Skilled visa document checklist

• Prove what you claimed. If you are invited, you have to provide documents supporting every claim in your Expression of Interest. Gather them before you submit the EOI, not after the invitation arrives.
• 60 days, no extension. Once invited you have 60 days to lodge, and the Department cannot extend that time.
• The 190 also needs a nomination from a state or territory government, which sets its own nomination requirements.

Your claims

1. Skills assessment for your nominated occupationYou must declare a suitable skills assessment at the time of invitation and provide a copy with your application. It must have been obtained in the 3 years before the date of invitation, or within any shorter period the assessment was given for. Following the Thapa decision, the Department also accepts a suitable assessment obtained within the 60-day invitation period. An assessment based on an Australian qualification gained on a student visa must come from a CRICOS-registered course.Always
2. Proof of at least competent EnglishAt the time of invitation. A citizen holding a valid passport from the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada or New Zealand meets it with that passport. Otherwise use a test result from the Department's list. Tests delivered completely online are not accepted.Always
3. Evidence for each points claimAge, English, skilled employment, qualifications, Australian study, specialist education, regional study, a Professional Year, a credentialled community language and your partner's skills each need their own evidence. Check the claims you made against the points table.Always
4. Registration or admission to practiseDoctors need AHPRA registration and lawyers need proof of admission to practise, both held at the time of invitation.Doctors and lawyers

Skilled employment

1. Employment referencesOn official letterhead with the employer's full street address (not a PO box), giving the exact period of employment, each position held, whether it was permanent or temporary and full or part time, the main duties, the salary, the signatory's name and position, and a direct contact number. A reference with only an illegible signature is not accepted.If claiming points
2. Other employment evidenceContracts, payslips, tax statements, payment summaries and superannuation information. The evidence must relate to employment before the date of invitation, in your nominated or a closely related occupation, at 20 hours or more a week, in the 10 years before invitation.If claiming points

Identity

1. Current passportThe pages showing your photo, personal details, and the issue and expiry dates.Always
2. National identity cardIf you have one
3. Evidence of any change of nameFor example a marriage or divorce certificate, or change of name documents from a births, deaths and marriages registry.If it applies
4. Relationship documentsIf you are married, widowed, divorced or separated: marriage, divorce, death or separation documents, or statutory declarations.If it applies
5. The reason any partner or child is not includedFor example, that they already hold Australian citizenship or permanent residence.If it applies

Character

1. Australian police certificateIf you have spent 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since you turned 16. Only a complete disclosure certificate from the Australian Federal Police is accepted, and it is valid for 12 months from issue.12 months or more in Australia
2. Overseas police certificatesFrom every country, including your home country, where you spent a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since you turned 16.12 months or more in a country
3. Military service records or discharge papersIf you served in the armed forces of any country.If you served
4. Form 80 and Form 1221Personal particulars for assessment including character assessment (Form 80) and Additional personal particulars information (Form 1221). Complete and provide both.Always

Partner and children

1. Your partner's identity, character and relationship documentsIdentity documents and photos, character documents, a marriage certificate if you are married, and documents from other relationships if they apply. De facto partners need evidence that the relationship is registered with an Australian state or territory, or of at least 12 months together before you apply, plus evidence the relationship is genuine and continuing, such as joint bank accounts, bills, leases or mortgages and the same address.If included
2. Functional English for each family member aged 18 or overNo documents are needed for a citizen holding a valid passport from the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada or New Zealand. Otherwise provide proof, or a second instalment of the visa charge is payable. Children under 18 do not need to prove functional English.If included
3. For each child under 18A birth certificate or family book showing both parents' names, and adoption papers if they apply. If someone with a legal right to decide where the child lives is not coming, their consent on Form 1229 or a statutory declaration with their identity document, or an Australian court order, or evidence that home-country law allows it.If included
4. For each dependent child aged 18 or overOnly a child under 23 who depends on you, or one unable to earn a living because of physical or cognitive limitations. Provide identity documents, Form 47a, proof of the relationship, proof of financial dependency, and a medical report if the child is 23 or turning 23.If included

Preparing your documents

• Translations. Have every document not in English translated, and provide the original and the translation.
• No certified copies needed. Scan in colour, and put each multi-page document in a single file.
• Form 956 (or 956A for an authorised recipient) is needed if a registered migration agent or authorised recipient acts for you.

Sources, checked 8 November 2026. Department of Home Affairs: Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) Points-tested stream · Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) · Points table for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) · Competent English. Ticks are saved on this device only. This checklist is general information drawn from the Department's pages, not migration advice, and it does not cover every circumstance. What you need depends on your situation, and the Department can ask for more.