Skilled Independent (subclass 189) and Skilled Work Regional (491) — points-tested migration

Document Checklist

Passport (bio-data page) Valid passport Required: Original current passport for the primary applicant and each accompanying family memberCost: Already issued The passport identity and travel history is the foundational record for the visa application and is also relied on by the assessing authority and the Department for the points-test eligibility evaluation.
Positive skills assessment Skills assessment result Issued by: The assessing authority listed against your nominated ANZSCO occupation on the Department's Skilled occupation list — for example ACS (ICT), Engineers Australia (engineering), VETASSESS (many general professional and trade occupations), CPA Australia or CA ANZ (accountancy), AHPRA (regulated health), TRA (trades)Validity: Typically three years from issue; must be current at time of invitation Applicants who pace the rest of the process too slowly find their skills assessment expires before invitation, which invalidates the EOI. Refresh the assessment well before the three-year mark if invitation has not yet arrived.
Competent English minimum (IELTS / PTE Academic / TOEFL iBT / Cambridge C1 Advanced / OET) English language test result Required minimum: IELTS 6.0 in each of the four bands (Competent), PTE Academic 50 in each communicative skill, or equivalent under Migration Regulations 1994 IMMI 07/055Validity: Three years from test date; must be current at time of invitationPoints-bearing tiers: Competent (no points), Proficient (IELTS 7.0 each band — 10 points), Superior (IELTS 8.0 each band — 20 points) Higher English scores attract substantial points and are often the most accessible way to lift the EOI above the competitive threshold. A test result that expires between EOI submission and invitation invalidates the EOI.
Civil registry birth record Birth certificate Required: For the primary applicant and each accompanying family memberWhere to get: Civil registry of the country of birth Foreign-language certificates require an authorised translation. Apostille is not generally required for skilled migration document evidence but the document must be a verifiable original or certified copy.
Civil registry marriage record / 12-month cohabitation evidence Marriage certificate or de facto evidence Required: Where a partner is included in the application or a partner-skill points claim is madeDe facto threshold: Minimum 12 months of cohabitation evidenced by joint financial accounts, shared housing, or other documentary evidence De facto partners must satisfy the 12-month threshold or evidence registration of the relationship in a relevant jurisdiction. The same evidentiary standard applies to same-sex de facto partners.
National police certificates from each country of 12+ months residence in the past 10 years Police clearance certificates Required: From the police authority of every country where the applicant has lived for a cumulative 12 months or more in the previous 10 years, cleared after the 16th birthdayCost: Varies by country, A$0–A$200+ per certificate Police certificates often have a 12-month freshness window for visa purposes. Coordinate certificate requests with the expected invitation date to avoid re-procurement.
eMedical examination via approved panel physician Health examination results Issued by: Bupa Medical Visa Services in most countries, or an Australian-approved panel physicianProcess: Health Examinations List (HAP ID) generated by the Department after visa lodgement; applicant books the examination and the panel physician uploads results electronically Public Interest Criterion 4007 (health) governs. Applicants with significant health histories should request a health-waiver assessment early — significant unresolved health concerns can defeat an otherwise successful application.
Payslips, employment contracts, employer references, tax returns Evidence of work experience Required: For all points claims on overseas or Australian skilled employment — references on company letterhead, dated payslips, employment contracts, and (where available) tax returns or social-security statements Skilled employment must be remunerated and at or above the duties of the nominated occupation. Unpaid internships and volunteer work generally do not count for the points-test claim.
Academic transcripts, degree certificates Evidence of educational qualifications Required: From the issuing institution for all qualifications claimed in the points testAustralian study qualifying: At least two academic years of study completed in Australia, leading to a qualification at AQF Diploma level or higher, from a CRICOS-registered institution Specialist Education Qualification (Master's by research or Doctorate in a STEM-related field from an Australian institution) attracts 10 points. Regional study (CRICOS-registered institution in a designated regional area) attracts an additional 5 points where the two-year study requirement is also met.
Personal particulars and additional personal particulars Form 80 and Form 1221 Required: Standard background-check forms completed by the applicant and submitted with the visa application Both forms are downloaded from the Department's form-listing portal. They capture detailed travel, residence, and personal history used by the security and character checks.
Partner skills assessment and partner English test result Partner skills evidence Required for 10 partner-skill points: Partner aged under 45, positive skills assessment in an occupation on the same skilled occupation list, and Competent EnglishAlternative claims: 5 points if the partner has Competent English but no skills assessment; 10 points if the partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident; 10 points for a single applicant Claiming partner-skill points without the partner meeting the under-45, skills-assessment, and English requirements is one of the most common points-claim errors and a frequent cause of refusal.
Federal Department of Home Affairs online accounts ImmiAccount and SkillSelect EOI Required: Free ImmiAccount; SkillSelect EOI submitted through the ImmiAccountCost: Free The ImmiAccount is the universal credential for federal visa interaction in Australia — EOI submission, visa application lodgement, document upload, and decision communication all run through it.

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