At a Glance
Subclass 189 — the numbers that matter
65 Points Minimum
The floor to lodge an Expression of Interest — but most 2026 invitations are landing around 80–95+ points for competitive occupations.
AUD $6,135 Visa Fee
The primary applicant charge from 1 July 2026, plus separate charges for family members and any third-party costs.
Nursing Is the Top Priority
Registered Nurses (all specialisations) are expected to dominate 189 invitations in 2026 — the single highest-priority occupation on the list.
Why 189 Is the "Gold Standard"
No sponsor, no state commitment, permanent from day one
Subclass 189 requires no employer sponsorship, no state or territory nomination, and no regional commitment — it’s granted on your own points score alone, and it’s unconditional permanent residency the moment it’s approved. That freedom comes at a cost: it’s the most competitive of the three skilled visa subclasses, with 2026 invitation rounds requiring genuinely strong scores for occupations like IT and engineering (85–95+ points). But for healthcare, teaching and social work — sectors facing structural shortages — the 189 is considerably more accessible, with priority processing in many rounds.
Eligibility Requirements
What you need before lodging an EOI
MLTSSL Occupation
Your nominated occupation must sit on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List — the most restricted list in Australia’s system, but the one nursing and most healthcare roles qualify under.
Positive Skills Assessment
From the relevant authority for your occupation — ANMAC for nurses, Engineers Australia for engineers, ACS for IT — and it must still be valid (typically within 3 years) when you apply.
Under 45 at Invitation
Age is also the single heaviest-weighted points factor, so this cuts both ways — eligibility and competitiveness.
Competent English Minimum
IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or OET — higher results (Proficient or Superior) add meaningfully more points than the bare minimum.
65 Points to Enter the Pool
The legal minimum to lodge an EOI — not a realistic invitation guarantee for most occupations.
Family Included
Your partner and dependent children are included as secondary applicants, with full work and study rights from grant.
The Process
From skills assessment to visa grant
01
Skills Assessment
The relevant authority for your occupation confirms your qualifications and experience match the ANZSCO description.
02
Points Test & EOI
We calculate your real points score and lodge your Expression of Interest through SkillSelect.
03
Invitation Rounds
SkillSelect rounds are held regularly — the next 2026 round is expected by 30 September. Higher scores get invited first.
04
Visa Application
Once invited, you have 60 days to lodge your full application — including health exams and police clearances.
05
Grant & Relocation
Processing typically runs 6–12 months — once granted, it’s unconditional permanent residency, ready for relocation.