Australian Skilled Migration 189/190/491 Visa
No Employer Sponsorship Required, Direct PR Pathway | Led by Australian Registered Migration Lawyers | 95%+ Success Rate
🎯 No Employer Sponsorship Required
⚡ Get PR in 6 Months
💯 95%+ Success Rate
What is Australian Skilled Migration?
What is Australian Skilled Migration?
Australian Skilled Migration is an immigration pathway established by the Australian government to attract talented professionals from around the world. It is designed for applicants with professional skills, work experience, and strong English proficiency. The core advantage of Skilled Migration is that no employer sponsorship is required – applicants can apply directly for Australian Permanent Residency (PR) based on their own qualifications and experience.
Australian Skilled Migration includes three main visa types:
• 189 Skilled Independent Visa: No state nomination or employer sponsorship required. Applicants can apply based solely on their own qualifications and can live and work anywhere in Australia after approval.
• 190 Skilled Nominated Visa: Requires nomination from an Australian state or territory. After approval, applicants must live and work in the nominating state for at least 2 years.
• 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa: Requires nomination from a regional Australian state or territory. After approval, applicants must live and work in a regional area for at least 3 years, after which they can apply for the 191 Permanent Residence visa.
Core Advantages of Australian Skilled Migration
1 No Employer Sponsorship Required: Unlike the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme, Skilled Migration does not require finding an Australian employer. Applicants can apply directly based on their skills and qualifications, significantly reducing application difficulty and uncertainty.
2 Direct PR Pathway: Both 189 and 190 visas grant Australian Permanent Residency (PR) directly upon approval, without the need for a temporary visa first. The entire family can immediately enjoy Australia's education, healthcare, and social welfare benefits.
3 Family Migration: The main applicant's spouse and unmarried children under 25 can apply together. Upon approval, the entire family can live, work, and study in Australia.
4 Wide Range of Occupations: The Australian Skilled Occupation List (SOL) covers over 200 occupations, including IT, engineering, accounting, nursing, teaching, architecture, design, and many other fields.
5 Fast Processing: Processing times are typically 6-12 months for 189 visas, 8-14 months for 190 visas, and 8-12 months for 491 visas – faster than many other migration pathways.
6 Cost-Effective: Skilled Migration application fees are relatively low: approximately AUD 4,000 for the main applicant, AUD 2,000 for spouse, and AUD 1,000 for children, with no investment or donation required.
Australian Skilled Migration Eligibility Requirements
Basic Requirements (Common to 189/190/491):
1 Occupation on Skilled Occupation List: The applicant's occupation must be on the Australian Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and must pass assessment by the relevant skills assessing authority.
2 Age Requirement: Must be under 45 years old when submitting EOI (submit before 45th birthday).
3 English Language Requirement:
◦ 189 visa: IELTS 6.0 in all four components or equivalent (PTE, TOEFL, OET)
◦ 190 visa: IELTS 6.0 in all four components or equivalent
◦ 491 visa: IELTS 6.0 in all four components or equivalent
◦ Higher English scores can earn additional points (IELTS 7.0 in all four = 10 points, 8.0 in all four = 20 points)
4 EOI Points Requirement:
◦ 189 visa: Usually requires 85-90+ points (depending on occupation and invitation round)
◦ 190 visa: Usually requires 75-85+ points (including 5 points for state nomination)
◦ 491 visa: Usually requires 65-75+ points (including 15 points for regional nomination)
5 Health and Character Requirements: Must pass health examination and provide police clearance certificates.
Additional Requirements for 190 State Nomination:
• Obtain nomination from an Australian state or territory (requirements vary by state)
• Commit to living and working in the nominating state for at least 2 years
Additional Requirements for 491 Regional Nomination:
• Obtain nomination from a regional Australian state or territory (requirements vary by state)
• Commit to living and working in a regional area for at least 3 years
• Can apply for 191 PR visa after 3 years
EOI Points System Explained
Australian Skilled Migration uses an EOI (Expression of Interest) points system. Applicants are scored based on age, English proficiency, work experience, qualifications, and other factors. Higher scores increase the chances of receiving an invitation.
Strategies to Increase EOI Points:
1 Improve English Scores: Improving from IELTS 6.0 to 7.0 adds 10 points, to 8.0 adds 20 points
2 Accumulate Work Experience: Both overseas and Australian work experience earn points – longer experience = more points
3 Obtain Australian Qualifications: Completing 2+ years of study in Australia adds 5 points
4 Pass Community Language Test (NAATI): Passing NAATI translation test adds 5 points
5 Complete Professional Year: Accounting, IT, and Engineering professionals can add 5 points through Professional Year
6 Partner Points: If partner also meets skilled migration criteria, can add 5-10 points
7 Choose State or Regional Nomination: 190 adds 5 points, 491 adds 15 points
Australian Skilled Migration Application Process
Step 1: Skills Assessment (1-3 months)
• Confirm occupation is on the Skilled Occupation List
• Prepare skills assessment documents (qualifications, work experience evidence, etc.)
• Submit application to relevant assessing authority
• Obtain positive skills assessment
Step 2: English Language Test (1-3 months)
• Take IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, or OET exam
• Achieve minimum English requirement (IELTS 6.0 in all or equivalent)
• Aim for higher scores to earn additional points
Step 3: EOI Points Calculation and Submission (Immediate)
• Calculate EOI points based on your qualifications
• Submit EOI through SkillSelect system
• Select visa type (189/190/491)
• Wait for invitation
Step 4: Receive Invitation (1-12 months)
• Department of Home Affairs conducts monthly invitation rounds
• Invitations issued based on occupation and points
• 60 days to lodge formal visa application after receiving invitation
Step 5: Lodge Visa Application (Within 60 days)
• Prepare complete visa application documents
• Pay visa application fee
• Submit online visa application
• Upload all supporting documents
Step 6: Health Examination and Police Clearance (1-2 months)
• Complete health examination as required by Department of Home Affairs
• Provide police clearance certificates from all countries of residence
• Upload health and character documents
Step 7: Application Processing (6-14 months)
• Department of Home Affairs processes visa application
• May request additional documents or conduct phone verification
• Keep contact details current
Step 8: Visa Grant and Arrival (Immediate)
• Receive visa grant notification
• Arrive in Australia before initial entry date
• Activate permanent residency status and begin new life in Australia
Why Choose PremierVisa?
1 Led by Australian Registered Migration Lawyers: Our team is led by registered Australian migration lawyers (MARA Registration: LPN5512623) with LLM (Master of Laws) degrees in Australian law, ensuring every case is personally supervised by professional lawyers.
2 95%+ Success Rate: With 20 years of Australian migration experience and over 3,000 successful cases, our 95%+ success rate far exceeds the industry average.
3 Most Skilled Migration Success Cases in Asia: We have the most 189/190/491 success cases in Asia, covering IT, engineering, accounting, nursing, teaching, and many other occupational fields.
4 Free Assessment and EOI Points Calculation: We provide free skilled migration assessment and EOI points calculation services to help you accurately understand your migration prospects.
5 Skills Assessment and English Training Support: We assist with skills assessment applications and provide English exam training and score improvement strategies.
6 Fully Transparent Service: From skills assessment to visa grant, we provide transparent updates throughout the process and keep you informed of application progress.
7 Appeal After Refusal and DIY Failure Turnaround Strategies: If you have previously been refused or failed a DIY application, we can help analyze the reasons, develop turnaround strategies, and resubmit your application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What are the eligibility requirements for Australian Skilled Migration?
Answer: Australian Skilled Migration eligibility requirements include:
1 Occupation Requirement: Occupation must be on the Australian Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and pass assessment by the relevant assessing authority
2 Age Requirement: Must be under 45 years old when submitting EOI
3 English Requirement: IELTS 6.0 in all four components or equivalent (PTE, TOEFL, OET)
4 EOI Points Requirement: 189 visa usually requires 85-90+ points, 190 visa requires 75-85+ points (including 5 points for state nomination), 491 visa requires 65-75+ points (including 15 points for regional nomination)
5 Health and Character Requirements: Must pass health examination and provide police clearance certificates
Q2: What are the differences between 189, 190, and 491 visas?
Answer: The main differences between 189, 190, and 491 visas are:
• 189 Skilled Independent Visa: No state nomination or employer sponsorship required. Applicants can apply based solely on their own qualifications and can live and work anywhere in Australia after approval, but requires highest EOI points (usually 85-90+)
• 190 Skilled Nominated Visa: Requires nomination from an Australian state or territory, adds 5 points to EOI, must live and work in nominating state for at least 2 years after approval, requires moderate EOI points (usually 75-85+)
• 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa: Requires nomination from a regional Australian state or territory, adds 15 points to EOI, must live and work in regional area for at least 3 years after approval, can convert to 191 PR after 3 years, requires lowest EOI points (usually 65-75+)
Q3: How is the EOI points score calculated for Australian Skilled Migration?
Answer: Australian Skilled Migration EOI points are calculated based on the following factors:
6 Age: 25-32 years earns maximum 30 points, 18-24 and 33-39 years earn 25 points, 40-44 years earn 15 points
7 English Proficiency: IELTS 6.0 in all = 0 points, 7.0 in all = 10 points, 8.0 in all = 20 points
8 Work Experience: Overseas work experience 3-4 years = 5 points, 5-7 years = 10 points, 8+ years = 15 points; Australian work experience 1-2 years = 5 points, 3-4 years = 10 points, 5-7 years = 15 points, 8+ years = 20 points
9 Qualifications: PhD = 20 points, Bachelor/Master = 15 points, Diploma or trade qualification = 10 points
10 Other Points: Australian study = 5 points, STEM qualification = 10 points, partner skills = 5-10 points, state nomination = 5 points, regional nomination = 15 points, community language (NAATI) = 5 points, Professional Year = 5 points
Q4: How long does Australian Skilled Migration take?
Answer: The overall timeline for Australian Skilled Migration depends on visa type and applicant preparation:
• Skills Assessment: 1-3 months (depending on assessing authority and occupation)
• English Language Test: 1-3 months (depending on applicant's English level and preparation time)
• EOI Invitation Wait: 1-12 months (depending on occupation, points, and invitation rounds – popular occupations and high-score applicants wait less time)
• Visa Processing Time: 189 visa 6-12 months, 190 visa 8-14 months, 491 visa 8-12 months
• Overall Timeline: From initial preparation to visa grant, typically 12-24 months
Q5: What are the costs for Australian Skilled Migration?
Answer: Australian Skilled Migration costs include:
11 Skills Assessment Fee: Depending on assessing authority and occupation, typically AUD 500-1,500
12 English Language Test Fee: IELTS approximately AUD 330, PTE approximately AUD 330, TOEFL approximately AUD 300
13 Visa Application Fee (charged by Department of Home Affairs):
◦ Main applicant: AUD 4,640
◦ Spouse: AUD 2,320
◦ Child (under 18): AUD 1,160
◦ Child (18+): AUD 2,320
14 Health Examination Fee: Approximately AUD 300-500 per person
15 Police Clearance Fee: Varies by country, typically AUD 50-200 per person
16 Professional Service Fee: Based on service agreement, includes skills assessment assistance, EOI points calculation, document preparation, visa application, and ongoing support
Q6: Is my occupation on the Skilled Occupation List?
Answer: The Australian Skilled Occupation List (SOL) covers over 200 occupations, including:
• IT: Software Engineer, Systems Analyst, Network Engineer, Database Administrator, Cybersecurity Specialist, etc.
• Engineering: Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Chemical Engineer, Mining Engineer, etc.
• Accounting: Accountant, Auditor, Tax Accountant, Management Accountant, etc.
• Healthcare: Registered Nurse, General Practitioner, Medical Specialist, Dentist, Pharmacist, Physiotherapist, etc.
• Education: Secondary Teacher, Primary Teacher, Early Childhood Teacher, Special Education Teacher, etc.
• Architecture: Architect, Landscape Architect, Urban Planner, Surveyor, etc.
• Design: Graphic Designer, Interior Designer, Multimedia Designer, etc.
Q7: How can I increase my EOI points score?
Answer: Strategies to increase EOI points include:
17 Improve English Scores: Improving from IELTS 6.0 to 7.0 adds 10 points, to 8.0 adds 20 points. Consider taking PTE exam, which is relatively easier to achieve high scores
18 Accumulate Work Experience: Both overseas and Australian work experience earn points – longer experience = more points. Try to accumulate more work experience before submitting EOI
19 Obtain Australian Qualifications: Completing 2+ years of study in Australia adds 5 points, STEM Master or PhD adds additional 10 points
20 Pass Community Language Test (NAATI): Passing NAATI translation test adds 5 points, suitable for Chinese native speakers
21 Complete Professional Year: Accounting, IT, and Engineering professionals can add 5 points through Professional Year
22 Partner Points: If partner also meets skilled migration criteria (skills assessment, IELTS 6.0), can add 5 points; if partner has IELTS 6.0 but no skills assessment, can add 5 points
23 Choose State or Regional Nomination: 190 adds 5 points, 491 adds 15 points, significantly reducing EOI points requirement
Q8: Can I include family members in my Australian Skilled Migration application?
Answer: Yes, Australian Skilled Migration visas allow the main applicant to include spouse and children:
• Spouse: Includes legal spouse (married) or de facto partner (living together for at least 12 months). Spouse can apply together with main applicant, and upon approval enjoys same permanent residency rights, can work, study, and access welfare in Australia
• Children: Includes children under 18, full-time students aged 18-23, and children 23+ who cannot live independently due to physical or mental disability. Children can apply together with main applicant, and upon approval can attend Australian public schools for free (from primary to high school)
• Important Note: Spouse and children must be included in the main applicant's visa application at submission, or added before visa grant. If you want to bring family members after visa grant, they must apply for separate visas, which is more complex and time-consuming
Q9: What EOI points score is required for the 189 visa?
Answer: The EOI points requirement for 189 Skilled Independent Visa depends on occupation and invitation rounds, typically requiring 85-90+ points to receive an invitation. Popular occupations (such as IT, Accounting, Engineering) require higher points, usually 90-95+. Less popular occupations have relatively lower requirements, possibly 80-85 points.
Recent Invitation Round Points Reference:
• Accountant: Usually requires 95+ points
• Software Engineer: Usually requires 90+ points
• Registered Nurse: Usually requires 85+ points
• Civil Engineer: Usually requires 85-90 points
• Secondary Teacher: Usually requires 85+ points
If your EOI points don't meet 189 visa requirements, consider 190 state nomination (adds 5 points) or 491 regional nomination (adds 15 points).
Q10: How do I apply for the 190 State Nominated visa?
Answer: The 190 Skilled Nominated visa requires nomination from an Australian state or territory. Application process:
24 Choose Nominating State: Different states have different requirements for occupation, work experience, and English scores. Choose a suitable state based on your qualifications. Popular nominating states include New South Wales (NSW), Victoria (VIC), Queensland (QLD), South Australia (SA), Western Australia (WA), etc.
25 Submit EOI: Submit EOI through SkillSelect system and select your preferred state
26 Receive State Nomination Invitation: If you meet the state's requirements, the state government will issue a nomination invitation
27 Lodge State Nomination Application: After receiving state nomination invitation, lodge state nomination application within specified timeframe (usually 14 days) and pay state nomination fee (usually AUD 300-500)
28 Receive State Nomination Approval: State government processes nomination application, usually takes 4-8 weeks
29 Receive Visa Invitation: After state nomination approval, receive visa invitation from Department of Home Affairs
30 Lodge Visa Application: After receiving visa invitation, lodge formal visa application within 60 days
Important Note: After 190 visa grant, must live and work in nominating state for at least 2 years, after which can freely choose to live and work anywhere in Australia.
Q11: How do I convert 491 visa to 191 Permanent Residence visa?
Answer: The 491 Skilled Work Regional visa is a 5-year temporary visa. Holders must live and work in a regional area for at least 3 years before applying for 191 PR visa.
191 PR Visa Eligibility Requirements:
31 Hold 491 visa for at least 3 years: Calculated from 491 visa grant date, must hold for at least 3 years
32 Live in regional area for at least 3 years: Must prove actual residence in regional area for at least 3 years (can be proven through rental agreements, utility bills, etc.)
33 Work in regional area for at least 3 years: Must prove work in regional area for at least 3 years with annual income meeting minimum requirement (currently AUD 53,900)
34 Comply with 491 visa conditions: During 491 visa period, must not violate visa conditions
191 Visa Advantages:
• No need to redo skills assessment
• No need to recalculate EOI points
• No state nomination required
• Fast processing time (usually 6-12 months)
• After grant, can live and work anywhere in Australia with no residence or work restrictions
Q12: Do I need to provide work experience evidence for Australian Skilled Migration?
Answer: Yes, Australian Skilled Migration requires work experience evidence to earn EOI points for work experience. Work experience evidence includes:
35 Reference Letter: Issued by employer, must include company letterhead, company contact details, job title, job duties, employment period, salary, and be signed and stamped by employer
36 Payslips: Provide payslips from employment period to prove actual work and income
37 Tax Returns: Provide tax returns from employment period to prove legal tax payment
38 Employment Contract: Provide employment contract signed with employer
39 Social Security Records: If applicable, provide social security payment records
Important Notes:
• Work experience must be highly relevant to nominated occupation to earn points
• Work experience must be after obtaining relevant qualifications (e.g., work experience after Bachelor degree graduation)
• Part-time work experience calculated proportionally (e.g., 20 hours per week part-time work for 2 years = 1 year full-time work experience)
Q13: How long does skills assessment take for Australian Skilled Migration?
Answer: Skills assessment time for Australian Skilled Migration depends on assessing authority and occupation, typically 1-3 months. Different assessing authorities have different processing times:
• ACS (Australian Computer Society): IT occupations, usually 4-8 weeks
• Engineers Australia: Engineering occupations, usually 8-12 weeks
• CPA Australia / CA ANZ / IPA: Accounting occupations, usually 4-8 weeks
• ANMAC (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council): Nursing occupations, usually 8-12 weeks
• AITSL (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership): Teaching occupations, usually 10-12 weeks
• VETASSESS: Other occupations, usually 10-12 weeks
Tips to Speed Up Skills Assessment:
• Prepare complete documents in advance to avoid delays from supplementary documents
• Choose fast-track service (if assessing authority offers it)
• Ensure all documents meet assessing authority requirements
Q14: Can I reapply after Australian Skilled Migration refusal?
Answer: Yes, you can reapply after Australian Skilled Migration refusal, but you must first analyze the refusal reasons and improve your application accordingly.
Common Refusal Reasons:
40 Skills Assessment Failure: Work experience doesn't match nominated occupation, or qualifications don't meet requirements
41 Insufficient EOI Points: EOI points calculation error, or insufficient supporting evidence
42 Incomplete or False Documents: Missing key documents, or providing false information
43 Health or Character Issues: Failed health examination, or criminal record
44 English Score Below Requirement: English score doesn't meet minimum requirement
Reapplication Strategies:
45 Analyze Refusal Reasons: Carefully read refusal letter to understand specific reasons
46 Improve Application Documents: Address refusal reasons by supplementing or improving documents
47 Increase EOI Points: Improve English scores, accumulate work experience, obtain Australian qualifications, etc.
48 Seek Professional Help: Contact professional migration lawyers or agents to develop turnaround strategies
PremierVisa has extensive experience with refusal appeals and DIY failure turnarounds. We can help analyze refusal reasons, develop reapplication strategies, and improve success rates.
Q15: Why choose PremierVisa for Skilled Migration?
Answer: Choosing PremierVisa for Australian Skilled Migration provides the following advantages:
49 Led by Australian Registered Migration Lawyers: Our team is led by registered Australian migration lawyers (MARA Registration: LPN5512623) with LLM (Master of Laws) degrees in Australian law, ensuring every case is personally supervised by professional lawyers
50 95%+ Success Rate: With 20 years of Australian migration experience and over 3,000 successful cases, our 95%+ success rate far exceeds the industry average
51 Most Skilled Migration Success Cases in Asia: We have the most 189/190/491 success cases in Asia, covering IT, engineering, accounting, nursing, teaching, and many other occupational fields
52 Free Assessment and EOI Points Calculation: We provide free skilled migration assessment and EOI points calculation services to help you accurately understand your migration prospects
53 Skills Assessment and English Training Support: We assist with skills assessment applications and provide English exam training and score improvement strategies
54 Fully Transparent Service: From skills assessment to visa grant, we provide transparent updates throughout the process and keep you informed of application progress
55 Appeal After Refusal and DIY Failure Turnaround Strategies: If you have previously been refused or failed a DIY application, we can help analyze the reasons, develop turnaround strategies, and resubmit your application
