The Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa is Australia’s most sought-after permanent residency pathway — and Registered Nurses rank as the top priority occupation for invitation rounds in the current program year. No employer sponsor. No state nomination required. This complete guide covers everything from ANMAC skills assessment and the points test to the step-by-step application process for nurses worldwide.

What Is the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa?

The Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa is a points-tested permanent residency visa that allows skilled workers to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia without requiring an employer sponsor or state government nomination. It is granted under Australia’s General Skilled Migration (GSM) program and is administered through the SkillSelect system.

Unlike the Subclass 190 (state-nominated) or Subclass 491 (regional provisional), the 189 visa offers complete geographic freedom from day one. Permanent residency is granted immediately upon visa grant — not after a provisional waiting period.

Why Nurses Have a Clear Advantage for the Subclass 189 Visa

Australia is facing a critical and sustained shortage of qualified nursing professionals. With a projected nurse shortfall exceeding 85,000 positions and government data forecasting an undersupply of more than 70,000 full-time equivalent nurses by 2035, Australia is actively prioritising Registered Nurses across all skilled migration streams.

In the November 2025 SkillSelect invitation round, nursing was confirmed as the highest priority occupation. Migration modelling indicates that Registered Nurses (all specialisations) will remain the leading recipients of 189 invitations throughout the current program year. The competitive points cutoff for nurses sits lower than for other in-demand groups such as IT and accounting, giving nurses a measurable advantage.

Key insight: Most recent 189 invitation rounds require 80+ points for most occupations. Nurses consistently receive invitations in the 75–80 point range due to the severity of the national healthcare shortage — one of the lowest thresholds among all skilled occupations.

Eligibility Requirements for Nurses

To apply for the Subclass 189 visa as a nurse, you must satisfy all of the following criteria at the time of invitation:

•       Age: Must be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation (no age limit for the NZ stream)
•       Occupation on MLTSSL: Registered Nurse (ANZSCO 254499 NEC and specialisations) is listed on Australia’s Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List
•       Positive ANMAC Skills Assessment: Valid outcome letter from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council
•       Minimum 65 Points: Pass the points test — aim for 75–85+ points in the current invitation climate as a nurse
•       English Language Proficiency: At least Competent English (IELTS 6.0 in each band, or PTE 50, TOEFL iBT, OET, or CAE equivalent)
•       Health Requirements: Pass a medical examination with a Department of Home Affairs-approved physician
•       Character Requirements: Provide police clearance from all countries where you have lived for 12+ months in the last 10 years
•       No Adverse Visa History: No outstanding debts to the Australian government and no prior visa cancellations

Eligible Nursing ANZSCO Codes on the MLTSSL

2026 Points Test Breakdown for Nurses

The points test is the backbone of your 189 visa application. Every category below contributes to your total. Even one improvement — such as upgrading from Proficient to Superior English — can significantly raise your invitation probability.

Note: While 65 points is the minimum to submit an EOI, recent invitation rounds show most nurses receive invitations in the 75–80 point range. Applicants in highly competitive occupations such as IT and accounting often need 85–95+ points.

ANMAC Skills Assessment for Nurses

A positive skills assessment from ANMAC (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council) is the mandatory first step for any nurse pursuing the Subclass 189 visa. Without a valid ANMAC outcome letter, you cannot lodge an EOI in SkillSelect.

Three ANMAC Assessment Pathways

Key ANMAC Requirements (Full Assessment)

•       Qualification: Bachelor of Nursing or higher, equivalent to AQF Level 7
•       Work Experience: Minimum 3 months and 260 hours of paid nursing work within the last 5 years matching your nominated ANZSCO code
•       English Test: IELTS 7.0 in all bands (6.5 in writing acceptable) or OET Grade B, or equivalent TOEFL iBT/PTE scores
•       Professional Reference Letters: From employers on official letterhead confirming your role, clinical hours, and responsibilities
•       Academic Transcripts: Including both theoretical and clinical placement hours from all nursing courses completed
•       Identity Documents: Passport-style photo (within last 6 months) and certified ID documents
•       NAATI-Certified Translation: Required for all non-English documents

Important: Your ANMAC Outcome Letter is valid for 2 years from the date of issue. Work experience older than 5 years can only be assessed under ANZSCO code 254499 NEC.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1.   Confirm your ANZSCO code and MLTSSL eligibility: Select the code matching your nursing specialisation and verify it is on the current MLTSSL at the Department of Home Affairs website.
2.   Obtain a positive ANMAC skills assessment: Apply through the ANMAC Skilled Migrant Application Portal. Select your pathway based on your AHPRA registration status.
3.   Sit your English language test: IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, or Cambridge C1 Advanced. Aim for Proficient (IELTS 7.0) at minimum; pursue Superior (IELTS 8.0) for maximum points.
4.   Calculate your points score: Use the official SkillSelect points calculator. Every point claimed must be supported by documentation at the time of invitation.
5.   Submit your Expression of Interest via SkillSelect: Submitting an EOI is free. You can nominate Subclass 189, 190, and 491 in a single EOI simultaneously.
6.   Receive your Invitation to Apply: The Department of Home Affairs conducts quarterly invitation rounds. Higher points and earlier submission dates improve your position.
7.   Lodge your visa application within 60 days: Submit your formal application via ImmiAccount with all supporting documents including ANMAC letter, English results, work evidence, health and police clearances.
8.   Complete health and character requirements: Arrange a medical examination and obtain police clearances from Australia and all countries where you have lived for 12+ months in the past 10 years.
9.   Await visa decision: In the current program year, 50% of applications are processed within 4 months and 90% within 19 months.

Visa Costs and Processing Times

Processing Times — Current Official Data

Benefits of the Subclass 189 Visa for Nurses

•       Permanent residency from day one: Live, work, and study anywhere in Australia from the moment your visa is granted
•       No geographic restrictions: Work in any state or territory including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, or regional areas
•       Access to Medicare: Australia’s public healthcare system and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
•       Free public education for children: Children receive free education through to the end of high school
•       5 years unlimited travel: Travel in and out of Australia freely (a Resident Return Visa may be required after 5 years)
•       Pathway to Australian citizenship: Apply after meeting residency requirements — typically 4 years with at least 1 year as a permanent resident
•       Sponsor eligible relatives: Sponsor family members for Australian visas once you become a permanent resident
•       Include family in one application: Bring your partner and dependent children in the same visa application

Tips to Maximise Your Points Score as a Nurse

• Pursue Superior English: Upgrading from Proficient (IELTS 7.0 = 10 points) to Superior (IELTS 8.0 = 20 points) adds 10 critical points. The current system heavily rewards Superior English.
• Accumulate Australian work experience: Even 1–2 years of Australian nursing experience on a skilled visa adds 5 points. Five or more years earns 20 points.
• Apply while in the optimal age band: The 25–32 age bracket earns the maximum 30 age points. Submit your EOI as soon as your ANMAC assessment is positive.
• Leverage the skilled partner bonus: If your partner is under 45, has Competent English, and holds a positive skills assessment, your joint application earns 10 bonus points.
• Consider a NAATI community language accreditation: 5 extra points for an approved community language — relevant for Filipino, Indian, and Sri Lankan nurses in particular.
• Submit a parallel EOI for Subclass 190 and 491: State nomination for 190 adds 5 bonus points; 491 adds 15 points. A single EOI can nominate all three streams simultaneously.
• Submit your EOI early: EOI submission date acts as a tiebreaker between applicants with equal points. Do not delay once your ANMAC assessment is positive.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do nurses need a job offer to apply for the Subclass 189 visa?

No. The Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa requires no job offer, employer sponsorship, or state government nomination. Your application is assessed entirely on your points score and ANMAC skills assessment. This is one of the visa’s greatest advantages — complete independence and the freedom to work for any employer anywhere in Australia.

2. What IELTS score do nurses need for the Subclass 189 visa?

The minimum requirement is Competent English, meaning IELTS 6.0 in each of the four components. For the ANMAC Full Skills Assessment you typically need IELTS 7.0 in all bands (6.5 acceptable in writing). For maximum visa points, aim for Superior English — IELTS 8.0 in each band earns 20 points rather than 10.

3. How long does the ANMAC skills assessment take?

Processing times vary by assessment type. Modified assessments for AHPRA-registered nurses are faster than Full assessments. To avoid delays, submit high-quality PDF scans (600 dpi, colour), use official institutional email addresses, and ensure your ANZSCO code accurately matches your work experience. The ANMAC Outcome Letter is valid for 2 years from the date of issue.

4. Can international nurses apply for the 189 visa from outside Australia?

Yes. You can submit your ANMAC skills assessment and SkillSelect EOI from anywhere in the world. You do not need to be in Australia to lodge an Expression of Interest or receive an Invitation to Apply.

5. What is the difference between the Subclass 189 and Subclass 190 visa?

Both grant permanent residency, but the 189 requires no nomination and allows you to live anywhere in Australia immediately. The 190 requires state or territory nomination and a 2-year obligation to live in the nominating state. The 190 adds 5 bonus points to your score. Many nurses nominate both in a single EOI and take whichever invitation arrives first.

6. How many points does a typical registered nurse score?

A nurse aged 28–35 with 5+ years of experience, a bachelor degree, and Proficient English (IELTS 7.0) would typically score approximately 70–75 points: 25–30 (age) + 15 (bachelor degree) + 10–15 (overseas work experience) + 10 (Proficient English) + 10 (single or PR partner). Achieving Superior English (IELTS 8.0) pushes the score to 80–85 points.

7. Can I include my family in my Subclass 189 application?

Yes. You can include your spouse or de facto partner, dependent children under 18, and children aged 18–23 who are full-time students. Parents must apply separately through a parent visa subclass after you become a permanent resident. Additional visa fees apply for each secondary applicant.

8. What are the alternatives if I am not invited for the 189 visa?

The Subclass 190 (state-nominated, +5 points) and Subclass 491 (regional provisional, +15 points, leading to permanent Subclass 191 after 3 years in regional Australia) are widely used parallel pathways. Employer-sponsored routes such as the Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) transitioning to the Subclass 186 ENS are also viable for nurses with an Australian job offer.

Conclusion

The Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa remains one of the best pathways for qualified nurses seeking permanent residency in Australia. With strong demand for healthcare professionals, lower invitation thresholds for nurses, and the freedom to live and work anywhere in the country, this visa offers long-term career growth and settlement opportunities.

Success depends on careful planning, from choosing the correct ANZSCO code and completing your ANMAC skills assessment to maximising your points score through English proficiency and work experience. Nurses who prepare early and submit a strong application often improve their chances of receiving an invitation faster.

If you are planning to apply for Australia PR as a nurse and need professional guidance, Desma International can help streamline the process. As an overseas nursing registration consultant with AHPRA registration support, Desma International helps applicants move forward with confidence.