anzsco.com.au
Subclass 189PermanentPermanent

Skilled Independent visa

The Subclass 189 visa lets skilled workers live and work anywhere in Australia permanently without an employer, state, or family sponsor. Selection is fully points-tested through SkillSelect with invitations issued in periodic rounds. Holders enjoy the same work, study, and Medicare rights as other permanent residents.

At a glance

Points test
Yes — points-tested via SkillSelect
Sponsor
No sponsor required
Base application charge
from $4,640 (check immi.gov.au for current fee)
Processing time
~8-15 months (median)
Eligibility list
MLTSSL
Pathway
Grants permanent residency on grant — eligible for Australian citizenship after meeting the residency rule.

Recent updates

See all updates →
  • info
    OSCA launched as ABS classification standard

    The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA), progressively replacing the long-standing ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations). OSCA preserves a similar 6-digit structure but introduces revised major groups, updated occupation definitions, and new entries for emerging roles. The Department of Home Affairs is adopting OSCA progressively across 2025-2026 — most skilled-visa occupation lists still reference ANZSCO codes during the transition. Always cross-check the live occupation list on home affairs at application time.

  • info
    Direction 110 replaces Direction 99 for s501 character decisions

    Ministerial Direction 110 issued under section 499 of the Migration Act 1958, providing the framework decision-makers must apply when refusing or cancelling visas on character grounds under section 501. Direction 110 replaces Direction 99 and re-emphasises Australia's expectations of non-citizens. Affects character considerations across all visa subclasses, including skilled visas at the application and post-grant stage.

  • watch
    Visa application charges are reviewed annually

    Visa Application Charges (VAC) for all Australian visa subclasses are reviewed and typically adjusted in line with the Federal Budget each financial year (taking effect 1 July). Fees displayed across this site reflect a recent editorial review (see each page's 'Last reviewed' stamp) but should always be cross-checked against the official fee schedule on home affairs at application time. Additional charges may apply for secondary applicants, dependent children, English-language tests, skills assessments, and biometrics — these are NOT included in the base application charge.

SkillSelect points trend

Minimum points score from the last 6 invitation rounds for Subclass 189.

All rounds →

Source: Department of Home Affairs SkillSelect. Information only. Consult a registered MARA agent for personalised guidance.

Key requirements

High-level eligibility criteria. Each criterion has further sub-rules; verify with immi.gov.au before applying.

  • Under 45 years of age at invitation
  • Competent English (IELTS 6 or equivalent)
  • Positive skills assessment in a nominated MLTSSL occupation
  • Submit Expression of Interest in SkillSelect and meet pass mark (currently 65, effective competitive minimum 90+)
  • Health and character requirements

Skills assessment

Each occupation has a single designated assessing authority — the one listed for the nominated ANZSCO code on this site.

Eligible occupations(213 total)

ANZSCO occupations currently flagged for Subclass 189 in our latest dataset.

Browse all →
  1. 133111Skill level 1

    Construction Project Manager

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  2. 133211Skill level 1

    Engineering Manager

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, NT, ACT

  3. 134111Skill level 1

    Child Care Centre Manager

    MLTSSL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, NT, ACT

  4. 134212Skill level 1

    Nursing Clinical Director

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, TAS, NT, ACT

  5. 134213Skill level 1

    Primary Health Organisation Manager

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  6. 134214Skill level 1

    Welfare Centre Manager

    MLTSSL

    States: NSW, VIC, WA, SA, TAS, NT, ACT

  7. 139911Skill level 1

    Arts Administrator or Manager

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  8. 139912Skill level 1

    Environmental Manager

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  9. 211112Skill level 1

    Dancer or Choreographer

    MLTSSL

    States: VIC, WA, SA

  10. 211212Skill level 1

    Music Director

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, SA

  11. 211213Skill level 1

    Musician (Instrumental)

    MLTSSL

    States: VIC, SA

  12. 212111Skill level 1

    Artistic Director

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, SA

  13. 221111Skill level 1

    Accountant (General)

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  14. 221112Skill level 1

    Management Accountant

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  15. 221113Skill level 1

    Taxation Accountant

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  16. 221213Skill level 1

    External Auditor

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  17. 221214Skill level 1

    Internal Auditor

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  18. 224111Skill level 1

    Actuary

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, SA

  19. 224113Skill level 1

    Statistician

    MLTSSL

    States: VIC, SA

  20. 224311Skill level 1

    Economist

    MLTSSL

    States: VIC, SA

  21. 224511Skill level 1

    Land Economist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, SA

  22. 224512Skill level 1

    Valuer

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, SA

  23. 224711Skill level 1

    Management Consultant

    MLTSSL

    States: VIC, WA, SA

  24. 232111Skill level 1

    Architect

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  25. 232112Skill level 1

    Landscape Architect

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, WA, SA, TAS, NT, ACT

  26. 232212Skill level 1

    Surveyor

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, NT, ACT

  27. 232213Skill level 1

    Cartographer

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, WA, SA, TAS

  28. 232214Skill level 1

    Other Spatial Scientist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, WA, SA, TAS

  29. 233111Skill level 1

    Chemical Engineer

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA

  30. 233112Skill level 1

    Materials Engineer

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA

  31. 233211Skill level 1

    Civil Engineer

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  32. 233212Skill level 1

    Geotechnical Engineer

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, NT, ACT

  33. 233213Skill level 1

    Quantity Surveyor

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  34. 233214Skill level 1

    Structural Engineer

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, NT, ACT

  35. 233215Skill level 1

    Transport Engineer

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  36. 233311Skill level 1

    Electrical Engineer

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  37. 233411Skill level 1

    Electronics Engineer

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, ACT

  38. 233511Skill level 1

    Industrial Engineer

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, NT, ACT

  39. 233512Skill level 1

    Mechanical Engineer

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  40. 233513Skill level 1

    Production or Plant Engineer

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, ACT

  41. 233611Skill level 1

    Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum)

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, NT

  42. 233612Skill level 1

    Petroleum Engineer

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA

  43. 233911Skill level 1

    Aeronautical Engineer

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, WA, SA, NT, ACT

  44. 233912Skill level 1

    Agricultural Engineer

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, ACT

  45. 233913Skill level 1

    Biomedical Engineer

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, ACT

  46. 233914Skill level 1

    Engineering Technologist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, WA, SA, ACT

  47. 233915Skill level 1

    Environmental Engineer

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, ACT

  48. 233916Skill level 1

    Naval Architect / Marine Designer

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, WA, SA, ACT

  49. 233999Skill level 1

    Engineering Professionals nec

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, ACT

  50. 234111Skill level 1

    Agricultural Consultant

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS

  51. 234112Skill level 1

    Agricultural Scientist

    MLTSSL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS

  52. 234113Skill level 1

    Forester / Forest Scientist

    MLTSSL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS

  53. 234211Skill level 1

    Chemist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS

  54. 234212Skill level 1

    Food Technologist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, WA, SA, TAS

  55. 234312Skill level 1

    Environmental Consultant

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, TAS, ACT

  56. 234313Skill level 1

    Environmental Research Scientist

    MLTSSL

    States: NSW, VIC, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  57. 234399Skill level 1

    Environmental Scientists nec

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, TAS, ACT

  58. 234412Skill level 1

    Geophysicist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, WA, SA, TAS

  59. 234413Skill level 1

    Hydrogeologist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS

  60. 234511Skill level 1

    Life Scientist (General)

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, WA, SA, ACT

  61. 234513Skill level 1

    Biochemist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, QLD, WA, SA

  62. 234514Skill level 1

    Biotechnologist

    MLTSSL

    States: VIC, QLD, WA, SA

  63. 234515Skill level 1

    Botanist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, WA, SA

  64. 234516Skill level 1

    Marine Biologist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, WA, SA

  65. 234517Skill level 1

    Microbiologist

    MLTSSL

    States: VIC, WA, SA

  66. 234518Skill level 1

    Zoologist

    MLTSSL

    States: VIC, WA, SA

  67. 234599Skill level 1

    Life Scientists nec

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, QLD, WA, SA, ACT

  68. 234611Skill level 1

    Medical Laboratory Scientist

    MLTSSL

    States: VIC, QLD, WA, SA, NT, ACT

  69. 234711Skill level 1

    Veterinarian

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  70. 234911Skill level 1

    Conservator

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, WA, SA

  71. 234912Skill level 1

    Metallurgist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, WA, SA

  72. 234913Skill level 1

    Meteorologist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, WA, SA

  73. 234914Skill level 1

    Physicist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, WA, SA, ACT

  74. 234999Skill level 1

    Natural and Physical Science Professionals nec

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, WA, SA, ACT

  75. 241111Skill level 1

    Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, NT, ACT

  76. 241411Skill level 1

    Secondary School Teacher

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, NT, ACT

  77. 241511Skill level 1

    Special Needs Teacher

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, NT, ACT

  78. 241512Skill level 1

    Teacher of the Hearing Impaired

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  79. 241513Skill level 1

    Teacher of the Sight Impaired

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  80. 241599Skill level 1

    Special Education Teachers nec

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, NT, ACT

  81. 242111Skill level 1

    University Lecturer

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, WA, SA

  82. 251211Skill level 1

    Medical Diagnostic Radiographer

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, NT, ACT

  83. 251212Skill level 1

    Medical Radiation Therapist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  84. 251213Skill level 1

    Nuclear Medicine Technologist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  85. 251214Skill level 1

    Sonographer

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, NT, ACT

  86. 251411Skill level 1

    Optometrist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, WA, SA, TAS, NT, ACT

  87. 251912Skill level 1

    Orthotist or Prosthetist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  88. 252111Skill level 1

    Chiropractor

    MLTSSL

    States: NSW, VIC, WA, SA, NT, ACT

  89. 252112Skill level 1

    Osteopath

    MLTSSL

    States: NSW, VIC, WA, SA, ACT

  90. 252411Skill level 1

    Occupational Therapist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, NT, ACT

  91. 252511Skill level 1

    Physiotherapist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, NT, ACT

  92. 252611Skill level 1

    Podiatrist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, NT, ACT

  93. 252711Skill level 1

    Audiologist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  94. 252712Skill level 1

    Speech Pathologist / Speech Language Therapist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, NT, ACT

  95. 253111Skill level 1

    General Practitioner

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, NT, ACT

  96. 253311Skill level 1

    Specialist Physician (General Medicine)

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, NT, ACT

  97. 253312Skill level 1

    Cardiologist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  98. 253313Skill level 1

    Clinical Haematologist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  99. 253314Skill level 1

    Medical Oncologist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

  100. 253315Skill level 1

    Endocrinologist

    MLTSSLCSOL

    States: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT

Skill-level distribution

How the 100 occupations on this page split across ANZSCO skill levels (1 = highest qualification).

  • Skill level 1
    100
  • Skill level 2
    0
  • Skill level 3
    0
  • Skill level 4
    0
  • Skill level 5
    0

Scan to talk to our AI about Subclass 189 pathway, fees, and timeline — no agent affiliation.

Government data last reviewed by editorial team:

This is a guide. Visa rules change. Always verify with immi.gov.au before applying.

Canonical: /visa/189