What points do I need?

The legal minimum is published officially, but invitations typically go to higher scores that vary by round and occupation.

How long does an EOI last?

An Expression of Interest stays in SkillSelect for a published period and can be updated as your circumstances change — updating it never involves this platform.

Skilled

Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent visa

General information only — not immigration assistance or legal advice. For advice about your circumstances, book a verified practitioner.

Compiled from official Department of Home Affairs sources — practitioner verification pending.

Points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers not sponsored by an employer, state or family member. Requires an invitation through SkillSelect after an Expression of Interest, a positive skills assessment in an eligible occupation, and competitive points.

Government charge

$4,910.00

This is the government Visa Application Charge (VAC), payable directly to the Department of Home Affairs when you lodge. It is not a fee charged by this platform, and it is separate from any platform or practitioner fee. Always check the official source for the current amount.

Estimate for a family application

Additional adultsChildren (under 18)

Total VAC: $4,910.00

Arithmetic on the published government fee schedule — an estimate only, not platform fees and not advice. Always check the official estimator ↗

Official processing time

Roughly 5–12 months (50th–90th percentile; check the official figures)

Home Affairs ↗

Community-reported

Not enough community reports yet — add yours.

Toolkit — $49.00 incl. GST

Step-by-step application walkthrough for this visa
Stage-by-stage document checklist
Document vault and reminders as they roll out

This is a YourVisaSite software fee for organisational tools. It is not the government Visa Application Charge shown above, and it does not include immigration assistance or advice — for advice, book a verified practitioner.

Eligibility snapshot

In general terms: an occupation on the relevant skilled list with a positive skills assessment, age under the published limit at invitation, competent-or-better English, and enough points (age, English, experience, qualifications and more) to receive an invitation. Invitation rounds and point cut-offs move with government planning levels. General information only.

Costs

The Visa Application Charge is $4,910 for the main applicant plus $2,455 per additional adult and $1,230 per child (from 1 July 2025). Skills assessments, English tests, health checks and police certificates carry their own third-party fees. All government charges are paid in ImmiAccount, separately from any platform fee.

Frequently asked questions

Official information and lodgement

Applications are lodged through your own ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website — never through this platform.

Visit the official Home Affairs page ↗