489 Visa

The 489 visa is now closed to new applications

Applicants can hold a subclass 475, 487, 495 or 496 visas (Extended Stay pathway)
Applicants can be sponsored by either a relative who is living in a designated area or a State or Territory Government to be eligible. (Invited pathway)

Applicants must:
• have an occupation on the relevant occupation list
• have a successful skill assessment for the relevant occupation
• be nominated to apply by a state or territory government agency or eligible relative

Expression of Interest
Applicants can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and be invited to apply for this visa by the Department of Immigration. Applicants must score at least 65 points to be eligible to apply for the 489 Visa, however, you may need more points in order to receive an invitation. Take a look at the latest invitation round to the number of invitations issued.
Take our Online Points Test to find you how many points you score.

After receiving an invitation, applicants must lodge their Regional Sponsored 489 Visa within 60 days.

You may be able to apply for a Regional Sponsored Visa (Subclass 489) if you meet the following requirements: (Invited pathway)

RELATIVE SPONSORSHIP
You may be able to apply for a Regional Sponsored Visa if they are sponsored by an eligible relative who is living in a designated area.
An eligible relative must be either an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. An eligible relative must also be one of the following to the applicant:

• Parent
• Brothers and Sisters
• Uncles and Aunts
• Nephews and Nieces
• First Cousins
• Grandparents

Applicants who have been sponsored by a relative for two years and have worked full time for at least 12 months in a regional or low population area may qualify for a Skilled Regional Subclass 887 Permanent Visa.

STATE OR TERRITORY NOMINATION
You must be Nominated by an Australian State or Territory. Each State and Territory Government have their own list of eligible occupations and may have specific requirements for skills and work experience.

OCCUPATION & SKILLS
Your occupation must be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations.

You must perform a successful skill assessment through the authorised assessing authority to show that you have the skills and qualifications to work in your chosen occupation.

POINTS TEST & INVITATION
You must lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) and be invited to apply for this visa
You must score a minimum of 65 points to be invited to apply.
You must meet the points score eligibility at the time you are invited to apply for the visa.
Calculate your points

ENGLISH
You can provide evidence of Competent English

AGE
You are under 45 when you receive an invitation to apply

HEALTH & CHARACTER
You must meet the health & character requirements

The 489 visa is now closed to new applications

Th 489 visa is now closed to new applications

The 489 visa is now closed to new applications

Applicants can include the following people in their transitional permanent residency application:

-> Dependent children/step-children
-> Partner’s dependent child or children
-> Partner

PARTNER
Your married or de facto partner can be the same or opposite sex. Applicants must prove:
• the relationship is genuine and continuing
• your partner is at least 18 years of age when the application is lodged (there are some exceptions)
• you are not related by family (if you are in a de facto relationship)
• you and your partner have a mutual commitment to a shared life to the exclusion of all others, and
• you live together, or do not live separately on a permanent basis.

CHILDREN
To be eligible to be included or added to a 189 visa, a child must:

• be your child or a stepchild from a current or a previous relationship (in certain circumstances);
• not be married, engaged to be married, or have a de facto partner; and must be:
• under 18 years of age
or
• over 18 years of age but not yet turned 23, and be dependent on you or your partner
or
• over 23 years of age and be unable to earn a living to support themselves due to physical or cognitive limitations and be dependent on you or your partner (Note: The child will still need to meet Australia’s health requirement)
or
• a dependent child of a child who is eligible under 1, 2 or 3 above.

ENGLISH
Applicants over 18 must demonstrate Functional English or pay an additional application fee to be exempt. Otherwise, if you would like to improve your English score, our English Language School partner can help.

HEALTH & CHARACTER
All family members must meet health and character requirements. All applicants over 16 must provide police clearances.