About the Skilled Independent & Nominated (Subclasses 189 & 190)
Australia's General Skilled Migration (GSM) provides direct avenues for qualified professionals to live and work in Australia permanently. Subclass 189 operates as an independent federal PR visa with no state or employer sponsorship required.
Subclass 190 is a state-nominated PR visa granting 5 bonus points, while Subclass 491 is a regional provisional visa granting 15 bonus points, offering a clear 3-year pathway to permanent residency (Subclass 191).
Engineers, IT professionals, software engineers, registered nurses, accountants, and tradespeople meeting Australian occupational shortage criteria.
Program Quick Facts
Minimum 65 points on SkillSelect, positive skill assessment, and Competent/Proficient English.
Eligibility & Qualification Criteria
Applications are assessed against these primary criteria prior to lodging with the immigration department.
SkillSelect Points
Minimum 65 points on the SkillSelect points test (evaluating age, English, education, and experience).
Positive Skill Assessment
Valid positive outcome letter from the designated assessing authority (ACS, Engineers Australia, VETASSESS, etc.).
Age Limit
Must be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation.
English Level
Competent English (IELTS 6.0 in each band) minimum; Proficient English (IELTS 7.0 / PTE 65) awards 10 points; Superior English awards 20 points.
Step-by-Step Application Journey
Skill Assessment Application
Submit qualifications, transcripts, and employment reference letters to the relevant Australian assessing body.
Expression of Interest (EOI) Lodgement
Lodge your EOI through SkillSelect indicating interest in Subclass 189, 190, or 491.
State Nomination Application (For 190/491)
Submit registration of interest (ROI) to targeted states (NSW, Victoria, Queensland, WA, SA, etc.).
Visa Lodgement with Home Affairs
Upon receiving your invitation, lodge your formal visa petition with the Department of Home Affairs within 60 days.
Grant Notification & Relocation
Complete medical and penal checks to receive your permanent residency visa grant letter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most assessments are valid for 2 to 3 years depending on the assessing authority (e.g. ACS assessments are valid for 24 months).
Assess Your Eligibility for Skilled Independent & Nominated (Subclasses 189 & 190)
Connect directly with an advisor for a confidential qualification pre-check and timeline breakdown.