Disclaimer: We are not affiliated to “College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants” (CICC) in Canada nor represent them by any means.
Australia is one of the top destinations for skilled professionals looking to build a successful life abroad. The Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa is a permanent residence visa designed for qualified workers who are not sponsored by an employer, state, or family member.
This visa allows skilled individuals to live and work anywhere in Australia, offering full work rights, access to healthcare, and a path to citizenship.
The Subclass 189 visa is ideal for:
Skilled workers with qualifications in demand in Australia
Individuals with strong English proficiency and relevant work experience
Applicants who wish to settle independently without state or employer sponsorship
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect
Be invited to apply by the Australian government
Be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation
Score at least 65 points based on the points test (age, skills, experience, education, etc.)
Have an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)
Obtain a positive skills assessment in your occupation
Meet English language and health requirements
Once granted, this visa lets you and your family:
Stay in Australia permanently
Study and work without restrictions
Access Medicare and social benefits
Apply for Australian citizenship (when eligible)
Though it’s an independent visa, the process can be detailed and competitive. At RCIC, we:
Evaluate your eligibility and help maximize your points
Guide you through the EOI and documentation process
Assist with skills assessment and visa application
Provide full support from start to finish
Turn your Australian dream into a permanent reality—with professional guidance every step of the way.
If you’re a skilled professional looking to make Australia your permanent home—but need state support to qualify—the Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa could be your ideal pathway.
This is a permanent residence visa for individuals who are nominated by an Australian state or territory government. It suits those whose occupation is in demand at the state level, even if they don’t have enough points for a Subclass 189 visa.
The Subclass 190 visa is perfect for:
Skilled workers with qualifications listed on a state or territory occupation list
Individuals who are willing to live and work in the nominating state for a certain period (usually 2 years)
Applicants who need extra points through state nomination to improve their overall eligibility
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect
Receive a state or territory nomination
Score at least 65 points on the points test (state nomination adds 5 points)
Be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation
Have a relevant occupation on the state’s skilled list
Obtain a positive skills assessment
Meet English language, health, and character requirements
Once granted, this visa gives you:
Permanent residency in Australia
Full work and study rights
Access to Medicare
The ability to sponsor eligible relatives
A pathway to Australian citizenship
Navigating state-specific requirements and managing multiple applications can be overwhelming. That’s where we come in. We:
Assess your profile and match it with the best-suited state
Guide you through the nomination process and EOI submission
Help you compile accurate documentation
Support you all the way to final visa grant
With the right nomination and expert support, your dream of living in Australia can become a reality.
The Subclass 186 visa offers skilled professionals the opportunity to live and work in Australia permanently, with the support of an Australian employer. It’s a popular pathway for those who have already gained local work experience or have a job offer from an approved employer.
This visa suits professionals who want stability, career growth, and the benefits of permanent residency in Australia.
Direct Entry Stream – For skilled workers who may not have worked in Australia but have qualifications and experience in an occupation listed on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
Temporary Residence Transition Stream – For those already in Australia holding a Subclass 457 or 482 visa and who have worked for their employer for at least 2–3 years.
Labour Agreement Stream – For workers nominated by employers under a formal labour agreement with the Australian government.
A nomination from an approved Australian employer
A positive skills assessment (for Direct Entry stream)
Must be under 45 years of age
Meet the English language requirement (usually Competent English – IELTS 6 or equivalent)
Satisfy health and character conditions
Have at least 3 years of relevant work experience (in most cases)
Once approved, the Subclass 186 visa provides:
Permanent residency for you and eligible family members
Full work and study rights in Australia
Access to public healthcare (Medicare)
A clear path to Australian citizenship
We work closely with both employers and candidates to:
Ensure nomination and application meet all immigration requirements
Help with skills assessment and document preparation
Guide you through every step of the visa process
Avoid common mistakes that delay approvals
Your job offer could be the start of a permanent future in Australia. Let RCIC help you make the most of it.
Australia’s economy relies on skilled professionals from around the world to fill urgent labor shortages. The Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa allows employers to sponsor qualified foreign workers when no suitable Australian workers are available.
This is a temporary work visa that can lead to permanent residency through future pathways like the Subclass 186 visa.
Short-Term Stream – For occupations on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). Valid for up to 2 years (or 4 years if international trade obligations apply).
Medium-Term Stream – For occupations on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). Valid for up to 4 years and offers a PR pathway.
Labour Agreement Stream – For employers with a negotiated agreement with the government.
Subsequent Entrant – For family members of a TSS visa holder.
A valid job offer from an approved Australian employer
Nomination in an occupation listed on the relevant skilled occupation list
At least 2 years of relevant work experience
Meet English language requirements (varies by stream)
Proof of skills and qualifications for the nominated position
Meet health and character requirements
Opportunity to live and work in Australia temporarily
Bring eligible family members
Gain local work experience that may lead to permanent residency
Flexibility to work in key sectors like IT, healthcare, trades, and engineering
We work with both candidates and employers to:
Ensure proper sponsorship and nomination
Assist with skills assessment and document collection
Navigate the full visa application process efficiently
Maximize chances of future permanent residency options
Looking to work in Australia with employer support? The 482 visa could be your first step toward a lasting career and life down under.
The Subclass 489 visa was a temporary visa that allowed skilled workers to live and work in regional areas of Australia. It was designed to attract talent to less populated areas facing skill shortages. However, as of November 16, 2019, the Subclass 489 has been officially replaced by the Subclass 491 visa.
For informational purposes, here’s what the 489 visa offered:
A 4-year provisional visa
Required nomination by a state/territory government or sponsorship by an eligible family member in regional Australia
Allowed the holder to live, work, and study only in designated regional areas
Eligible for permanent residency (Subclass 887 visa) after meeting the residence and work criteria
Occupation on a relevant skilled list
Minimum 65 points on the points test
Under 45 years of age at time of invitation
Positive skills assessment
Competent English proficiency
Must live in a regional or low-population growth area
As the 489 is no longer open to new applications, those looking for similar opportunities should explore the Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa, which offers a 5-year stay and a clearer pathway to permanent residency.
Whether you’re transitioning from a 489 to a permanent visa, or just starting with the newer Subclass 491, RCIC can:
Assess your eligibility
Help with sponsorship or nomination
Guide your regional settlement plan
Assist with future PR applications
The Subclass 191 visa is a permanent residency pathway for skilled migrants who have lived and worked in Australia’s regional areas on a provisional visa, such as Subclass 491 or 494. It rewards those who commit to contributing to regional development by offering them a chance to settle in Australia permanently.
This visa is ideal for:
Holders of a Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) or 494 (Employer Sponsored Regional) visa
Individuals who have lived and worked in regional Australia for at least 3 years
Applicants who have met the income threshold during that period
Hold a Subclass 491 or 494 visa for at least 3 years
Provide evidence of taxable income at or above the minimum threshold (currently AUD $53,900 per year, subject to change)
Have complied with visa conditions, including living in a regional area
Meet standard health and character requirements
Permanent residency for you and eligible family members
Freedom to live and work anywhere in Australia
Access to public healthcare (Medicare) and other social benefits
Pathway to Australian citizenship
We guide eligible regional visa holders through:
Assessing income and residence history
Preparing all required documentation
Ensuring full compliance with regional visa conditions
Applying for Subclass 191 with precision and care
If you’ve already made the move to regional Australia, Subclass 191 is your gateway to a secure and permanent future.
