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XIPHIAS Immigration
Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent PR Visa

Skilled Migration / Australia / Route

Australia · Investment route

Subclass189–SkilledIndependentPRVisa

Permanent residency with no employer or state sponsor — invitation via SkillSelect.

12 monthsTimeline
pointsRoute

Last updated: 2026-10-01

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Programme overviewنظرة عامة

Overview

Advising UAE residents on Australian immigration from our Dubai office.

What you getالمزايا

Thebenefits,infull.

✦

Permanent residency upon grant — live and work anywhere in Australia.

✦

No job offer, sponsor, or state nomination required.

✦

Partner and dependent children can be included.

✦

Transparent points-based selection through SkillSelect invitation rounds.

Investment & costsالتكاليف

Everyfigure,inwriting.

Qualifying investment

Visa application charge (primary applicant)

Home Affairs VAC as displayed on 29 September 2026. Additional applicant charges apply.

A$6,135

Government & due-diligence fees

Subclass 189 — primary applicant visa application chargeA$6,135

Figures are indicative and exclusive of professional fees. Your advisor confirms an exact, written cost breakdown for your family size.

Eligibilityالأهلية

Whatittakestoqualify.

Requirements

✦

Be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation.

✦

Occupation must be on the eligible skilled occupation list (MLTSSL) and have a positive skills assessment.

✦

Achieve at least Competent English (IELTS 6.0 in each band or accepted equivalents).

✦

Submit an EOI in SkillSelect and receive an invitation.

✦

Meet health, character, and documentation evidence standards.

Who cannot apply

—

Occupation not listed or missing a valid skills assessment.

—

Points below your occupation’s invitation cut-off. 65 is the minimum, not a competitive score.

—

Aged 45 or above at invitation — ineligible for GSM subclass 189.

Language requirementاللغة

Proveyourproficiency.

Minimum level

Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each or accepted equivalents)

Accepted tests

IELTSPTEOETTOEFL iBT

Points systemالنقاط

Howcandidatesareranked.

Minimum score to receive an invitation: 65 points

CategoryMax pts
Age30
English language20
Skilled employment (overseas/Australia)20
Qualifications20
Other factors (Aust. study, specialist education, partner, regional, CCL)25
Total115

Eligible occupationsالمهن

In-demandroles.

Common eligible occupations (examples)

  • ✦Software Engineer (ANZSCO 261313)
  • ✦Civil Engineer (ANZSCO 233211)
  • ✦Registered Nurse (ANZSCO 254418)
  • ✦Electrician (General) (ANZSCO 341111)

The processكيف نعمل

Fromfirstcalltoapproval.

01

Skills Assessment

Get your occupation assessed by the relevant authority before applying.

02

English Test

Take IELTS/PTE/OET and achieve at least **Competent English**.

03

Expression of Interest (SkillSelect)

Submit an EOI online and wait for invitation. EOIs remain valid for 2 years.

04

Invitation & Visa Application

Receive invitation, lodge your visa, and pay the VAC.

05

Health, Character & Biometrics

Complete medical exams and submit police clearances.

06

Visa Decision

Once approved, your PR visa is granted — travel and activate your residency.

Document checklistالوثائق

Everythingneededtofile.

Identity & Civil

  • ✦Passport valid for at least 6 months.
  • ✦Birth/marriage certificates or name change evidence.
  • ✦National ID or address proofs (if applicable).

Skills & Education

  • ✦Positive skills assessment from a recognized assessing authority.
  • ✦Academic transcripts and degree/diploma certificates.
  • ✦Professional licenses (if required for your occupation).

Employment

  • ✦Reference letters detailing job duties and duration.
  • ✦Payslips, tax statements, or contracts.
  • ✦Statutory declarations where applicable.

English & Tests

  • ✦IELTS/PTE or accepted equivalent results meeting minimum score.

Health & Character

  • ✦Medical exam results from approved panel physicians.
  • ✦Police clearance certificates for each country resided in 12+ months.

Your XIPHIAS advisor prepares a personalised document list at onboarding. The checklist above is indicative and may vary by family size.

Family scopeالأسرة

Whotravelswithyou.

All eligible dependants can be included in one application or added after approval.

✦Spouse or common-law partner
✦Dependent children up to age 23

Age limits, dependency definitions, and addition fees vary by jurisdiction. Your advisor confirms exact rules at onboarding.

Risk notes

!

65 points is the entry threshold, not a realistic target. In the 4 June 2026 round only 15 construction trades were invited at 65; most professional occupations sat between 80 and 100.

!

No invitations were issued in July, August or September 2026, the first three months of the 2026-27 programme year. XIPHIAS tracks each round and confirms the latest position before you lodge an EOI.

!

Invitation cut-offs are set per occupation, not nationally. Your score competes only against other candidates in the same occupation.

!

An expression of interest stays valid for 2 years. Turning 45 between lodging your EOI and being invited makes you ineligible.

Compliance

✓

Home Affairs published service standard for the Points-tested stream: 61 days for 50% of applications, 8 months for 90% (published 29 September 2026, data to 31 August 2026). That covers the visa decision only. The headline timeline on this page is XIPHIAS's own observed end-to-end average from our case files, which includes the wait for an invitation.

✓

Your occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL, ANZSCO 2013). That list was last re-issued effective 28 March 2026.

✓

Applications are processed in the order set by Ministerial Direction No. 122. Home Affairs warns that published timeframes may temporarily move backwards during the transition to it.

✓

Current queue positions published by Home Affairs: November 2025 for priority sectors (construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, resources, law enforcement and defence), June 2026 for onshore applicants, November 2025 for offshore.

✓

You must be under 45 at the time of invitation. You may still apply if you turn 45 after being invited.

✓

All claimed points must be backed by verifiable documentation.

✓

A second instalment of the visa application charge may be payable for family members aged 18 or over who do not have functional English.

Questionsأسئلة شائعة

This route, answered.

65 points is the minimum to be invited. In practice it is far from enough — in the 4 June 2026 round, only 15 construction trades were invited at 65, while most professional occupations were invited between 80 and 100 points.

Start the Australia route.

A senior advisor will confirm the exact costs, timeline and documents for your case — privately, and entirely off the record.