / partner with Competent English | 10 |
Fees (AUD, 2025/26)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Main applicant visa fee | $4,765 |
| Additional applicant 18+ | $2,385 |
| Additional applicant <18 | $1,190 |
| Second Instalment (low English) | $4,890 per adult |
| Skills assessment (ACS / EA / VETASSESS) | $500–$1,200 |
Step-by-step application process
- Self-assess eligibility. Use this calculator and review the official Skilled Independent Visa (189) Eligibility Calculator for Australia criteria before paying any fees. Confirm you meet every hard gate (age, language, health, character, qualifying offer or investment) — failing one gate cannot be offset by scoring well elsewhere.
- Gather and translate documents. Collect passport, civil documents, qualifications, language test, police clearances from every country lived in 12+ months since age 17, and proof of funds. Obtain certified translations and apostilles/attestations where the destination authority requires them.
- Submit the formal application. Lodge online through the official government portal listed on this page. Pay the correct government fee, complete biometrics at the designated centre, and upload supporting evidence in the exact format the authority specifies.
- Respond to requests for evidence. Caseworkers commonly request additional payslips, employer letters, or medicals. Respond inside the deadline given — most refusals come from missed deadlines, not weak profiles.
- Travel and activate status. On approval, collect your visa vignette or eVisa, enter the country before it expires, register your address where required, and collect any biometric residence permit/card. Keep digital and paper copies of every document.
Sources & references
Every figure on this page is sourced from official government or regulator publications. Cross-check before applying — rules change.
This calculator is editorial guidance, not legal advice. Immigration thresholds, points, salary floors and occupation lists change frequently — always verify your route against the official government source linked on this page before applying. For complex cases, consult a licensed immigration adviser regulated in the destination country.
Helpful resources
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