Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

Features
This visa is for points-tested skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or family
member or nominated by a state or territory government.
It allows you to live and work in Australia as a permanent resident.
Requirements

You might be eligible to apply for this visa if invited. When we sent your letter of invitation, you
must also have:

nominated an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list

obtained a suitable skills assessment for that occupation

not yet turned 50 years of age

achieved the score specified in your letter of invitation based on the factors in the points test

at least competent English. - IELTS

The Skilled-Independent visa (subclass 189) is a permanent residence visa for points-
tested skilled workers who want to work and live in Australia.
To be able to apply for this visa you need to submit an expression of interest and then be
invited through SkillSelect to apply.
You can be in or outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted.

What needs to be done
Points 70 or more points for quicker receipt of invitation
Get your experience and education certified by ACS
Certified Statutory declaration for all employments
Certified education certificates
Certified form16/pay slips
Refer occupations lists for details

Score 8 in IELTS
Apply before you turn 32
Partner should score 6 or more in IELTS


Adobe Acrobat
Document
Adobe Acrobat
Document
Adobe Acrobat
Document
acs doc checklist anzsco - occupations
list

Check - http://www.immi.gov.au/Work/Pages/skilled-occupations-lists/csol.aspx

Police certificate
Medical examination
Bank statement (not mandatory)
Passport
Docs to prove relationship with partner/dependents


Steps
1. first submit an expression of interest (To submit a complete expression of interest, you must have
competent English language skills and a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation (or Job
Ready program, if applicable).)
2. be invited through SkillSelect. (Ull get invitation based on your points 70 or more points get you an
invitation pretty fast i.e 1-2 weeks or less)
If you receive an invitation, you will have 60 days to apply online for the visa. During that time, you
cannot change the information in your expression of interest.

if you are invited. When DIAC sent your letter of invitation, you must have:
nominated an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list
obtained a suitable skills assessment for that occupation
not yet turned 50 years of age
achieved the score specified in your letter of invitation based on the factors in the points test
at least competent English.

Visa Requirements
Health requirements
Indian citizens requirements are must
You will need to complete a medical examination, a chest x-ray and an HIV test. Additional tests
may also be requested if any of the applicants have a specific health condition see pdf
Adobe Acrobat
Document

Health Waivers - not applicable for PR
Electronic Health Processing Available from India
Find an electronic health processing clinic look for the eMedical logo next to the clinic's name in
the panel physicians list. - https://www.immi.gov.au/Help/Locations/Pages/India.aspx
For details - https://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/health-requirements/electronic-health-processing.htm


Character requirement
Meeting the character requirement for temporary and permanent migration
For the Australian Government to determine whether you are of good character, you may be asked
to provide police certificates for each country you have lived in for 12 months or more over the last
ten (10) years since turning 16.
If you are applying outside Australia, you do not have to provide this information when you apply.
You will be advised when it is required.
If you are applying in Australia, you should provide this information with your application.
Instructions for providing character-related information are included in the health and character
section of the Partner, Child, Parent and Other Family booklets which are available from Aus
Immigration website
Indian applicants - MUST
INDIA
Relevant document: Police Clearance Certificate.
Citizens
Apply in person to the Regional Passport Office.
Resident non-citizens
Apply in person to the Ministry of Home Affairs of your state of residence in India.
Non-resident citizens
Apply to the nearest Indian High Commission, consulate or embassy in your country of residence.
Non-resident non-citizens
If you are applying in Australia see: http://www.hcindia-au.org/consular_passport_visa_oci.html
If you are in another country, apply in writing to the nearest Indian High Commission or embassy in your
country of residence.
The application must include the length of your stay in India, your address in India, your personal particulars and the
reason for requiring the certificate.

Debts to the Australian Government
You must have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government or have arranged to repay any
outstanding debts to the Australian Government before this visa can be granted.

Provide biometrics not applicable for Indian citizens

Sign the Australian Values Statement
If you are 18 years of age or older, you must sign an Australian Values Statement to confirm that you
will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws. The statement is included in the visa
application form. You must have read, or had explained to you, the Life in Australia book before you
sign the statement.

Including family in your application

You can include the following people in your visa application:
your partner (married or de facto)
your or your partners dependent children
other dependent relatives.

Partner Spouse Marriage certificate
You must prove:
the relationship is genuine and continuing
your partner is at least 18 years of age when the application is lodged (there are some
exceptions)
you and your partner do not have a have a parent in common and you are not an ancestor or
descendant of one another.

For a married partner, the marriage must be legal under Australian law.

Family members must be able to show that they meet health and character requirements.
You can add your partner and dependent children to your application at any time until your visa is
decided.
Dependent child
Acceptable documents that can show a parent-child relationship include:
a certified copy of each child's birth certificate
a certified copy of adoption papers.
Your child or stepchild is considered to be dependent if any of the following apply:
they are younger than 18 years of age
they have turned 18 years of age and continue to be wholly or substantially reliant on you for
their basic needs (food, clothing and shelter)
they have a mental or physical disability that stops them from earning a living to support
themselves (whether or not they migrate with the applicant). The child can be of any age. The
child will still need to meet Australias health requirement.
A child of any age is not considered to be dependent if they are currently married, engaged to be
married or in a de facto relationship.

Newborn children
If your child is born after you lodge your application (but before it is decided), you must tell us as
soon as possible. You can do this as follows:
complete Form 1022: Notification of changes in circumstances ( 77KB PDF file)
attach a certified copy of the birth certificate to the form
mail them to the office that is processing your application.
Outside Australia: If your child is born outside Australia and either parent is an Australian citizen at
the time of the child's birth, the child may be eligible for Australian citizenship by descent.
In Australia: If your child is born in Australia, they are automatically granted the same visa you and
your partner hold at the time of the child's birth. If either parent is an Australian citizen or Australian
permanent resident at the time of the child's birth, the child may be an Australian citizen by birth.

Other dependent relative
A dependent relative must be your brother, sister, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece,
nephew or step equivalent.
For any dependent relative that you include in your visa application, you must provide evidence of
their:
relationship to you
dependency on you
relationship status (whether they are married, in a de facto relationship, divorced or separated).
This evidence includes:
a certified copy of their birth certificate and proof of their relationship to you
documents showing that the relative lives in your household
documents showing that your relative has been dependent on you for at least the 12 months
immediately before you lodge your application.
Your other relatives will be considered dependent if all of the following apply:
they do not have a spouse or de facto partner
they usually live with you
they are wholly or substantially reliant on your financial support for their basic living needs (food,
shelter and clothing)
they are more reliant on you for support than on any other person or source
they have relied on you for at least the 12 months immediately before you lodge your
application.
If your relative is divorced, legally separated or widowed, you must provide certified copies of
supporting evidence, such as:
the document of legal divorce
the document of legal separation
the death certificate of the deceased partner.


Applying for visa

Apply for this visa online through SkillSelect, using the link DIAC provided in your letter of invitation.
Invitations are based on claims that you make in your expression of interest, so your application
must include evidence to support your claims.
If you are invited to apply for this visa, you will have 60 days to apply. You can be in or outside
Australia when you lodge your application.
Prepare your documents
You need to provide documents to prove the claims you make in the application. The documents are
listed in the Document checklist.
Some documents could take some time to obtain. You should have them ready when you lodge the
application to reduce any delays in processing.
Lodge your application online
Pay the initial visa application charge by credit card when you apply.
Upload your documents through your ImmiAccount when you lodge your online application. This will
help reduce delays in processing the application.
More information


Certified docs
Unless asked to do otherwise, you should provide 'certified copies' of original documents, rather than
the original documents.
'Certified copies' have been authorised (or stamped) as being true copies of originals, by a person or
agency recognised by the law of the country in which you live. All departmental offices outside
Australia have a person who can certify or witness documents. You may have to pay for this service.
Police certificates are the exception. You must provide original police certificates with your
application.
Check the link - http://www.ag.gov.au/Publications/Pages/Statutorydeclarations.aspx

After you have applied

Outside Australia:
If you apply for this visa from outside Australia, do not make arrangements to travel to Australia until
you are advised in writing that you have been granted a visa. Wait for a decision from us before you
leave your job, sell your home or book your travel.
In Australia:
If you apply for this visa in Australia, you could be eligible for a Bridging visa that allows you to stay
in the country lawfully while your application is processed. If you are given a Bridging visa A, you can
apply for a Bridging visa B (BVB) to travel outside Australia while you wait for a decision.
You can access information on current processing times at Allocation dates for general skilled
migration applications.

Allocation Dates for General Skilled Migration
Applications
Allocation table
The tables below list the earliest lodgement dates for applications that have been allocated to case
officers. You can use this information to determine when your General Skilled Migration (GSM)
application will be allocated and to prepare your application for assessment.
This information was last updated on 31 January 2014 and the next update will occur in late
February 2014.
Effective 1 July 2012, the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection set priority processing
arrangements for certain skilled migration visas. Allocation dates outlined below reflect these priority
processing arrangements.
If you have applied for a visa that is not currently being processed (these are marked with an * in the
table below) please do not contact the department to enquire about the progress of your application.
When processing resumes you will be contacted when your application is allocated.
EARLIEST LODGEMENT DATES FOR APPLICATIONS ALLOCATED TO CASE OFFICERS
Visa Subclass Priority Group 3 Priority Group 4 Priority Group 5
189 Skilled Independent N/A Within 10 weeks of
lodgement
N/A
190 Skilled - Nominated Within 7 weeks of lodgement N/A N/A
489 Skilled - Regional Within 7 weeks of lodgement Within 10 weeks of
lodgement
N/A
175 Skilled Independent (e-
lodged)
N/A All applications
allocated
25 May 2009
175 Skilled Independent
(paper)
N/A All applications
allocated
15 September 2008
176 Skilled Sponsored (e-
lodged)
Within 8 weeks of an
approved nomination
All applications
allocated
18 January 2008*
176 Skilled Sponsored
(paper)
Within 8 weeks of an
approved nomination
All applications
allocated
8 October 2007*
475 Skilled Regional
Sponsored(e-lodged)
Within 8 weeks of an
approved nomination
All applications
allocated
28 January 2008*
475 Skilled Regional Within 8 weeks of an All applications 20 September 2007*
Sponsored (paper) approved nomination allocated
496 Skilled Designated Area
Sponsored
N/A All applications
allocated
22 August 2007*
885 Skilled Independent (e-
lodged)
N/A All applications
allocated
All applications
allocated
885 Skilled Independent
(paper)
N/A All applications
allocated
All applications
allocated
886 Skilled Sponsored
(e-lodged)
Within 8 weeks of an
approved nomination
All applications
allocated
11 December 2009*
886 Skilled Sponsored
(paper)
Within 8 weeks of an
approved nomination
All applications
allocated
13 March 2009*
487 Skilled Regional
Sponsored
(e-lodged)
Within 8 weeks of an
approved nomination
All applications
allocated
25 December 2009*
487 Skilled Regional
Sponsored (paper)
Within 8 weeks of an
approved nomination
All applications
allocated
30 June 2009*
Notes:
N/A - indicates that the relevant visa subclass is not specified for this priority group.
The department has amended the way that information is presented for Priority Group 5 to
provide a date for each subclass and lodgement method.
Where an * is included after this date then:
o The department is not currently allocating applications for this subclass.
o This date is an indication of which applications have been allocated. Any applicants who
lodged an application before this date and have not been contacted by a case officer
should be aware that the department cannot now action their application until processing
recommences for this subclass.
o Processing decisions are made in accordance with migration programme planning levels
and priority processing arrangements.

Priority
Group
Number
Application Type
1 Applications under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS).
2 Applications under the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS).
3 Nominated by a state or territory government agency for an occupation specified on that
agencys State Migration Plan (SMP).

Order of processing will be:
1. applications lodged from 1 July 2012 through SkillSelect (subclass 190 and 489
applications)
2. applications in this priority for other General Skilled Migration (GSM) subclasses
(subclass 176, 475, 487 and 886 applications).
4 Applications with nominated occupations on the Skilled Occupation List Schedule 1.
See: Skilled Occupation List (108KB PDF file)

Order of processing will be:
1. applications lodged from 1 July 2012 through SkillSelect (subclass 189 and 489
applications)
2. applications within this priority for other GSM subclasses (subclass 175, 176, 475,
487, 885 and 886 applications).
5 All other applications, which include the following
Note: These subclasses are not listed in order of processing:
1. applications for a State or Territory Sponsored visa (subclass 176, 475, 487 and
886 applications) where a state or territory approved nomination has either not been
provided or has not been accepted by the department
2. applications for a Skilled Independent visa (subclass 175 and 885 applications)
where the nominated occupation is not on the SOL
3. applications for a family sponsored skilled migration visa (subclass 176, 475, 487,
496 and 886 applications) where the nominated occupation is not on the SOL.


Processing times skilled migration applications affected by
processing priorities
The below table describes the processing times for skilled migration visa subclasses.

Priority
Group
Number
Visa Subclass Processing Time
1 RSMS
(subclass 119, 857)
Skilled Regional
Low risk 5 months
High risk 8 months
SkillSelect
(subclass 187)
6 months
2 ENS
(subclass 121, 856)
Low risk 5 months
High risk 8 months
SkillSelect
(subclass 186)
6 months
3 SMP
(subclass 176, 475, 487, 886)
12 months
SkillSelect SMP
(subclass 190 and 489)
6 months
4 Nominated Occupation on the SOL Schedule
1
(subclass 175, 495, 496, 861, 862, 863, 880,
881, 882, 883, 885 and 176, 475, 487 if not
SMP)
18 months
SkillSelect Independent and Family Sponsored 12 months
(subclass 189 and 489)
5 All visas listed in priority 3 and 4 that are not
SMP or Nominated Occupation on the SOL
Schedule 1
Assessment will commence when all
cases in priority groups 1-4 are
finalised


- Note Indian citizens belong to High risk and NOT eligible for Electronic Travel
Authority

Document checklist

At the time of invitation
You must provide evidence you met the following threshold requirements at the time of invitation.
Evidence you have at least competent English. This includes:
o evidence you are a citizen of and hold a current passport from Canada, New Zealand, the
Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America, or
o you have scored at least 6 on each of the four components of speaking, reading, listening
and writing in an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, or scored B
on each of the four components of an Occupational English Test (OET) you took in the
three years immediately before lodging your application.
If you are seeking to demonstrate proficient or superior English for the points test, you must
submit a suitable English language test result even if you hold one of the passports specified
above.
A suitable skills assessment assessed by the relevant assessing authority for your nominated
occupation from the relevant Skilled Occupation List.
You were under 50 years of age. Your personal documents are counted as evidence.
Evidence that you need to provide to support your Points Test claims made in your Expression
of Interest (EOI). Evidence you need to provide is available below. Your assessed points score
must be equal to or greater than the points score you claimed in your EOI.
State or territory Government agency nomination through SkillSelect. Note: you are not required
to provide additional evidence that you have been nominated by an Australian State or territory
Government agency.
Forms
Form 1393 Electronic application form (online form: use the link we have provided in your letter
of invitation).
Documents to show identity
Scanned colour copies of the biographical pages of the current passports or travel documents
of all people included in the application.
Recent, scanned passport-sized photograph (45 mm x 35 mm) of you and each other person
included in the application. Alternatively, digital photos can also be provided. Each photograph
should:
o be of the head and shoulders against a plain background and
o be labelled with the applicant's name.
If your name has changed or the name of anyone included in your application has changed:
o evidence of the name change.
Scanned colour copy of your birth registration, and that of all people included in the application,
showing the names of both parents. If you do not have a birth certificate, provide a certified
scanned colour copy of the identification pages of at least one of the following:
o passport
o family book showing both parents names
o identification document issued by the government
o document issued by a court that verifies the persons identity
o other acceptable evidence that you are who you claim to be.
Your family relationships
Spouse or de facto partner
If you are married or in a de facto relationship, provide evidence of a genuine and continuing
relationship with your partner at the exclusion of all others.
o If you are married provide a scanned colour copy of marriage certificate or relationship
registration for you and your partner
o For de facto relationships this should include evidence that you have been in the relationship
for at least 12 months at time of application. Evidence can include, but is not limited to, joint
bank account statements, billing accounts in joint names, other evidence of cohabitation etc).
If you or anyone included in the application has been widowed, divorced or is permanently
separated: a certified scanned colour copy of the relevant death certificate, divorce decree
absolute, or statutory declaration/separation certificate.
Children
Copies of birth certificates or the family book showing the names of both parents for each
dependent child included in the application.
For all children included in the application aged 18 years or older, provide a scanned colour
copy of:
o their full birth certificate to evidence their relationship to you
o evidence of their current or recent formal studies
o evidence of financial dependency on you
o a completed Form 47A
If any dependent child included in the application is adopted include scanned colour copies of
the adoption papers.
If you have included a child under 18 years of age in the application, and that childs other
parent is not included in the application you must provide documentary evidence that you have
the legal right to include that child in your application, such as:
o copies of official legal documents, such as a court-issued custody, access or guardianship
order;
o Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years
(125 kB PDF file). If you use this form, you will have to attach a certified copy of the other
parents government issued identification document (such as a passport or drivers licence)
with their photograph and a signature.
Other dependent relatives
For all other dependent relatives included in your application:
A completed Form 47A
evidence of the relationship between this applicant and you or your spouse (birth & marriage
certificates, etc)
evidence that this relative lives in your household
evidence your relative has been financially dependent on you for at least the 12 months
immediately before you lodge your application
if your relative has been widowed, divorced or is permanently separated a copy of any relevant
death certificate, divorce decree absolute, or statutory declaration/separation certificate.
Character requirements
Police checks for you and everyone included in your application, whether they are migrating or
not, who is at least 16 years of age. You must provide a scanned colour copy:
o of an Australian National Police Check for anyone who has spent a total of 12 months or
more in Australia since turning 16 years of age
o of police certificates from each country in which anyone in your application has spent a
total of 12 months or more in the past 10 years since turning 16 years of age.
If you or anyone included in the application has served in the armed forces of any country:
o certified scanned colour copy of military service record or discharge papers.
Family members English language proficiency
For each of your dependent applicants who are aged 18 years or older at the time of application
must provide evidence of Functional English. If the applicant does not have evidence of
having Functional English, you will need to provide a statement indicating your intention to pay
the second instalment of the visa application charge.
Points test
Evidence to support your claims made against each relevant criterion on the Points Test should be
scanned, certified where required and uploaded with your online application.
Age: Proof of age such as a copy of your birth certificate or passport. Your personal documents are
counted as evidence and in most cases you will not need to provide more documents.
English language proficiency: the results of an IELTS or OET test that you took in the three years
immediately before lodging your application. You need to ensure you are able to provide evidence of
the level of your English language ability attained at time of invitation. You will need to provide your
IELTS or OET test result as evidence of your English language ability.
You only need to provide the Test Report Form (TRF) Number that is on your IELTS certificate.
Skilled employment: evidence of working full-time in skilled employment in the 10 years before you
were invited to apply, such as:
employment references
contracts, pay slips, tax returns, group certificates
evidence that you have been self-employed
any other documents that you provided to the relevant assessing authority to obtain your skills
assessment, including any documents relating to your employment history.
Employment references must meet the following requirements:
be written on the official letterhead of the company or government department providing the
reference;
the letterhead should indicate clearly the full address of the company and any telephone, fax
numbers, e-mail and website addresses;
the name and position of the person authorised to sign the employment reference should be
typed or stamped below that persons signature;
the contact telephone number of the person writing the reference should be included in the
letter;
the letter should indicate the exact period of employment (including whether permanent or
temporary, full or part-time), position(s) held, the duties undertaken and the salary earned -
positions should not be described by generic titles (eg. research officer, public servant) but
according to the nature of the duties undertaken (eg. research chemist, accounts clerk); and
a payslip from your current employment should also be included this is especially important
from applicants working in government departments.
Qualifications: evidence of your qualifications, such as certified copies of:
degrees, diplomas, certificates and course transcripts
any other documents you provided to the relevant assessing authority to support your
qualification claims.
Australian study requirement: evidence that you have completed one or more degrees, diplomas
or trade qualifications for award by an Australian educational institution as a result of a course or
courses:
that are registered courses;
that were completed in a total of at least 16 calendar months;
that were completed as a result of a total of at least 2 academic years study;
for which all instruction was conducted in English; and
that you undertook while in Australia as the holder of a visa authorising you to study.
Credentialed community language: evidence that you have been accredited at the
paraprofessional level or above for interpreting or translating by the National Accreditation Authority
for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).
Study in regional Australia: Obtain evidence that you have lived and studied in regional
Australia/low population growth metropolitan areas:
you will need evidence of residency which spans the 2 year period this will usually include
documents such as rental agreements and gas, power and telephone bills; and
you may need to provide supplementary evidence of studying at a campus in regional Australia
or a low population growth metropolitan area if your academic transcript does not identify the
campus.
Partner skills:
your partners personal documents that prove they are under 50 years of age
evidence your partner has at least competent English at time of invitation. This includes
o evidence they are a citizen of and hold a current passport from Canada, New Zealand, the
Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America, or
o they have scored at least 6 on each of the four components of speaking, reading, listening
and writing in an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, or scored B
on each of the four components of an Occupational English Test (OET) they took in the
three years immediately before lodging your application.
a suitable skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your partners nominated
occupation (which must be on the same skilled occupations list as your nominated occupation).
Professional year in Australia: documents that prove you completed a specified professional year
of 12 months in Australia in the four years before you were invited to apply.

Points Test

Factor Description Points
Age 1824 years 25
2532 years 30
3339 years 25
4044 years 15
4549 years 0
English language ability
Test results must be no older than three
years immediately before the day on
which the visa application was made.
Competent English:
score of at least 6 on each of the four
components of speaking, reading, listening
and writing in an IELTS test, or B on each of
the four components of an OET test, or
provide evidence that you are a citizen of
and hold a passport from Canada, New
Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United
Kingdom or the United States of America
0
Proficient English: score of at least 7 on each of
the four components of speaking, reading,
listening and writing in an IELTS test, or B on
each of the four components of an OET test
10
Superior English: score of at least 8 on each of
the four components of speaking, reading,
listening and writing in an IELTS test, or A on
each of the four components of an OET test
20
Skilled employment

Only 20 points can be awarded for any
combination of skilled employment in
Outside Australia: skilled employment in your
nominated skilled occupation or a closely related
skilled occupation

In skilled employment for at least three but
and outside Australia less than five years (of the past 10 years) 5
In skilled employment for at least five but
less than eight years (of the past 10 years)
10
In skilled employment for at least eight and
up to 10 years (of the past 10 years)
15
In Australia: skilled employment in your
nominated skilled occupation or a closely related
skilled occupation

In skilled employment for at least one but
less than three years (of the past 10 years)
5
In skilled employment for at least three but
less than five years (of the past 10 years)
10
In skilled employment for at least five but
less than eight years (of the past 10 years)
15
In skilled employment for at least eight and
up to 10 years (of the past 10 years)
20
Qualifications Doctorate from an Australian educational
institution or other doctorate of a recognised
standard
20
At least a bachelor degree from an Australian
educational institution or other degree of a
recognised standard
15
Diploma or trade qualification completed in
Australia
10
An award or qualification recognised by the
assessing authority in the assessment of the
skilled occupation
10
Australian study requirement One or more degrees, diplomas or trade
qualifications awarded by an Australian
educational institution and meet the Australian
study requirement
5
Other factors Credentialled community language qualifications 5
Study in regional Australia or a low population
growth metropolitan area (excluding distance
education)
5
Partner skill qualifications 5
Professional year in Australia for at least 12
months in the four years before the day you were
invited to apply
5
Nomination/sponsorship (where
required)
Nomination by state or territory government (visa
subclass 190 only)
5
Nomination by state or territory government or
sponsorship by an eligible family member to
reside and work in a specified/designated area
(visa subclass 489 only)
10