1. Overview
Know these facts cold before the first client conversation - they are also what the exam below tests. This visa IS permanent residence. Pathway to citizenship after meeting residence requirements.
Visa typePermanent
LodgementOnshore or offshore
StayPermanent
Work rightsUnlimited - full PR work rights
Study rightsYes
Government charge~$4,910 (main applicant)
Processing time~5-12 months
2. Process flow
The handling sequence for a 189 file, from first consultation to decision. Each step assumes the one before it is genuinely finished - not "mostly done".
- Screen hard before promising anything
Occupation on the right list, realistic points (treat 65-74 as soft - invitation rounds run higher), under 45, and a viable skills assessment route. Most 189 problems are created at this step.
- Skills assessment
Lodge with the relevant assessing authority for the occupation. This is the longest lead-time item and everything downstream depends on it.
- English test
Book early; higher scores earn points. The result must be valid at invitation.
- Build and lodge the EOI
Claim only points you can evidence today. Over-claiming is discovered at lodgement, after the invitation, when it is fatal.
- Invitation and lodgement
On invitation there are 60 days to lodge with full evidence for every point claimed. Prepare the evidence pack before the invitation, not after.
- Health, character, decision
Complete medicals and police certificates promptly; monitor for natural-justice letters and respond inside the deadline.
5. Cost checklist
Quote the full stack, in writing, before the client signs. Surprise costs are the fastest way to lose a client's trust (and earn a complaint).
| Item | Indicative amount |
|---|
| Base visa application charge (2025-26, indicative) | ~$4,910 (main applicant) |
| Skills assessment (authority-dependent) | ~$500-1,600 |
| English test | ~$400-460 |
| Health examinations (per person) | ~$300-500 |
| Police certificates (AFP ~$42 each; foreign vary) | ~$42-150 each |
| Additional applicant charges | Roughly 50% (18+) / 25% (under 18) of the base charge |
| Your professional fee | Per your agency's schedule - quote in writing before Form 956 |
| Rule of thumb | Government charges usually change every 1 July - re-quote any file that lodges after 30 June |
7. Case studies - eligible cases
Illustrative composites showing what a grantable 189 file looks like in practice.
Grant: Farid from Colombia
- Background
- Farid, a software engineer from Colombia. Skilled workers with an eligible occupation who can qualify on points alone - no sponsor needed.
- Why it qualified
- (1) Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect and receive an invitation. (2) An occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list. (3) A suitable skills assessment for your occupation.
- What made the file strong
- The agent tested the weakest criterion first and fixed it before lodging, not after a natural-justice letter.
- Outcome
- Granted within the indicative processing window (~5-12 months).
Grant: Sofia from Iran
- Background
- Sofia, a registered nurse from Iran. Skilled workers with an eligible occupation who can qualify on points alone - no sponsor needed.
- Why it qualified
- (1) Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect and receive an invitation. (2) An occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list. (3) A suitable skills assessment for your occupation.
- What made the file strong
- Dates, names and figures matched across every document - no internal inconsistencies to trigger checks.
- Outcome
- Granted within the indicative processing window (~5-12 months).
8. Case studies - refusal cases
The same visa, handled badly. Every one of these failure modes is screenable at the first consultation.
Refusal: Sipho from Sri Lanka
- Background
- Sipho, a civil engineer from Sri Lanka, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 189.
- What went wrong
- Over-claiming points you can't later evidence (age, English, experience)
- Outcome
- The case officer decided on the papers without a further request - the file had to stand on its own, and it could not.
- Lesson for the agent
- Front-load the file - address the weakness squarely in a submission instead of hoping the case officer will not notice.
Refusal: Grace from India
- Background
- Grace, an external auditor from India, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 189.
- What went wrong
- A skills assessment that comes back negative or partial
- Outcome
- The refusal went to review: another year, more cost, and no certainty the outcome changes.
- Lesson for the agent
- Screen for this at the first consultation, before money changes hands. It is cheaper to delay a lodgement than to fight a refusal.
9. Self-exam
10 questions drawn from this manual. Pass mark 80%. Answers are graded on the server and your result is recorded against your agent profile - retakes are unlimited and your best score is kept. Log in to the agent portal first so your result is saved to My trainings.