No-Employer Migration: Get Your Aussie Visa on Your Own Terms
No sponsor? No problem. Your skills and points are your ticket to Australia.
What Is No-Employer Migration?
In Australia's migration system, there's a category of visas that don't require any employer sponsorship. All you need is:
- An occupation on the government's "Skilled Occupation List"
- A positive skills assessment
- Minimum 65 points on the points test
- Meet English and age requirements
Then you submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) online and wait for an invitation. Once invited, you can lodge your visa.
Three Pathways Without Employer Sponsorship
Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent
Total freedom
| Visa Type | Permanent |
|---|---|
| Sponsorship | ❌ None required |
| Residency restrictions | ❌ Live anywhere in Australia |
| Bonus points | None |
Pros: Permanent residency from day one. Live wherever you want—Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast—your choice.
Cons: Most competitive. Popular occupations typically need 85-90+ points to get invited.
Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated
State government gives you a boost
| Visa Type | Permanent |
|---|---|
| Sponsorship | State government nomination |
| Residency restrictions | Must live in nominating state for 2 years |
| Bonus points | +5 points |
Pros: Extra 5 points from state nomination lowers the bar. More realistic for mid-range scorers.
Cons: You're committed to living in that state for the first 2 years. Moving earlier could affect your visa.
Popular state nomination occupations:
- NSW/VIC: IT, Engineering, Healthcare
- SA: Accounting, Chefs, Nursing
- QLD: Teachers, Social Workers, Construction
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional
The most accessible skilled visa
| Visa Type | 5-year provisional, leads to PR |
|---|---|
| Sponsorship | State nomination OR relative in regional area |
| Residency restrictions | Must live in regional Australia |
| Bonus points | +15 points |
Pros: A massive 15-point boost. Makes skilled migration realistic for people who otherwise wouldn't qualify. After 3 years, you can apply for the 191 permanent visa.
Cons: You must live and work in a "regional area." Regional = everywhere except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane downtown.
Points Table Quick Reference
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
| Age 25-32 | 30 |
| Age 33-39 | 25 |
| Age 40-44 | 15 |
| IELTS 7.0 in each band | 10 |
| IELTS 8.0 in each band | 20 |
| Australian qualification (Bachelor+) | 15-20 |
| Overseas work experience (8+ years) | 15 |
| Australian work experience (3+ years) | 10 |
| State nomination (190) | 5 |
| Regional nomination (491) | 15 |
| Single / Partner with skills assessment + IELTS 6 | 10 |
Minimum to submit EOI: 65 points
Reality for popular occupations: 85+ points
Which Occupations Qualify?
The Department of Home Affairs maintains several occupation lists:
MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term) — Eligible for 189
- Accountants, Auditors
- Software Engineers, Developers
- Registered Nurses
- Electrical Engineers
- Secondary School Teachers
STSOL (Short-term) — Mainly 190/491
- Chefs
- Graphic Designers
- Marketing Specialists
- Social Workers
ROL (Regional Occupation List) — 491 only
- Many semi-skilled roles
- States also have supplementary lists
Application Process
Step 1: Skills Assessment
Submit your qualifications and work experience to the relevant assessing body (e.g., CPA for accountants, Engineers Australia for engineers). You need a "positive" outcome.
Step 2: English Test
IELTS, PTE, TOEFL—choose your weapon. Minimum is 6.0 in each band, but for competitive points you need 7.0 or 8.0.
Step 3: Submit EOI
Lodge your Expression of Interest through SkillSelect. It's free. Just fill in your details and points claim.
Step 4: Wait for Invitation
The department sends invitations monthly, highest scores first. Same score? Earlier EOI gets priority.
Step 5: Lodge Visa
Once invited, you have 60 days to submit your formal application. This is when you pay fees, do health checks, and get police clearances.
Step 6: Visa Granted
Processing usually takes 6-12 months. 189 = immediate PR. 491 = 5-year provisional, then apply for 191 permanent visa after 3 years.
Which Visa Should You Choose?
| Your Situation | Recommended |
|---|---|
| High points (85+), want to live anywhere | 189 |
| Medium points (70-80), willing to commit to a state | 190 |
| Lower points (65-75), okay with regional living | 491 |
| Have a relative in a regional area | 491 (relative sponsored) |
Common Questions
Q: Can I apply from overseas?
A: Yes. All three visas accept offshore applications.
Q: The 189 cutoff is too high. What do I do?
A: Consider 190 or 491. The 491 especially—that 15-point boost helps a lot of people get across the line.
Q: Is "regional" really that remote?
A: Not at all. Adelaide, Canberra, Perth, and Gold Coast all count as regional. These are modern cities with everything you need.
Q: How long is my EOI valid?
A: 2 years. If you're not invited within that time, it expires automatically. You can submit a new one.
Q: Can I improve my points while waiting?
A: Absolutely. Many people keep studying English or building work experience while in the queue. Update your EOI when your score increases—it'll refresh your position.
Official Sources
This information comes directly from the Australian Department of Home Affairs:
- Skilled Independent 189
- Skilled Nominated 190
- Skilled Work Regional 491
- SkillSelect EOI System
- Skilled Occupation List
Next Steps
Not sure how many points you have? AUSVJ can help:
- Free assessment of your points situation
- Recommendation on the best visa for you
- Strategy to boost your score
- Complete skills assessment and visa application support
Contact us for a free assessment →
Last updated: January 2026
Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs
