#subclass189

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This visa allows invited workers with skills Australia needs to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia. If you are granted this visa, you can also sponsor eligible family members for permanent residence, and ultimately if eligible, to apply for Australian citizenship.

Planning to move to Australia in 2026? 🌏 One of the biggest questions skilled migrants face is choosing the right Australia PR visa pathway.

The three most popular skilled migration visas are: ✔️ Subclass 189 ✔️ Subclass 190 ✔️ Subclass 491

But which one is best for your profile? 🤔

🔹 Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa

This visa is ideal for high-scoring applicants who want complete freedom to live and work anywhere in Australia without state sponsorship.

✅ Direct Permanent Residency ✅ No State Nomination Required ✅ Full Work Rights Across Australia

🔹 Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa

The Subclass 190 visa requires nomination from an Australian state or territory and gives applicants an extra 5 points.

✅ State Nomination Support ✅ Better Chances for Mid-Range Scores ✅ Permanent Residency from Day One

🔹 Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional Visa

The 491 visa is designed for applicants willing to live in regional Australia and offers a massive 15-point boost.

✅ Lower Competition ✅ Faster Invitations ✅ Pathway to PR After 3 Years

🌟 Why Choosing the Right Visa Matters

Your age, occupation, English score, work experience, and PR points all play an important role in selecting the best visa subclass.

🎉 Congrats, Prasanth Ravindran Nair! 👏Your Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) has been granted by the Australian Government! 🇦🇺✨

We wish you an exciting and rewarding journey in Australia as you take the next step in your career as a Registered nurse. 🚀

Another happy client enjoying the benefits of choosing AIVES Australia. Is Australia your dream destination? 🌏✨

For more assistance, contact us: www.aivesaustralia.com

Securing Australian Permanent Residency (PR) without a job offer is absolutely feasible in 2026 through points-based skilled migration pathways. These independent visas prioritize your skills, experience, and qualifications over employer sponsorship, opening doors for professionals worldwide.

Primary Visa Pathways

The standout option is the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa, delivering immediate PR status without any nomination or sponsorship, granting freedom to live and work anywhere in Australia. For added advantage, Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated provides a 5-point boost through state or territory nomination—no job required—leading to full PR after just two years in the nominating region. Complementing these, the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Provisional visa offers a 5-year pathway convertible to PR after three years, with 15 bonus points for regional commitment, making it ideal for those open to vibrant areas outside major cities.

Key 2026 Migration Updates

Australia's 2025-2026 program allocates 185,000 places, trimming skilled independent visas to 16,900 while boosting state-nominated to 33,000, spotlighting high-demand fields like healthcare, IT, engineering, and education. Monthly SkillSelect invitation rounds persist, as seen in January 2026's 344 invites favoring health experts, where competitive points thresholds now surpass the 65 minimum—often 85+ for Subclass 189 success. Expect continued emphasis on Core Skills Occupations, with states like Victoria and Queensland accelerating nominations for priority lists.

Essential Eligibility Criteria

Core requirements include an occupation from the latest Skilled Occupation List—think registered nurses, software engineers, or accountants—a favorable skills assessment from bodies like VETASSESS or Engineers Australia, proficient English via IELTS 6.0+ (or equivalent), age under 45, and a minimum 65 points tallied from age, work experience (up to 20 points), qualifications, and extras like partner skills or study in Australia. High-demand roles gain traction amid invitation rounds, so strategic point maximization is crucial.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Begin with securing your skills assessment and English proficiency results, then compute points via the official SkillSelect calculator and lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI). Top-ranked EOIs receive invitations within weeks; respond within 60 days by submitting a full visa application, complete with police clearances, medical exams, and supporting documents. Processing typically spans 7-9 months, accelerated for state-nominated applicants.

Challenges and Success Strategies

Competition intensifies with rising points cutoffs, yet savvy applicants counter this by claiming every point—pursuing superior English scores (e.g., IELTS 8.0 for 20 points), gaining extra experience, or securing professional year completion. Regional pathways like 491 lower barriers while building toward PR, and proactive state applications enhance odds without jobs.

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Dreaming of Australian PR?

Australia’s doors are (once again) opening for skilled migrants — but with only 20,350 state & territory-nominated visa spots for the 2025–26 program year, the race is on. For highly-skilled professionals and students eyeing permanent residency, this is your moment. At AMEC, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

What’s New: Why 20,350 Spots Matter

The Australian Government has slashed the allocation for state/territory nomination visas (subclass 190 and 491) from 26,260 places in 2024–25 to 20,350 for 2025–26.

This change has sparked concern among leaders in several states, especially Western Australia, which argues that such cuts could worsen critical skill shortages in industries like construction, infrastructure, and healthcare.

Despite the reduction, the overall Migration Program cap remains at 185,000 places, underlining that Australia continues to prioritize skilled migration. Immigration and citizenship Website

Why the Cut? Understanding the Context

Balancing Growth and Infrastructure: The federal government is rebalancing its migration strategy. While skilled migrants remain a top priority, there’s concern about overloading housing, health, and infrastructure systems.

State-Level Debate: States like WA are pushing back hard. Their argument is  reducing skilled migrant slots now hampers growth, especially in sectors that desperately need talent.

Interim Allocations in Play: Many states are operating on temporary (“interim”) allocations until final numbers are locked in by the Commonwealth.

What This Means for Aspiring Migrants

Competition will be tougher. With fewer nomination spots, states are being more selective. Having a strong profile (EOI, skills assessment, work experience) is more important than ever.

Strategic planning is key. Your Skill Select Expression of Interest (EOI) needs to be spot-on. You should also research individual state nomination policies, as each state has its own criteria and priorities.

Timing matters. Some states have already begun sending invitations based on interim allocations. AMEC can help you stay on top of these invitation rounds and make sure your Registration of Interest (ROI) is solid.

Seek expert help. Given the tightening numbers, working with a migration consultant like AMEC can give you an edge from evaluating eligibility to maximizing your points and preparing a compelling nomination application.

How AMEC Can Help You Navigate This

Ace Migration & Education Consultants, we believe in making migration as clear and stress-free as possible. Here’s how we support you:

Free Eligibility Assessment: We evaluate your education, work experience, and EOI points to help you choose the right visa pathway (190 vs. 491, and which state).

EOI Optimization: We help you craft and maintain a high-scoring Expression of Interest in Skill Select so you’re ready when invitation rounds open.

State Nomination Strategy: Every state and territory has different priorities. We align your registration of interest (ROI) to those priorities to increase your chances.

Visa Application Support: From gathering documentation, skills assessments, and nomination application forms — we guide you through the entire visa process.

Post-Visa Advice: Once nominated, we also help with bridging visas, settlement planning, and life in Australia (job search, accommodation, etc.).

What You Should Do Now

Update or lodge your Skill Select EOI make sure your details, qualifications, and employment history are accurate.

Identify which states align with your skills and type of visa. Some states may offer more favorable nomination criteria right now.

Connect with AMEC for a personalized session we’ll walk you through the 2025–26 changes, your eligibility, and how to act quickly.

Stay tuned for state-by-state invitation rounds and interim allocation announcements and be ready to move fast when AMEC gives you the go-ahead.

Yes, there’s a reduction in state-nominated skilled visa spots, but 20,350 is still a significant number — and for the right candidate, this is a golden opportunity. With AMEC by your side, you can navigate the shifting landscape, strengthen your application, and position yourself to win one of these coveted spots.