Australia’s Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189) and Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190) are points-tested permanent residency visas designed for highly skilled professionals whose occupations are in demand across Australia.

These visas allow eligible applicants to live and work permanently in Australia without employer sponsorship.

At Gateway to Australia Migration, we provide strategic eligibility assessments, points optimisation advice, and complete application management to maximise your chances of receiving an invitation to apply.

 The Subclass 189 visa is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, state, or family member.

• Permanent residency from date of grant 
• No employer or state sponsorship required 
• Freedom to live and work anywhere in Australia 
• Access to Medicare 
• Ability to sponsor eligible family members 
• Pathway to Australian citizenship (subject to eligibility)
   

To qualify, applicants must:

• Be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation 
• Have an occupation listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) 
• Obtain a positive skills assessment 
• Meet Competent English requirements 
• Achieve at least 65 points (competitive scores are often higher) 
• Receive an invitation through SkillSelect 
• Meet health and character requirements
   

The Subclass 189 visa is highly competitive and requires careful strategic planning to maximise points and ranking.

The Subclass 190 visa is a permanent residency visa requiring nomination by an Australian state or territory government.

This visa provides 5 additional points toward your GSM points score and may offer more occupation options compared to Subclass 189.

• Permanent residency 
• 5 additional points for state nomination 
• Access to occupations on state-specific lists 
• Increased invitation opportunities 
• Pathway to citizenship
   

Each state and territory sets its own nomination criteria, including work experience, residency requirements, employment conditions, and occupation priority lists.

Strategic state selection is critical for success.

The application process typically involves:

Obtain a positive assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation.

Accurately calculate points based on:

• Age 
• English language proficiency 
• Skilled employment 
• Educational qualifications 
• Partner skills 
• State nomination (190 only)
   

Submit an EOI through SkillSelect outlining your qualifications and claimed points.

Apply to the relevant state government and meet additional state-specific requirements.

If selected, you will receive an invitation to lodge your visa application.

Submit supporting documentation, including:

• Identity documents 
• Employment evidence 
• English test results 
• Police clearances 
• Health examinations
   

Accuracy and consistency in documentation are essential to avoid refusal.

The right pathway depends on:

• Your occupation 
• Your current points score 
• State nomination eligibility 
• Employment location 
• Long-term settlement goals
   

We conduct detailed eligibility assessments to determine the most strategic and realistic pathway for each applicant.

• Comprehensive points assessment and strategy 
• State nomination eligibility analysis 
• EOI optimisation 
• Full documentation review 
• Risk mitigation and compliance guidance 
• Ongoing support until visa grant
   

We provide tailored migration strategies designed to maximise invitation success and secure permanent residency outcomes.