The Invited Pathway, Subclass 489 Visa
You will have 60 calendar days to apply for your 489 visa after being invited to lodge an application. Once received, the Department of Immigration will then commence processing your application. The average global processing time is 75% of applications in 8 months.
If you have not held a provisional visa before, you should apply for the 489 visa through the Invited Pathway. In order to receive an invitation to apply for this visa, you must be:

• nominated by an Australian State or Territory government agency, or
• Sponsored by an eligible relative living in a Designated area of Australia.

Step 1: Check if your occupation is on the Skilled Occupation Lists
This visa is only available to people who can fill a position on this list.

Step 2: Ensure you meet all the eligibility requirements
You must meet the following requirements in order to apply:

• not yet turned 50 years of age
• at least competent English
• Meet the health requirements
• Meet the character requirements
• Do not have any outstanding debts to the Australian government
• Do not have any outstanding debts to the Australian government

Step 3: Complete a Skills Assessment
You must complete a Skills Assessment and obtain an acceptable score for your occupation in order to be eligible for the Subclass 489 visa. Instructions on how to get a proper Skills Assessment can be found on the DHA website.

Step 4: Submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect
Next, you will need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. The SkillSelect program will ask you a number of questions related to your background, skills, and relevant work history. Your EOI will be seen by the Australian authorities who may be looking for someone of your skill-set to hire.
If you obtain a nomination or sponsor and your EOI meets the requirements of the visa, you be invited to apply for the 189 visa.

Step 5: Find a sponsor or obtain a government nomination
The Skilled Independent Work Visa (subclass 189) requires you to be sponsored by a family member or nominated by a state or territory government. Once you find a suitable sponsor, they will send you a letter of invitation to apply for the visa. You will have 60 day from the time you receive the invitation to lodge your application.

Step 6: Apply for the Skilled Regional Provisional Visa (Subclass 489)
After you receive an invitation, you can lodge your application. You will have 60 days to do this. Your application will require that you submit several documents. To apply, you will follow the instructions on your letter of invitation.

Step 7: Wait for a decision
It can take several months for the DHA to make a decision on your visa application. In 2016, the processing time for the 489 visa was 3 months.

Step 8: Receive your visa and start working
Once your application is approved, you will receive your visa and can start work in Australia.

The average global processing time is currently 75% of applications processed in 6 months.
Please note that the above global processing times for all three pathways are subject to change as an assessment of eligibility occurs on a case-by-case basis and vary on the applicant’s circumstances.
It is understandable that there are some circumstances that will impact the processing time of your visa application, that may be out of your control. These include; the time for external agencies, namely health and police services, and the Government, to conduct checks and provide supporting information.
While the above circumstances are unavoidable, there are some factors which will ensure you a faster processing time. These include:

• Lodging a complete application, attached with all of the necessary supporting documents.
• Being prompt in responding to any additional information the Department requests.

This pathway is designed for individuals who belong to a family in which one of the members holds visa either under subclass 489 or any one of the subclass 475, 487, 497 or 496
Ability

• In order to become eligible for this pathway, a family member of applicants must be a holder of below-mentioned visa:
Skilled Regional (Provisional (subclass 489) – this visa
Skilled—Regional Sponsored visa (subclass 475)
Skilled—Regional Sponsored visa (subclass 487)
Skilled—Independent Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 495)
Skilled—Designated Area Sponsored visa (subclass 496).

• As such there are no requirements for the English language. If an applicant is more than 18 years with no functional English, the applicant will have to pay an extra fee called as the second installment.

Processing time
The process time for applications can vary case to case and can also vary due to individual circumstances like:

• whether the candidate has lodged a complete application, including all necessary supporting documents
• how promptly candidate respond to any requests for additional information
• how long it takes to perform required checks on the supporting information provided
• how long it takes to receive additional information from external agencies, particularly in relation to health, character, and national security requirements
• for permanent migration visa applications, how many places are available in the migration program
• For citizenship applications, the time taken to attend a Citizenship Ceremony or receive a Citizenship Certificate.

Benefits

• A candidate who is a holder of this visa is free to live and work as a permanent resident. That means, this visa holder can choose the location of the workplace and is free to live anywhere in Australia.
• A candidate with this visa can access the Medicare healthcare scheme
• A candidate can get a basic and advanced education in Australia
• Opportunity to apply for Citizenship. After spending a certain time in Australia, a candidate can apply for Citizenship
• Candidates can travel to and from Australia as many times as he or she want during the time of visa validation
• Candidate can live in Australia for up to 4 years.