Skilled Visas

Subclass 189, 190 and 491

Skilled Independent Visas: Your Pathway to Permanent Residency

Skilled Independent Visas are designed for skilled individuals who possess qualifications and experience in occupations that are in demand in Australia. These visas offer a pathway to permanent residency, allowing individuals to live, work, and study in Australia.

Skill Visas

Skilled Independent Visas

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

The Subclass 189 visa is for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, family member, or state/territory government. It is a points-tested visa that evaluates factors such as age, skills, qualifications, and English language proficiency. Applicants require a minimum of 65 points, a positive Skills Assessment and Competent English before they can make an Expression of Interest (EOI) for this visa.

Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)

The Subclass 190 visa is a state-nominated visa that requires applicants to be sponsored by an Australian state or territory government. This visa provides an additional pathway for skilled workers to obtain permanent residency. Applicants also require a minimum of 65 points, a positive Skills Assessment and Competent English before they can make an Expression of Interest (EOI) for this visa. However, they will be awarded an additional 5 points when receiving a successful nomination.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)

The Subclass 491 visa is also a points-tested, state or territory-nominated temporary visa that allows skilled workers to live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia. Applicants who receive a successful nomination are awarded an additional 15 points. After meeting certain criteria, holders of this visa can apply for permanent residency, generally after 3 years of holding the 491 visa.

Your Immigration Journey Starts Here

At One Planet Migration Law, we understand the significance of your decision to migrate to Australia. Whether you’re seeking the independence of the 189 visa, the state sponsorship of the 190 visa, or the regional opportunities of the 491 visa, our team is here to guide you through every step of the process.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and embark on your journey to permanent residency in Australia. Let One Planet Migration Law be your trusted partner in turning your Australian dream into a reality.

Trusted by Employers Across Australia

“One Planet Migration Law brings professionalism and attention to detail that’s crucial in migration law. They understand urgency and provide clear, actionable advice to move forward with confidence.”
Michael Toby
Costa Group
“Our company has relied on Tina’s expertise in immigration law for many years, across different firms and now with One Planet Migration Law. We value the team’s attention to detail and ability to work with people from all walks of life, which is why we continue to trust them with our immigration matters.”
Juliana Jogianto
Business Owner
“We rely on One Planet for complex immigration and sponsorship matters. They are thorough, knowledgeable, and cover every scenario to ensure positive outcomes. Always professional, always approachable.”
Henriette Csano
Principal Consultant
“Faced with a unique sponsorship challenge, One Planet Migration Law guided us to a successful outcome. Their grasp of both immigration law and business realities was remarkable—clear, proactive, and client-focused.”
Tushaar Anand
Director, Cisco
“The team’s knowledge, empathy, and clarity turned what could have been a stressful immigration process into a smooth, efficient experience. Highly recommended for all employer sponsorship needs.”
Alistair Scott
Digital Trust Specialist
“One Planet Migration Law made securing skilled visas for our employees seamless. Their professionalism and deep knowledge not only supported our staff but also enabled our business to grow by bringing in the talent we needed. Highly recommended for any employer navigating migration with confidence.”
Mohit Kumar
Business Owner
Google Reviews

We believe in the power of migration.

Simplifying Immigration, Connecting Humanity.

Badges

Awards and Affiliations

Our Team Members

Joseph Sukkar, Immigration Lawyer at One Planet Migration Law

Tina Nematian

Founder & Principal Lawyer

Ivana Djoneski, Immigration Lawyer at One Planet Migration Law

Ivana Djoneski

Immigration Practice Leader

Rhel Tidoso, Immigration Case Manager at One Planet Migration Law

Joseph Sukkar

Immigration Lawyer

Simon Jeans, Special Counsel at One Planet Migration Law

Simon Jeans

Special Counsel

Rhel Tidoso

Immigration Case Manager

Maria Reglos, Immigration Team Member at One Planet Migration Law

Maria Reglos

Finance Lead

Our Locations

Enquiry form


    Ready to Move Forward?

    Whether you’re planning your own migration or growing your workforce, let us make immigration seamless for you.

    Explore More on Skilled Migration

    People Also Ask About Skilled Migration

    The three main skilled visas are Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent, no sponsor needed), Subclass 190 (State Nominated, requires state or territory nomination), and Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional, requires state nomination or family sponsorship in a regional area).

    You need a minimum of 65 points to be eligible, though competitive scores are typically 80 or above. Points are awarded for age (25-32 is the sweet spot), English ability, work experience, qualifications, and other factors like state nomination or partner skills.

    The 189 is fully independent and does not require state nomination, but competition is fierce. The 190 requires a state or territory nomination (which adds 5 points) and usually requires you to live in the nominating state for two years.

    Processing times vary. The 189 typically takes 6 to 12 months, the 190 takes 6 to 9 months, and the 491 takes 6 to 12 months. State nomination processing times are additional and vary by state.

    Yes. All skilled visa applicants must have their qualifications and experience assessed by the relevant assessing authority for their nominated occupation before lodging an Expression of Interest.

    An EOI is submitted through SkillSelect and tells the Department of Home Affairs you are interested in a skilled visa. You are then ranked by points score, and invitations are issued in regular rounds to the highest-scoring candidates.

    Yes. You can include your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children. Your partner may also contribute points to your application if they have a relevant skills assessment and English test results.

    Eligible occupations are listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) for the 189 visa, and state-specific lists for the 190 and 491 visas. These lists are updated periodically by the government.

    The 491 visa can be an excellent pathway. Regional areas often have lower competition, some states offer priority processing, and after three years on a 491 you can apply for the permanent 191 visa.

    Common strategies include improving your English score (Superior English adds 20 points), gaining more work experience, obtaining a Professional Year qualification, getting state nomination, or studying in regional Australia.

    Need help with skilled migration? Our migration lawyers are here to guide you.

    Book a Consultation
    Scroll to Top
    ×