General Skilled Visas

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

This visa is for points-tested skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or family member or nominated by a state or territory government.
It allows you to live and work in Australia as a permanent resident.

You might be eligible to apply for this visa upon invitation.

When you receive the letter of invitation, you must provide the following:
  • Nominate an occupation that is on the relevant Skilled Occupation List (SOL).
  • Obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant authority for the particular occupation.
  • Be under 50 years of age.
  • Achieve the English score specified in your letter of invitation based on the factors in the point test which is at least competent English.
  • Provide all relevant documents regarding your qualifications and relevant work experience.

If you are invited to apply for this visa, you will have 60 days to do so. You are invited based on your claim in EOI. Your application must be consistent with the information you provided in your expression of interest and it must be supported by evidence.

Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

This visa is also for points-tested skilled workers who are nominated by a state or territory government agency and It allows you to live and work in Australia as a permanent resident.

You might be eligible to apply for this visa if you were invited.

When you receive your letter of invitation, you must provide the following:
  • Nominate an occupation that is on the relevant Consolidated Skilled Occupation List (CSOL).
  • Be nominated by a State/Territory government agency.
  • Obtain a positive skill assessment for that occupation.
  • Be under 50 years of age.
  • Achieve the English score specified in your letter of invitation based on the factors in the points test, at least competent English.

To be able to apply for this visa you need to submit an expression of interest and then be invited through SkillSelect to apply.

Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489)

This visa allows skilled workers to live and work in specified regional areas in Australia for up to four years. There are two different pathway to this visa. If nominated for this visa by a State or Territory government agency, you are to live, work and study in an area listed in the low population growth area.

If you are sponsored by an eligible relative, you are to live, work and study in one of the following designated areas of Australia.

Invited Pathway

For the Invited Pathway you must submit an Expression of Interest first and then lodge your application.

Extended Stay Pathway

For the Extended Stay Pathway you are not required to submit an EIO. You apply for a Skilled Regional (Provisional) Renewal (subclass 489) visa.

You can also apply for this visa if you hold a provisional visa in subclass 496, 495, 487 or 475 and want to extend your stay in Australia or if you are a family member of someone who holds this visa (subclass 489) or a provisional visa in subclass 475, 487, 495 or 496.

Skilled Regional (Residence) visa (subclass 887)

This is a permanent visa for an applicant who has lived and worked in a specified area of regional Australia as the holder of a Subclass 489 visa.

Briefly, to be eligible to apply for this visa you must:
  • Be in Australia and have lived for at least two years in a specified regional area of Australia.
  • Have worked full time (at least 35 hours a week) for 12 months in a specified regional area of Australia.
  • Hold a Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489).
  • Or hold a Bridging visa A or Bridging visa B after applying for a subclass 495, 487 or 489 visa.

You may also be eligible to apply if you hold a Skilled Regional visa (subclasses 475, 487), a Skilled Independent visa (subclass 495), or a Skilled Designated Area visa (subclass 496).