Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189 — document translation guide
The Subclass 189 visa is a points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers without state nomination or family sponsorship. Certified translations may be required for qualifications, work-history and identity documents not in English. For the latest requirements, always check homeaffairs.gov.au.
Who Is the Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189 Generally For?
The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is a permanent points-tested visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or a state or territory government — it is fully independent. The application process: (1) Skills assessment — obtain a positive assessment from the relevant assessing authority for the nominated occupation. (2) Expression of Interest (EOI) — submit an EOI through SkillSelect, declaring the points score. (3) Invitation to apply — the Department of Home Affairs issues invitations to the highest-scoring candidates. Invitation rounds occur regularly and the minimum points score required varies by occupation and round. (4) Visa application — invited applicants have 60 days to lodge a full visa application.
Points are awarded for: age, English language proficiency, skilled employment experience (in Australia and overseas), educational qualifications, partner skills, regional study, and professional year completion. Age requirement: under 45 at time of invitation. English: competent English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent in each component) is required to be eligible. Proficient or superior English scores attract additional points.
When are certified translations required? Qualification certificates, academic transcripts, employment letters, and police clearance certificates not in English must be accompanied by a NAATI-certified translation. Documents submitted to the skills assessing authority must also be translated.
Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189 — Document Checklist
Documents commonly used for Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189 applications. Not every document applies to every applicant — always verify on homeaffairs.gov.au.
Processing Times
Processing times for this visa are published by the Department of Home Affairs and are updated regularly. Always check the official DHA tool before planning your application.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A few of the issues we most often see with documents prepared for visa applications.
Submitting uncertified or self-translated documents — Australian authorities generally require NAATI-certified translations for documents not in English.
Providing incomplete translations that omit stamps, seals or marginal notes from the original document.
Using documents that have expired or been superseded (for example, an old passport bio page).
Submitting low-quality scans or photos where text is partially unreadable.
Mismatched names across documents without a supporting change-of-name certificate or statutory declaration.
Missing pages — translators can only certify what they can clearly see.
People Also Need
Back to Skilled Visas
Parent category overview.
Skilled Visas — Document Checklist
Documents commonly translated for this category.
Birth Certificate Translation
Marriage Certificate Translation
Form 54 — Family Composition
Other Visas in Skilled Visas
Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated
State or territory nominated skilled visa.
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional
Regional provisional skilled visa.
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Frequently Asked Questions — Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189 Translation
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