New Horizons
Skilled Independent (Subclass 189)

A pathway built on merit.

For professionals with recognised skills and strong evidence, the Skilled Independent pathway offers a direct route to permanent residency — without needing employer sponsorship.

Precision, not luck.

The Skilled Independent pathway is for individuals whose qualifications, experience and professional contributions align with Australia’s national skills needs.

It is one of the most competitive migration programs — and one of the most rewarding when approached with clarity, evidence and strategy.

This is not a process where you 'apply and hope.' It is a process where every point, every document and every detail must withstand legal scrutiny.

Who this pathway is for

  • Highly skilled professionals with occupations on the skilled lists
  • Individuals who can meet points-test thresholds
  • Applicants with strong English language proficiency
  • Those seeking permanent residency without employer sponsorship
  • Professionals wanting long-term stability and unrestricted work rights

Common Challenges

  • Work experience not aligning with ANZSCO definitions
  • Gaps in evidence for overseas roles
  • Complex qualifications or multiple degrees
  • Incorrect earlier advice leading to inflated points
  • Age-related points pressure
  • Partner points providing risk or opportunity
  • Applicants on bridging visas or complex histories

What the Department looks for.

This is a points-test visa. Precision is the only metric that matters.

A recognised occupation

Your occupation must be on the relevant skilled list and correctly classified. A misaligned occupation can invalidate your entire pathway.

A valid skills assessment

This is the cornerstone of the pathway. It must match your nominated occupation and be supported by precise evidence.

Strong English evidence

Often the difference between meeting the threshold or exceeding it. We ensure your evidence aligns with the points claimed.

Real, defensible points

We assess your points exactly as the Department will: age, qualifications, experience, English, partner points and more.

Clean immigration history

Decision-makers will consider compliance, previous visas and any inconsistencies in your record.

Our Methodology

The Architecture of a Claim.

01

Skills & Eligibility Audit

We examine your skills, history and evidence to determine whether the Skilled Independent route is viable — or if another pathway is stronger.

02

Points Strategy

We calculate your points precisely and identify where gains are possible and where risks exist.

03

Evidence Architecture

We structure your application like a legal brief: skills assessment, qualifications, experience, statutory declarations, English results and supplementary documentation.

04

Expression of Interest (EOI)

Your EOI must reflect accurate points and defensible claims. Any overstatement— even accidental — can result in cancellation.

05

Invitation & Application

Once invited, we prepare a full application that answers the criteria before they are asked.

Why Skilled Independent requires strategy.

The 189 pathway is competitive and quota-driven. What worked for someone last year may not work for you now. Your success depends on strategy, not guesswork; evidence, not assumptions; and a lawyer who can see both the legal framework and the practical realities of policy shifts.

Is this pathway right for you?

A Skilled Independent visa may be the strongest option if your profile matches the criteria with confidence. For others, skilled pathways may be better pursued through State Nomination, Employer Sponsorship, or Graduate routes. The key is choosing the route that is legally defensible for your exact situation.

Begin with clarity.

Your future deserves more than a form filler. It deserves a strategist.