Subclass 189- Skilled Independent Visa

Points Tested Stream The points tested stream of the subclass 189 visa allows highly skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, State or Territory of Australia, or family member to live and work permanently in Australia. If you wish to apply for this visa, you must first obtain a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation, and then lodge an Expression of Interest. If this is successful, you will be invited to lodge a visa application.

The minimum requirements of the points tested stream of this visa are set out below:

At the time that you are invited to apply for this visa, you must:

• be under 45 years of age
• nominate an occupation that is included on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
• have your skills assessed by the appropriate Australian skills assessing authority as suitable for your nominated occupation
• have competent English i.e.
  • hold a valid passport issued by the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland (and you are a citizen of that country) OR
  • an IELTS test score of at least 6 in EACH test component OR
  • an OET test score of at least B in EACH test component OR
  • a TOEFL iBT test score of at least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking OR
  • a PTE test score of at least 50 in EACH test component OR
  • a CAE test score of at least 169 in EACH test component

• score at least 65 on the relevant points test (which takes into account your age, English competency, qualifications and work experience, amongst other factors)