This stream 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.

For the Skilled Independent (Points-tested) stream you need to submit an expression of interest.

If you are a New Zealand citizen you may be eligible to apply for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) (New Zealand) stream.

• have a relevant occupation on the 189 occupation list (MLTSSL)
• have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
• Lodge an EOI and be invited to apply
• meet the points test pass mark of 65 points (as of 1 July 2018)
• Be aged between 18 and 44 inclusive
• have Competent English
• be invited to apply.
• Meet health and character requirements

Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect with details of your nominated occupation, skills and qualifications. SkillSelect will estimate a points score and rank you against other intending migrants. More information about EOIs, including invitation rounds and occupation ceilings, is available.

If you are ranked high enough and there are places available for your nominated occupation, you will be invited to apply for the visa.

If you are invited, you have 60 calendar days to apply for the visa.

Your occupation must be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations.

You must have a skills assessment that shows you have the skills and qualifications to work in that occupation.

You must be able to meet the points score on your invitation letter. This score will be 65 points (as of 1 July 2018) or more.

The score on your invitation letter is based on the information in your EOI.

You must be able to meet the points score eligibility at the time you are invited to apply for the visa.

Everyone who wants to be invited to apply for the visa must submit an EOI. When you submit your EOI you will be ranked against other intending applicants and might be invited to apply for the visa (your EOI will stay in the pool for up to 2 years).  There is no cost to submit an EOI.

• English language ability
• Skilled employment
• Qualifications
• Australian study requirement
• Specialist education requirement
• Partner points
• Other factors

You can be in or outside Australia when you submit your EOI. You can either be in Australia or overseas when you apply for a Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa. To be able to lodge from within Australia, you would need to hold a substantive visa or a Bridging A, B or C visa. Once you apply from within Australia, you will receive a bridging visa allowing you to remain in Australia during processing of your visa application. If your current visa is refused or cancelled you might not be eligible to apply for the 189 visa while you were in Australia.

Use the assessing authority listed against your nominated occupation in the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations.

This is a permanent visa. It lets you:

From AUD 4,045

You might have to pay additional costs.

Currently, Australia is completely open to migration, especially for offshore candidate. Few of the states sponsored applicants with certain conditions like having occupation listed in the critical skill list and staying onshore.

There are more than 4 lakhs job vacancies in more than 15 sectors.  The top in demand occupations and average annual salaries paid are given below

This is a permanent visa – it lasts indefinitely.

The visa starts on the date it is granted.

You can include your partner and your or your partner’s child or step-child in your application.

Family members who are granted the visa have the same rights and can do the same things as you.

You can travel in and out of Australia as many times as you want for five years after the visa is granted.

Here at Elixir Group we are experienced in managing general skilled visa applications, and can help you with:

• Obtaining your skills assessment
• Preparing your relative sponsorship application
• Lodging and monitoring your visa application
• Correspondence with skills assessing authorities and the Department of Immigration until grant
• Managing your bridging visas for yourself and family members

Please book an immigration consultation if you like a personalised eligibility assessment of your Skilled independent Subclass 189 visa application.