Independent Pathway (189)
No employer, no family member and no state or territory government behind your application - just your occupation, skills and points score.
General Skilled Migration
Skilled Migration Visas.
Secure your Australian permanent residency through General Skilled Migration. Our MARA-registered agents provide technical points assessments and strategic roadmaps across the Subclass 189 Independent, 190 State Nominated and 491 Regional Provisional pathways, matched to the current invitation cycle.
189 / 190 / 491 all pathways
65+ points floor
MARA Agent #1688088
Why apply through GSM
Three pathways, one points-tested program.
General Skilled Migration is built around a single points test, but the route you take to an invitation - independent, state nominated or regional - changes your bonus points, your obligations and how quickly you can expect an outcome.
State Nomination Bonus (190)
A successful state or territory nomination adds 5 points to your score, often enough to turn a near-miss profile into an invitation.
Largest Bonus Regionally (491)
A regional nomination or eligible family sponsorship adds 15 points - the biggest bonus in the GSM program - with a pathway to permanent residency via the 191.
Permanent Or Clear PR Pathway
The 189 and 190 grant permanent residency immediately on arrival; the 491 is a five-year provisional visa with a defined route to the permanent 191.
Family Inclusion
Your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children can be included as secondary applicants and receive the same rights as you across all three visas.
Pathway To Citizenship
Permanent residents may become eligible to apply for Australian citizenship once residency requirements are met, plus access to Medicare and certain entitlements.
2025/26 invitation cycle
Built for high-scoring, technically eligible professionals.
The GSM program rewards preparation. We help you verify your occupation list status, lock in your skills assessment and English test results, and choose the nomination strategy that gives you the strongest invitation outcome.
Eligibility essentials
Six benchmarks every GSM applicant must clear.
Skilled migration is a technically rigorous pathway. Successful applicants must meet strict legislative benchmarks across these core pillars before any nomination strategy is layered on top.
Points Test Score
65 points is the legislative floor, but competitive invitation rounds for popular occupations often sit between 85 and 100 points.
Age Requirement
You must be under 45 years of age at the time you are invited to apply - age is one of the most heavily weighted points categories.
Eligible Occupation
Your nominated occupation must appear on the relevant list - MLTSSL, STSOL or ROL - depending on which visa and nomination route you pursue.
Positive Skills Assessment
A valid, positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation, current at the time of invitation.
English Language Result
At least Competent English is required, while Proficient or Superior results unlock significant additional points toward your total score.
Health & Character
You and any family members included must meet health examination standards and provide police clearances covering relevant countries of residence.
Strategic roadmap
The GSM journey, step by step.
A technically rigorous framework. Every stage feeds into the next, so a small mistake early on can affect your final points score and which pathway is realistically open to you.
Occupation & Points Check
We confirm your ANZSCO code and run an honest, technical estimate of your points score across all categories.
Skills Assessment
Lodgement of your application with the correct assessing authority, supported by verified qualifications and employment evidence.
English Language Test
Selecting and preparing for IELTS, PTE Academic or an equivalent test to secure Competent, Proficient or Superior English points.
Choose Your Pathway
Comparing independent, state nominated and regional options against your points score and location preferences.
SkillSelect EOI & Nomination
Submission of a complete, accurately scored EOI, plus any state or regional nomination application required.
Invitation To Apply
Monitoring invitation rounds and occupation ceilings, then confirming your invitation once it is issued by the Department.
Visa Lodgement
Preparation and submission of your complete, decision-ready application within the 60-day window after invitation.
Health, Character & Grant
Completion of health examinations and police clearances for all applicants, followed by final assessment and visa grant.
The 60-day invitation deadline
Once invited under any of the three pathways, you have 60 days to lodge a complete visa application or the invitation lapses and you must re-enter the SkillSelect pool. Health checks, police certificates and supporting documents should be organised in advance wherever possible.
Choosing your GSM visa
189 vs 190 vs 491 at a glance.
Each pathway suits a different profile. We assess your occupation, points score and location flexibility before recommending which one - or which combination - to pursue.
| Feature | Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship / nomination | None required - fully independent | State or territory nomination required | State, territory or family-sponsored regional nomination |
| Points bonus | No bonus points available | +5 points for nomination | +15 points for nomination |
| Visa outcome | Permanent residency immediately | Permanent residency immediately | Provisional (5 years) with pathway to Subclass 191 PR |
| Location conditions | None - live anywhere in Australia | May include a commitment to the nominating state | Must live and work in a designated regional area |
| Typical competitiveness | Highest points threshold - relies on your score alone | Moderate - depends on state occupation lists and demand | Often most accessible due to the largest points bonus |
Official resources
Useful links before you start.
These official Home Affairs pages are a useful starting point for understanding General Skilled Migration. We help you interpret the rules against your actual occupation, points score and personal circumstances.
Common GSM risks
- Overestimating your points score, particularly for English, work experience and partner skills.
- Submitting an EOI before your skills assessment or English results are confirmed and valid.
- Choosing a nomination program without reviewing its current occupation list and ranking criteria.
- Missing the 60-day deadline to lodge after receiving an invitation to apply.
- Occupation ceilings filling for the program year before your invitation is issued.
- Assuming the 189 is your only option when a 190 or 491 nomination could be faster.
FAQ
Before you lodge a skilled visa.
Technical answers to the questions we hear most often from skilled professionals considering General Skilled Migration.
01How many points do I need for skilled migration in 2026?
The legislative minimum is 65 points. However, for the current invitation cycle, competitive scores for high-demand occupations often sit between 85 and 100 points. Success depends on optimising English results and maximising any state or regional nomination bonus.
02Which occupations are eligible for skilled migration?
Eligible occupations are listed on the MLTSSL, STSOL and ROL lists, and each list supports different visa subclasses. The current priority focus remains healthcare, technical engineering, construction and specialised IT sectors, so we recommend a technical review to confirm your specific ANZSCO code.
03Do I need state or regional nomination for a skilled visa?
Not always. The Subclass 189 is fully independent and needs no nomination. The 190 requires a state or territory nomination for a 5 point bonus, and the 491 requires a regional nomination or eligible family sponsorship for a 15 point bonus.
04How long does the skilled visa process take?
The complete process typically spans 12 to 18 months. This includes the technical skills assessment (3 to 5 months), the EOI waiting period in SkillSelect (variable), and final Departmental visa processing (8 to 12 months).
05Can I include my family in my skilled visa application?
Yes. Your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children are included as secondary applicants across the 189, 190 and 491 visas, receiving the same residency rights as you.
06What is the difference between the 189, 190 and 491 visas?
The 189 is independent and requires no nomination. The 190 requires state or territory nomination, adds 5 points and grants permanent residency immediately. The 491 is a provisional regional visa that adds 15 points and requires you to live and work in regional Australia before transitioning to the permanent Subclass 191.
Expert skilled migration
Ready to secure your Australian permanent residency?
Send us your occupation, qualifications, English test results and current points estimate. Our MARA-registered agents will identify the right stream and build a strategic roadmap tailored to your professional profile.
Book your consultation
MARA Registered Agent #1688088
Intel Migration Pty Ltd
West End, Brisbane QLD
