Physiotherapist — Subclass 189 Pathway
Skilled Independent visa · Permanent
At a glance
- Visa
- Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent visa
- Points test
- Yes — points-tested via SkillSelect
- Sponsor
- No sponsor required
- Eligibility list
- MLTSSL
- Base fee
- from $4,640 (check immi.gov.au for current fee)
- Processing time
- ~8-15 months (median)
Skills assessment for this occupation
Assessing Physiotherapist for migration purposes is handled by: APC.
Each occupation has a single designated assessing authority — the one listed for the nominated ANZSCO code on this site.
Physiotherapist × Subclass 189 — pathway overview
Physiotherapist (ANZSCO 252511) appears on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), making it eligible for the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa — a permanent points-tested visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, state or territory government. The 189 visa is a points-tested visa and does not require employer sponsorship. Applicants must receive an invitation to apply through SkillSelect after submitting an Expression of Interest and achieving a sufficient points score. Invitations are issued from SkillSelect based on the applicant's points score, which is determined by factors such as age, English language proficiency, qualifications, and skilled work experience. A highly competitive score is typically needed. Before submitting an Expression of Interest, applicants must obtain a skills assessment from the Physiotherapy Board of Australia via AHPRA confirming their qualifications are suitable for work as a Physiotherapist in Australia. Standard health, character, and English language conditions apply. Registration with AHPRA is mandatory before commencing practice in Australia. For advice tailored to your individual circumstances, always consult a registered MARA migration agent.
Content last generated: 2026-06-26
Key requirements
High-level criteria for Subclass 189. Verify every requirement on immi.gov.au before applying.
- Under 45 years of age at invitation
- Competent English (IELTS 6 or equivalent)
- Positive skills assessment in a nominated MLTSSL occupation
- Submit Expression of Interest in SkillSelect and meet pass mark (currently 65, effective competitive minimum 90+)
- Health and character requirements
Other visa pathways for Physiotherapist
- 186Details →Employer Nomination Scheme visa
Permanent employer-sponsored visa for workers nominated by an approved sponsor.
- 190Details →Skilled Nominated visa
Permanent visa for workers nominated by a state or territory government.
- 482Details →Skills in Demand visa
Employer-sponsored temporary visa (formerly TSS) for occupations on the relevant list.
- 485Details →Temporary Graduate visa
Post-study work visa for recent graduates of Australian qualifications.
- 491Details →Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Five-year provisional visa for workers willing to live and work in regional Australia.
- 494Details →Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa
Five-year employer-sponsored provisional visa in regional Australia, with a path to PR.
State nominations for Physiotherapist
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.