You might wonder if scoring 90 points is enough to get a 189 visa in Australia’s competitive immigration system. The answer isn’t simple.
The minimum requirement stands at 65 points on paper, but the situation looks very different now. Most high-demand jobs like accounting, engineering, and IT need 85-90 points before you’ll get an invitation. The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) competition has grown fierce. Recent trends show many occupations need 90-95 points at minimum.
This visa attracts many people because it leads to permanent residency without needing an employer’s support. Australian citizenship becomes possible after five years. The biggest problem is that applicants outnumber the available spots by a large margin. Immigration authorities publish monthly updates about required points for 189 visa invitations. The process usually takes 8-10 months to complete. This piece will help you understand the Subclass 189 visa requirements and show whether your 90 points can turn your Australian dream into reality.
Understanding the Subclass 189 Visa
The Skilled Independent Subclass 189 visa is the life-blood of Australia’s general skilled migration programme. This visa is different from other paths to Australian residency and is a chance for qualified people to build their future in Australia.
What is the 189 visa Australia offers?
The Subclass 189 visa is a points-tested permanent visa that skilled workers can get without sponsorship from an Australian employer, family member, or state/territory nomination. You’ll receive permanent residency status right after it’s granted, so you can stay in Australia indefinitely. The visa has a travel component that stays valid for 5 years after approval.
The main applicant must pay an application fee starting at AUD4,765. Your family members will need to pay extra if they’re part of your application. Most applications take 8-10 months to process, but this depends on your situation.
Who is eligible to apply?
You must meet these requirements to qualify for the Subclass 189 visa:
- Your age should be under 45 when you get an invitation to apply
- You need at least 65 points on the points test
- Your occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list
- You should have a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation
- You must prove at least competent English language skills
- You should meet health and character requirements
- You need an invitation to apply after submitting your Expression of Interest (EOI)
Your family members on the application must also meet health and character requirements. The visa can include your spouse/partner, dependent children, and sometimes other dependent relatives.
How it is different from other skilled visas
The biggest difference with the 189 visa is the freedom it gives you. You can live and work anywhere in Australia without restrictions, unlike state-nominated or employer-sponsored visas. You won’t need to stay in one region or work for a specific employer.
The 189 visa has many advantages over other skilled migration paths. Here’s what you get:
- Permanent residence status as soon as it’s granted
- Freedom to work anywhere in Australia
- Medicare and healthcare benefits
- Education options for you and your children
- Knowing how to sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
- A way to become an Australian citizen (usually after four years)
Independent professionals with in-demand skills find this visa attractive because it doesn’t need sponsorship. The competition is tough though, so you’ll need more points to qualify.
How the Points System Works
The skilled migration process to Australia relies heavily on its points system. Your Subclass 189 visa application success depends on understanding this system well.
Minimum points for 189 visa explained
A valid Expression of Interest (EOI) requires at least 65 points according to the Department of Home Affairs. This baseline score lets you submit your application. However, meeting just the minimum score doesn’t mean you’ll receive an invitation.
How many points do you need for 189 visa realistically?
Reality paints a different picture than the official 65-point minimum. Most candidates need 85-95 points to get an invitation. Accountants and Software Engineers typically need 95 points, while Civil Engineers need 85 points. These requirements change based on occupation limits and the number of applicants.
Breakdown of points for age, English, education, and work
Points come from several key categories:
Age: Maximum 30 points (25-32 years)
- 18-24 years: 25 points
- 25-32 years: 30 points
- 33-39 years: 25 points
- 40-44 years: 15 points
English proficiency: Up to 20 points
- Competent: 0 points
- Proficient: 10 points
- Superior: 20 points
Work experience: Maximum 20 points combined
- Overseas experience (3-5 years): 5 points
- Overseas experience (8+ years): 15 points
- Australian experience (1-3 years): 5 points
- Australian experience (8+ years): 20 points
Education: Up to 20 points
- Doctorate: 20 points
- Bachelor degree: 15 points
- Diploma: 10 points
How partner skills and regional study add points
Your application can get a boost from your partner’s qualifications. They can add 10 points by meeting age, English, and skills requirements. Your partner’s competent English skills alone can add 5 points.
Regional study can boost your score by 5 points. This applies when you complete a qualification at an Australian institution in a designated regional area. You’ll need to study for at least 16 calendar months spread across two academic years.
Is 90 Points Enough for 189 Visa?
The latest invitation rounds show that scoring 90 points might not get you a Subclass 189 visa for many occupations. Recent data helps you understand your chances of getting an invitation.
Recent invitation trends and cut-off scores
SkillSelect issued 15,000 invitations for the Subclass 189 visa in November 2024. Most applicants need at least 80 points to get an invitation, with minimum points varying by occupation.
Different occupations have distinct cut-off scores:
- Trades and construction (Carpenters, Bricklayers): 65-70 points
- Healthcare roles (Nurses, Midwives): 70-75 points
- Engineering fields: 85-90 points
- IT and accounting professions: 95-100 points
Occupation ceilings and their effect
Occupation ceilings limit the number of invitations for specific jobs each programme year, which affects your chances of getting an invitation. Your occupation’s ceiling determines whether 90 points will be enough.
Occupations with smaller quotas often become “pro-rata” occupations. These jobs need higher points for an invitation. Other occupations share the general invitation pool with different competitive dynamics. Even with a higher ceiling, you must score more points than other applicants.
Why 90 points may or may not be enough
Most occupations now need 90-95 points for an invitation. Your success with 90 points depends on:
- Your nominated occupation: IT professionals, accountants, and engineers usually need 95+ points. Trades and healthcare roles might get invitations with 70-85 points.
- Competition levels: The 189 visa ranks applicants by scores. Higher scores get priority. When scores are equal, earlier submission dates get preference.
- Monthly fluctuations: Programme targets and available places change the number of invitations each round.
High-demand occupations like ICT Business Analysts, Software Engineers, and Accountants need more than 90 points. However, trades and some healthcare roles find 90 points more than enough to meet requirements.
The 189 Visa Application Process
The Subclass 189 visa application follows a systematic four-step process. You need proper preparation at each stage. Understanding these steps is vital whatever your points total might be.
Step 1: Skills assessment
You must get a positive skills assessment from the authority that matches your occupation. Your assessment needs to be valid when you receive an invitation and obtained within 3 years before your invitation date. IT professionals need assessment from the Australian Computer Society, while engineers require Engineers Australia certification. Medical practitioners can use their registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency instead. Legal professionals can use their admission to practise in an Australian state or territory as a skills assessment.
Step 2: Expression of Interest (EOI)
You must submit an EOI through SkillSelect to show your interest in applying. At this stage:
- Your documents must exist before submission but don’t need uploading
- Your score must reach at least 65 points to qualify
- Your EOI stays valid for two years
- You can update your EOI any time before getting an invitation
Step 3: Invitation to Apply (ITA)
Your submitted EOI puts you in a pool of applicants. The Department picks candidates based on points scores and occupation demand during monthly invitation rounds. Selected candidates receive an Invitation to Apply with an indicative points score. This invitation lasts only 60 days without extensions. You must prove you meet the points score shown in your invitation.
Step 4: Visa application and grant
The 60-day timeframe starts after your invitation. You must submit your application through ImmiAccount. This process includes:
- Logging into SkillSelect and clicking ‘Apply for visa’
- Creating an ImmiAccount (separate from SkillSelect)
- Uploading supporting documents
- Paying the application fee
Processing takes 7-12 months based on individual circumstances. The Department checks your health, character, and eligibility before making their final decision.
Conclusion
Getting through the Subclass 189 visa system needs a good look at your specific situation. A score of 90 points might look good compared to the basic requirement of 65 points. The real cutoff points change substantially based on your job type. Evidence shows that competitive fields like IT, accounting, and engineering need 95+ points to get an invitation.
Your choice of occupation decides if 90 points are enough. Healthcare workers and tradespeople might get invitations with 70-85 points. IT specialists and accountants face tougher competition.
The timing of your EOI submission makes a huge difference. People with equal points get ranked by their submission date. Submitting early could mean getting an invitation instead of waiting for the next round.
Keeping up with current invitation trends is essential. The Department updates cut-off scores regularly. These scores change based on occupation limits and overall migration targets. That’s why you should check the latest invitation round results before you lock in your strategy.
The 189 visa gives you great benefits with unrestricted work rights and immediate permanent residency. This explains why competition has grown despite tough point requirements. Your best bet is to maximise points wherever you can – through better English scores, more qualifications, or professional year programmes.
You should get ready properly for each application stage. A good skills assessment, correct EOI submission, quick response to invitations, and detailed documentation will help your chances whatever your points total.
The road to Australian permanent residency through the 189 visa isn’t easy. A realistic understanding of the points system helps you make smart choices about your migration path.