Ever wondered why the 189 visa is sought after? So much so that it is considered one of the best PR visas for Australia. It’s because this is the only skilled visa that gives you permanent residency without asking you to commit to an employer, a state, or a location.
For many applicants, Melbourne becomes the natural choice after the grant. Not that the visa demands it, but the city fits long-term plans better than most places in Australia. But, before you get there, let’s build some clarity around the requirements and eligibility criteria.
Understanding the 189 Visa
The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is a points-based PR visa. You are assessed against other applicants in your occupation, not against a fixed benchmark. That’s the main difference and it matters.
You don’t apply for the visa first. You signal your interest through SkillSelect. The government then decides who is competitive enough to be invited. No sponsorship. No nomination. Just based on your profile.
189 Visa Requirements in Melbourne
There is no such thing as Melbourne-specific requirements for this visa. The Department of Home Affairs doesn’t care where you plan to live. What they care about is whether your occupation and profile match Australia’s long-term skill needs.
-
- It starts with your occupation. If your job is not on the MLTSSL, the 189 visa is off the table. It doesn’t matter how qualified you are otherwise. The MLTSSL list is updated from time to time. Make sure you only trust official sources for information.
- The next step is the migration skills assessment. Many applicants stumble at this step. A skills assessment is not just a formality. Assessing authorities regularly reject applications because duties don’t match, documents are incomplete or experience is not counted the way applicants expect.
- English comes next, and this is where you need to strategise a bit. Although competent English keeps you eligible, it does not make you competitive. Most invitations today go to people with proficient or superior English, especially in occupations like IT, accounting and engineering. A difference of half a band or a few PTE points can decide whether you get invited or not.
- Age is another non-negotiable factor. You must be under 45 at the time of invitation. Not at the time of EOI. Not at the time of visa lodgement. At the invitation! People often miss this detail.
189 Visa Eligibility
Factually, you need 65 points to be eligible. Practically, that number means very little on its own. The system ranks EOIs by points, then by date of submission. Occupations have ceilings. Some fill fast. Some move slowly. This is why two people with the same points can have completely different outcomes.
Eligibility is not just about meeting criteria. It’s about timing, occupation demand and how strong your profile looks compared to others in the same pool. If your EOI is weak, it doesn’t get rejected. It just sits there. That’s why many people wait months without hearing anything.
Partner Points and Profile Strength
One of the biggest shifts in recent years has been how partner points affect selection.
Applicants with skilled partners, partners with competent English or even single applicants now have an edge. Couples who ignore partner assessment often lose points they could easily claim. This is one of those factors people usually overlook.
189 Visa Conditions
Once granted, the 189 visa comes with very few strings attached. You are a permanent resident from day one. You can live in Melbourne, move interstate, change jobs or take time off work. There is no obligation to inform immigration about job changes or address changes beyond standard requirements. You get full access to Medicare. Your children can study as domestic students. You can sponsor eligible family members in the future.
The only real limitation is travel. The visa has a five-year travel facility. After that, you need a Resident Return Visa to travel internationally unless you’ve become a citizen.
Speaking of citizenship, time spent living and working in Melbourne counts fully toward it.
Why Most 189 Holders Choose Melbourne
Even though the visa is independent, Melbourne consistently attracts skilled migrants. This is because the job market in Melbourne is deep, not just broad. Career progression tends to be clearer. Industries are better connected. The multicultural communities here help make the transition easier for new permanent residents.
Melbourne feels less like a temporary stop and more like a place to settle for people planning long-term.
Final Word
The 189 visa is not about luck. It’s about profile strength and timing.
If your occupation is right, your points are competitive and your documents are solid, this visa gives you one of the smoothest PR outcomes in Australia. Melbourne simply becomes the stage where most people choose to build their next chapter.
If you’re unsure how strong your profile really is, getting it assessed early can save you years of waiting. Connect with APG’ expert migration agents in Melbourne and be well prepared for everything ahead.
