Subclass 189 Skilled Independent — points test analysis + EOI strategy

Subclass 189 Skilled Independent is the most competitive Australian PR pathway. NO sponsorship required. Selection from SkillSelect EOI pool based on points (max 130).

2024-2026 invitation cutoffs typically:
  • Most occupations: 90-95 points
  • Pro-rata occupations (accountants, engineers, IT): 95-100 points
  • Some high-demand health occupations: 65-75 points (lower cutoff)

Build a points analysis + EOI strategy for [CLIENT_NAME] for nominated occupation [OCCUPATION].

§1 — ELIGIBILITY BASELINE (130-160 words)

R189 requires:
  (a) Aged under 45 at invitation date
  (b) Nominated occupation on the Skilled Occupation List for 189 (verify current CSOL inclusion)
  (c) Skills assessment positive from relevant assessing authority
  (d) Competent English (PTE 50+ / IELTS 6.0+ each band) MINIMUM; Proficient (PTE 65+/IELTS 7.0+) commonly required for points
  (e) Achieve EOI cutoff for nominated occupation (varies — typically 90+ points)
  (f) Health (PIC 4007) + character (PIC 4001)

For [CLIENT_NAME] age [AGE]:
  • Confirm under 45 (deadline-driven if approaching 45)
  • Verify [OCCUPATION] on Subclass 189 SOL
  • Skills assessment from [ASSESSING_AUTHORITY] required

§2 — POINTS TEST CALCULATION (350-450 words)

A. AGE (max 30):
  18-24: 25
  25-32: 30
  33-39: 25
  40-44: 15
  45+: 0 (ineligible)

For [AGE]: calculate.

B. ENGLISH LANGUAGE (max 20):
  Competent (PTE 50-64 / IELTS 6.0): 0
  Proficient (PTE 65-78 / IELTS 7.0): 10
  Superior (PTE 79+ / IELTS 8.0+): 20

For [PTE_IELTS]: map to band level.

C. SKILLED WORK EXPERIENCE (max 20 overseas + 20 Australian):

Overseas (max 15):
  Less than 3 years: 0
  3-4 years: 5
  5-7 years: 10
  8+ years: 15

Australian (max 20):
  Less than 1 year: 0
  1-2 years: 5
  3-4 years: 10
  5-7 years: 15
  8+ years: 20

For [WORK_EXPERIENCE_YEARS]: split between overseas + Australian; calculate.

D. EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION (max 20):
  Doctorate: 20
  Bachelor degree (incl. honours, 4-year) OR Master's coursework: 15
  Diploma OR trade qualification (Australian) OR equivalent: 10
  Award / qualification recognised by assessing authority: 10

For none + [OVERSEAS_QUALIFICATION]: pick highest single qualification (cannot stack).

E. AUSTRALIAN STUDY REQUIREMENT (max 5):
  Australian degree / diploma / trade qualification (≥2 years CRICOS): 5

For none if completed in Australia: 5.

F. SPECIALIST EDUCATION (max 10):
  Master's by research OR PhD in STEM / ICT / specified profession: 10

For [CLIENT_NAME] with STEM Master's research / PhD: 10.

G. CREDENTIALLED COMMUNITY LANGUAGE (max 5):
  Accredited via NAATI translator/interpreter certification at professional level: 5

H. STUDY IN REGIONAL AUSTRALIA (max 5):
  Australian study in designated regional area (Cat 2-3): 5

I. PARTNER FACTOR (max 10):
  Single applicant: 10 (NEW post-November 2019)
  Partner is Australian citizen/PR: 10
  Partner has competent English + age <45 + skills assessment positive: 10
  Partner has competent English only: 5
  None: 0

For single: calculate based on partner profile.

J. ACCREDITED COMMUNITY LANGUAGE (already covered in G).

K. STATE / TERRITORY NOMINATION (190 only): 5 (Not applicable to 189)
L. REGIONAL NOMINATION (491 only): 15 (Not applicable to 189)
M. ANZ SECONDARY APPLICATION POINTS: see partner factor

TOTAL CALCULATED: sum all factors.

§3 — COMPARE AGAINST INVITATION CUTOFFS (60-80 words)

For [OCCUPATION]:
  • Check most recent SkillSelect invitation round (typically monthly)
  • Most occupations: 90-100 cutoff
  • Pro-rata (accountants, software engineers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers): 95-100
  • Healthcare (RN, GP): often 65-75
  • Indication: [CALCULATE_POINTS] vs typical cutoff [X]

§4 — HIGHEST-ROI POINTS LEVERS (180-220 words)

To boost CRS for [CLIENT_NAME], identify 3 highest-impact moves:

Lever 1 — English from Proficient → Superior:
  • PTE 65 → PTE 79 (or IELTS 7.0 → 8.0)
  • +10 points
  • Time: 6-12 weeks intensive prep
  • Cost: AUD 400-600 (test retake)

Lever 2 — Partner skills:
  • If partner currently has only "Competent English": upgrade to Competent + age + skills = +10
  • If single applicant: confirm 10 points (already maxed)

Lever 3 — Additional work experience:
  • Each year of Australian work = additional points (transitions from 5 → 10 → 15 → 20 points)
  • Each 2-year increment of overseas = additional 5 points (up to 15 max)

Lever 4 — Australian Study Requirement:
  • If studied for ≥2 years CRICOS already: 5 points (one-time)

Lever 5 — Specialist Education:
  • Master's by research OR PhD: 10 points
  • Career investment but significant points value

Lever 6 — Regional study bonus:
  • Studied in Cat 2-3 regional: 5 points (one-time)

Lever 7 — NAATI credentialled language:
  • Indian Punjabi, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Gujarati credentials: 5 points
  • Takes 8-12 weeks training + NAATI certification

§5 — EOI SUBMISSION (60-80 words)

  • Create SkillSelect account
  • Submit Expression of Interest (EOI)
  • EOI valid 2 years
  • Update EOI when points change (English retake, additional experience, etc.)
  • Wait for invitation round (monthly)
  • Once invited: 60 days to lodge full visa application

End with: "DRAFT SUBCLASS 189 STRATEGY — for MARN-registered agent review. Pro-rata occupations have unpredictable invitation cutoffs; check immi.homeaffairs.gov.au monthly SkillSelect invitation reports. English language remains the highest-impact lever for most applicants — invest in PTE Superior."