Subclass 189 Eligibility Checklist: Age, English & Skills Requirements

Navigating Australian skilled migration can be overwhelming. This guide simplifies the process by focusing on the Skilled Independent visa, the Subclass 189 visa, which targets highly skilled workers in critical sectors, granting immediate permanent residency based purely on your points and expertise. A key benefit of this visa is that it grants permanent residency without needing sponsorship from an employer or family member, giving you the freedom to live and work anywhere in the country.

Our subclass 189 eligibility checklist breaks the entire process down into manageable steps, helping you quickly understand if this pathway is a realistic option for you.

The First Two Checks: Age and Occupation

Two non-negotiable requirements must be met first. The first is your age: you must be under 45 years old when you are invited to apply for the visa. This is a strict cut-off with no exceptions.

Next, your profession must be on the skilled occupation list for subclass 189. If your occupation isn’t listed, this visa path is not currently an option. Every profession on that list has a unique ANZSCO code, which is the official “job title” the government recognises for your role. Finding your ANZSCO code is a critical step, as it defines the duties and qualifications you’ll need to prove. If you meet these initial age and occupation checks, you can move on to the points test.

The 65-Point Minimum: Why You Need More

Passing the age and occupation checks allows you to enter the Points Test. Officially, the minimum score for a 189 visa is 65. However, this is the minimum required to enter the pool of candidates, not the score that guarantees an invitation.

The visa system is not first-come, first-served. The government holds periodic Invitation Rounds, where it invites candidates with the highest point totals to apply. If other applicants in your profession have scores of 85 or 95+, they will be selected first. Your goal isn’t just to be eligible, it’s to be competitive.

To set a realistic target, review the official 189 visa invitation round updates on the Department of Home Affairs website. This data shows the actual scores receiving invitations. Now, let’s break down how to calculate your potential score.

The 90-Point Reality: Why the Subclass 189 is Australia’s Most Competitive Visa

In 2025-26, the Subclass 189 Visa has become one of Australia’s most challenging pathways, as the realistic “entry price” for an invitation has surged far beyond the official 65-point minimum. For most competitive fields like Engineering, IT, and Accounting, 95+ points is now considered the baseline for a “high” likelihood of success, but it still does not guarantee an invitation. 

Because the federal government has tightened quotas to focus on critical sectors like Healthcare and Construction, applicants in general skilled roles often find that even 90 points leaves them in a long queue.

 In the current quarterly invitation cycles, the Department of Home Affairs prioritizes the highest-ranked candidates, meaning those with 95 or 100 points often “bump” 90-point holders out of the selection window.

While 90 points is an impressive score, the following table shows why it is so difficult to compete in 2026:

How to Calculate Your Points: Age, English, and Work Experience

Your personal Australia 189 visa points calculator begins with three main categories. First is your age at the time you receive an invitation. You get a maximum of 30 points if you are between 25 and 32 years old. This decreases to 25 points for ages 18-24 and 33-39, and then to 15 points for those aged 40-44.

Next is your English language ability, a crucial area where you can increase your points. To prove your skills, you’ll need to take an approved English language test for 189 visa, such as the IELTS or PTE Academic. While a base score is required for eligibility, higher scores earn significant points:

• Competent English: 0 points (the minimum threshold)
• Proficient English: 10 points
• Superior English: 20 points

Your skilled employment history also contributes heavily. The work must be relevant to your nominated occupation. For experience gained outside Australia, you can claim 5 points for three years of work, 10 points for five years, and a maximum of 15 points for eight or more years.

Before you can claim points for your work and qualifications, you must prove they meet the Australian standard.

The Mandatory First Step: Getting Your Skills Assessed

Your qualifications and work experience are officially verified through a process called a Skills Assessment. This is the formal recognition of your professional credentials by an expert body in Australia, confirming you are genuinely skilled in your nominated occupation.

This step is handled by an independent Assessing Authority specific to your field, which you can find using your ANZSCO code. Obtaining a positive assessment is non-negotiable and must be completed before you can submit your profile to the government. Without this positive outcome, you cannot enter the selection pool for the visa.

How to Get Noticed: Submitting Your Expression of Interest (EOI)

After securing a positive skills assessment, you can formally signal your interest by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) in the SkillSelect system. The SkillSelect expression of interest process adds your professional profile to a competitive talent pool for the government to review.

Remember, this is a competition, not a queue. The government invites the highest-scoring candidates during periodic 189 visa invitation round updates, so a score well above the 65-point minimum is critical.

An EOI is not a visa application. You can only proceed with how to lodge a 189 visa application after receiving an official Invitation to Apply. This invitation gives you just 60 days to submit all your final documents.

Not Enough Points? The Subclass 190 Visa Might Be Your Answer

If your points total feels just short of competitive for the 189 visa, another route is the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa. The key subclass 189 vs 190 visa comparison is that the 190 requires nomination by an Australian state or territory government that needs your skills.

The biggest benefit is the 5 bonus points awarded for state nomination, which can make all the difference in receiving an invitation. In return, you are generally expected to live and work in that state for your first two years in Australia. This path requires applying directly to a state for nomination, an extra step with its own occupation lists and criteria, but it’s a valuable alternative if your score needs a boost.

Read related articles on Australian skilled migration:

• General Skilled Migration (GSM) Australia – Complete Guide
• Subclass 189 Visa Australia – Skilled Independent Visa Guide

Your Next Steps and Final Checks

By understanding the key stages, from eligibility checks to skills assessments, you have a clear roadmap for the Subclass 189 visa. Turn this knowledge into action by preparing your core paperwork. This 189 visa mandatory document list is your first tangible step:

• Passport & Birth Certificate
• Qualification Transcripts & Certificates
• Detailed Work Reference Letters
• English Test Results

With these ready, the final stage, completing health and character checks and paying the subclass 189 visa application fee, becomes a manageable task. You now have a clear plan to work toward your goal.

Conclusion 

Securing a Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa (GSM) is often considered the “gold standard” of Australian migration because it offers what every migrant wants most: total freedom. By breaking down the eligibility into clear checkpoints, Age, Occupation, and Points, with highly structured competition. While meeting the basic 65-point threshold gets your foot in the door, the reality of recent invitation rounds proves that only the most strategic and high-scoring candidates succeed.

However, self-assessment carries significant risks. A single misunderstanding of an ANZSCO code or an overestimation of your work experience points can lead to a visa refusal, costing you time, money, and potentially your chance to migrate. The gap between being “eligible” and being “invited” is often bridged by professional strategy, knowing exactly how to maximise your score or when to pivot to a state-nominated alternative like the Subclass 190.

Don’t let a calculation error cost you your Australian dream. At The Migration, we don’t just count your points; we help you maximise them to ensure you stand out in the pool. Stop guessing and start packing: Let our experts verify your eligibility before you lodge. Book your consultation with The Migration today to turn your professional potential into a permanent residency reality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a job offer to apply for the Subclass 189 visa?

No, the biggest advantage of the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa is that you do not need a job offer or sponsorship from an employer or family member.

• Independence: You are invited based entirely on your skills and points score.
• Freedom: Once approved, you can look for work in any state or territory.
• Comparison: Unlike employer-sponsored visas (like the 482), your visa status is not tied to your job.

What happens if I turn 45 while waiting for an invitation?

The age limit for the Subclass 189 visa is strict. You must be under 45 years old at the exact time you receive the invitation to apply.

• The Cut-off: If you turn 45 while your Expression of Interest (EOI) is in the pool, you automatically become ineligible.
• Strategy: If you are approaching 45, you must act immediately or consider other visa pathways that may have age exemptions (though these are rare).
• Points Drop: Remember that your points for age also decrease as you get older, potentially lowering your rank.

Is 65 points really enough to get a subclass 189 visa?

Technically, 65 points is the minimum score required to submit an EOI, but realistically, it is rarely enough to receive an invitation in popular occupations.

• Competition: You are competing against thousands of others; the government picks the highest scores first.
• Reality Check: For competitive fields like Engineering or IT, invitations often require 85, 90, or even higher points.
• Advice: Use the 65 mark as a baseline, but aim much higher by improving English scores or claiming partner points.

Can I include my family in my Subclass 189 application?

Yes, you can include your partner (spouse or de facto) and dependent children in your application.

• One Visa: If granted, your whole family receives permanent residency.
• Cost: There are additional application fees for each family member included.
• Bonus: If your partner has competent English and skills in an eligible occupation, they can actually add points to your score.

What is the main difference between the Subclass 189 and Subclass 190 visas?

The Subclass 189 is an independent federal visa, while the Subclass 190 is a state-nominated visa.

• Subclass 189: Allows you to live and work anywhere in Australia immediately.
• Subclass 190: Requires a nomination from a state government and usually commits you to live in that state for two years.