🇦🇺Australia
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
Sponsor-free permanent skilled migration based on points and occupation list.
Required documents
- ·Skills assessment from relevant assessing authority
- ·English test (IELTS 6.0+ or equivalent)
- ·Police clearances, medicals
Things to know
- ·Invitation rounds run roughly monthly; cut-offs vary by occupation.
- ·189 points threshold is competitive — most invited candidates score 85+.
Apostille & legalization
Apostille routeApostille only — both United States and Australia are parties to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention.
Documents that must be apostilled
- ·Police / criminal-record clearance
- ·Medical certificate
Bank statements, employment contracts, photos, passport copies and the application form itself do not need an apostille.
- Obtain originals or certified copies of each civil/criminal record (birth certificate, marriage certificate, police clearance, diploma, etc.).
- Have each document apostilled by the competent authority in United States (U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications).
- Translate the apostilled document into the official language of Australia — the apostille itself is also translated.
- Submit the apostilled + translated bundle directly to the Australia immigration authority or consulate; no further consular stamp is required.
Translation: Most documents must be translated into the local language by a certified translator. Agency translations are usually accepted.
Issuing authority in United States: U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications
Documents older than 3–6 months are often rejected. Plan to obtain fresh originals shortly before your visa application.
Verified 2026 — confirm current rules before applying.
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