AUD 4,910 for the visa itself. AUD 530-1,170 for Skills Assessment. Then AUD 60-100 per page for NAATI translation - and you might have 20-30 pages when you add up your diploma, transcript, employment record book, and work references. Skilled Worker Visa subclass 189 or 190 is a direct path to permanent residency in Australia, but without properly translated education and work documents, you won’t make it past the front door.
If you’re already familiar with NAATI translation for Australian immigration or you’ve been through Skills Assessment, this article is the next level. Here we’ll break down the specific document package for visas 189 and 190: what to translate, how to format employment references correctly, how many points you need, and where Ukrainians most often trip up.
Visa 189 vs 190: What’s the Difference and Which One to Choose¶
Both visas grant permanent residency (PR) in Australia from day one. The difference is who “backs” your application and how many points you need.
Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) - you apply entirely on your own. No employer needed, no state nomination. You score your points, submit an EOI (Expression of Interest) through SkillSelect, and wait for an invitation. Sounds simple? In practice, this is the most competitive visa - in 2026, most invitations go to applicants with 85-95 points.
Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) - one of Australia’s 8 states or territories nominates you. In exchange, you get a +5 point bonus but commit to living in that state for at least 2 years. For 2025-2026, 12,850 places are allocated for visa 190 - and competition is growing.
| Parameter | Visa 189 | Visa 190 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Independent | State Nominated |
| Minimum points | 65 (realistically 85-95) | 65 (including +5 for nomination) |
| Sponsorship | Not required | State nomination |
| Residency restriction | None | 2 years in nominating state |
| Places 2025-26 | Limited | 12,850 |
| Visa cost | AUD 4,910 | AUD 4,910 |
| Status | Permanent residency | Permanent residency |
As the Department of Home Affairs states:
To be eligible for this visa, you must be invited to apply. You must submit an expression of interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. If your EOI is successful, you will be invited to apply for this visa.
Both visas require the same core elements: a positive Skills Assessment + enough points + a complete package of translated documents. And it’s the documents where most people stumble.
Points Test: How to Hit the Threshold¶
Officially, the minimum is 65 points. But let’s be honest: nobody gets invited with 65 points anymore. In 2026, the realistic threshold for an invitation is 85-95 points depending on your occupation. For priority occupations (healthcare, education, construction), invitations may go out at 75-80 points.
Here’s how points are calculated:
Age¶
| Age at time of invitation | Points |
|---|---|
| 18-24 | 25 |
| 25-32 | 30 |
| 33-39 | 25 |
| 40-44 | 15 |
| 45+ | 0 (can’t apply) |
Maximum for age is 30 points, and that window is 25-32. If you’re 33+, you’re already losing 5 points that need to be made up elsewhere.
English Language¶
| Level | IELTS | PTE | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Competent | 6.0 each band | 50+ | 0 |
| Proficient | 7.0 each band | 65+ | 10 |
| Superior | 8.0 each band | 79+ | 20 |
Superior English is worth +20 points. For a Ukrainian applicant, this is a real way to compensate for lost age points or lack of Australian work experience. Investing in IELTS/PTE preparation literally converts into immigration points.
Work Experience¶
| Type of experience | Years | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Overseas (Ukraine) | 3-4 | 5 |
| Overseas (Ukraine) | 5-7 | 10 |
| Overseas (Ukraine) | 8+ | 15 |
| Australian | 1-2 | 5 |
| Australian | 3-4 | 10 |
| Australian | 5-7 | 15 |
| Australian | 8+ | 20 |
The maximum for combined overseas and Australian experience is 20 points. Notice how Australian experience gives more points for fewer years. But for most Ukrainians, overseas experience is the main source of work-related points.
Education¶
| Qualification | Points |
|---|---|
| Doctorate (PhD) | 20 |
| Bachelor’s or Master’s | 15 |
| Diploma or trade qualification | 10 |
| Qualification for nominated occupation | 10 |
A STEM qualification from an Australian institution adds another +5 bonus points.
Additional Points¶
- State nomination (190): +5
- Partner with Skills Assessment and Competent English: +10
- Partner with Competent English (no Skills Assessment): +5
- Single applicant or partner is Australian citizen: +10
- NAATI certification (community language): +5
- Professional Year in Australia: +5
- Study in regional Australia: +5
Speaking of NAATI: if you’re a translator who’s passed the NAATI Certified Translator test, that’s another +5 points on your visa application.
Education Documents You Need to Translate¶
Education documents are the foundation of your application. Without them, you won’t pass Skills Assessment, and without Skills Assessment, you can’t submit an EOI.
University Diploma and Transcript¶
Your Ukrainian university diploma gets translated in full - the cover, the main document, and the entire transcript with grades. Every page. Even if your transcript runs 12 pages with subjects whose names you’ve already forgotten - everything gets translated.
Assessing authorities look at: - The name of your specialization (does it match the nominated occupation?) - Duration of study (minimum 2-3 years for bachelor’s level) - List of subjects (for IT, ACS checks whether there are enough ICT subjects in the curriculum) - Total study hours
A common problem for Ukrainians: subject names in the diploma transcript often don’t have a direct English equivalent. “Вища математика” is Higher Mathematics, not “Supreme Mathematics” (yes, we’ve seen that). “Охорона праці” is Occupational Health and Safety, not “Labour Protection.” The translation needs to be accurate in meaning, not word-for-word literal.
High School Certificate¶
For most Skills Assessments, a high school certificate isn’t needed - they evaluate higher education. But for some occupations through VETASSESS (where diploma level is sufficient), a school certificate might be useful as additional evidence. If you’re submitting it - translate it fully, including the grade supplement.
You can read more about translating school certificates in the article on translating school certificates for education abroad - the formatting principles are similar.
Professional Certificates and Courses¶
If you have additional certifications (Cisco, AWS, PMP, Coursera or Udemy courses) - you can submit them as qualification evidence too. But only if they’re relevant to your nominated occupation. Certificates already in English don’t need translation - submit them as is.
Ukrainian certificates from training courses, however - translate them, even if they seem “minor.” Every additional document strengthens your application.
Work Documents You Need to Translate¶
Work experience documentation is where the real challenge begins. Australia doesn’t just want you to “confirm your employment history” - they want a detailed description of exactly what you did at each workplace.
Employment Reference Letter¶
This is the key document for proving work experience. Don’t confuse it with a “recommendation letter” in the traditional sense (where someone writes “Ivan is great, highly recommend”). In Australia, this is a formalized document with a strict structure.
Your reference letter must be from a company or an accountant, and must include the start and finish date of employment, position, a description of duties performed in detail, salary, hours worked per week, and be on company letterhead.
What your Reference Letter must include:
- Company letterhead with full address, phone, email, website
- Full name and position of the signatory (HR manager, director, direct supervisor)
- Contact phone number of the signatory - DHA may call to verify
- Employment dates - exact: “from June 15, 2018 to March 31, 2023”, not “from 2018 to 2023”
- Job title - full title
- Minimum 5 key duties - described in detail, using active verbs. Not “responsible for development”, but “developed server-side web applications using Python/Django, designed REST APIs, conducted code reviews”
- Hours per week - full-time = 38+ hours
- Salary - annual or monthly, with currency
- Employment type - full/part-time, permanent/temporary/contract
The problem for Ukrainians: detailed reference letters aren’t common practice back home. A typical Ukrainian “employment certificate” is one paragraph with dates and a job title. For Australia, that’s completely insufficient.
What to do? Draft the letter yourself following the correct structure, then give it to your employer for signature and stamp. Most former employers don’t mind - it’s actually easier for them.
Employment Record Book (Trudova Knyzhka)¶
Australia doesn’t have an equivalent of the Ukrainian employment record book, but it’s very useful for verifying Ukrainian work history. You need to translate every page with entries - it confirms the chronology of your employment.
The employment record book is supplementary to Reference Letters, not a replacement. Skills Assessment organizations want to see both.
If your employment record book was lost due to the war, check the article on restoring lost documents. There are alternative paths to verify your employment history.
Additional Supporting Documents¶
Australia loves “cross-verification.” The more documents that confirm the same fact, the better. Here’s what else you can submit:
- Payslips - minimum 2 per year of claimed employment
- Bank statements - confirm salary receipt
- Tax declarations - confirm income and workplace
- Employment contracts - formal agreements with employers
All of these documents in Ukrainian need translation. Every page equals a separate translation page.
NAATI Translation vs Overseas Translation: Which to Choose¶
If you’re currently in Australia - only NAATI-certified translation. No exceptions. The Department of Home Affairs won’t accept anything else.
If you’re applying from overseas (from Ukraine, for example) - you can technically use a “qualified translator.” But in practice, NAATI translation is better for several reasons:
- Fewer questions - assessors and immigration officers recognize the NAATI format and trust it immediately
- Standardized format - translator’s name, accreditation number, stamp, signature. Clean and clear
- Lower rejection risk - translations from unknown overseas translators are more likely to be sent back
- Online verification - a NAATI translator’s number can be checked in the official NAATI directory
As stated on the official DHA website:
Documents not in English must be accompanied by accredited translations. If you are in Australia, translations should be done by a translator accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).
NAATI translation pricing for Ukrainian to English in 2026:
| Service Type | Price (AUD) | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (1 page) | 60-100 | 3-5 business days |
| Urgent (24 hours) | 90-150 | 24 hours |
| Super urgent (12 hours) | 120-200 | 12 hours |
| Academic documents (diploma + transcript) | 88-180 | 3-5 business days |
According to Australian Translation Services, standard NAATI translation in 2026 starts from AUD 60 per page for template-based documents and can reach AUD 200+ for complex legal texts.
If you’re on a tight deadline and need a quick translation to understand what a document contains (before ordering official NAATI), you can try ChatsControl - AI translation with quality checks will help you figure out what’s in the document before committing to the official translation.
Full Cost Breakdown: What You’ll Actually Pay¶
Let’s calculate the real cost of a 189/190 visa application for a single applicant from Ukraine.
| Expense | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Skills Assessment (ACS for IT) | 530 |
| Skills Assessment (Engineers Australia) | 1,170 |
| Skills Assessment (VETASSESS) | 630-830 |
| IELTS/PTE test | 400-420 |
| NAATI translation of diploma + transcript (10-15 pages) | 600-1,500 |
| NAATI translation of employment record book (5-10 pages) | 300-1,000 |
| NAATI translation of work references (3-5 letters) | 300-800 |
| NAATI translation of other documents | 200-500 |
| Visa 189/190 - primary applicant | 4,910 |
| Medical examination | 400-500 |
| Police clearance certificate (Ukraine) | 50-100 |
| Total (IT professional, approximate) | 7,700-10,000+ |
For a family, add AUD 2,455 for a partner and AUD 1,230 per child for the visa alone. Plus translation of their documents (birth certificates, marriage certificate, medical documents).
As Immigration Experts reports, the total cost of obtaining PR through skilled migration for a single applicant ranges from AUD 7,000 to AUD 10,000.
Pro tip: don’t cut corners on translation. A cheap translation that gets sent back for revision means double the cost and weeks lost. Better to do it right the first time.
Step-by-Step Process: From EOI to Visa¶
Here’s how the entire journey looks:
Step 1: Skills Assessment (2-12 weeks)¶
Submit your documents for qualification assessment to the relevant organization (ACS, Engineers Australia, VETASSESS, etc.). All non-English documents come with NAATI translations. Wait for the result.
For Skills Assessment details, check the dedicated article with full breakdown.
Step 2: Pass Your English Test (IELTS/PTE)¶
Prepare and sit the test in parallel with Skills Assessment. Results are valid for 3 years from the test date.
Step 3: Submit EOI Through SkillSelect¶
Fill out your Expression of Interest on the SkillSelect website. Enter all your points, attach Skills Assessment results and English test scores.
For visa 190, get your state nomination first, then submit the EOI.
Step 4: Receive Your Invitation to Apply (ITA)¶
If your score is high enough, you’ll receive an ITA. This can take anywhere from a few weeks (90+ points in a priority occupation) to 12+ months (75-80 points in a non-priority one). Once you receive the ITA, you have 60 days to lodge your full application.
Step 5: Lodge Your Visa Application¶
Submit through ImmiAccount. Here you upload EVERYTHING: translated documents, originals, medical examination results, police clearance certificates, Form 80 (Personal Particulars), Form 1221.
Step 6: Wait for a Decision (3-18 months)¶
According to Leading Edge Migration, average processing times in 2026: - Priority occupations (healthcare, education): 3-6 months - Standard occupations: 8-18 months
What can you do while waiting? Gather additional supporting documents in case DHA requests them.
Common Mistakes Ukrainians Make¶
We’ve worked with dozens of cases from Ukrainians applying for 189/190, and the same mistakes come up again and again.
1. Not Enough Detail in Reference Letters¶
The most common mistake by far. Writing “worked as a programmer” instead of a detailed list of duties. The Department of Home Affairs wants specifics: which technologies, which projects, how many hours per week.
2. Date Mismatches¶
Dates in the employment record book don’t match dates in the Reference Letter. Or the EOI shows different dates than the documents. DHA checks this, and any discrepancy triggers a request for additional evidence - or a refusal.
3. DIY Translation¶
A friend who “speaks English” translated the diploma. Or someone used Google Translate and edited it a bit. Such translations have no legal standing and will be returned. Skills Assessment organizations and DHA explicitly require translation by an authorized translator.
4. Forgetting the Diploma Transcript¶
Translated the diploma itself but “forgot” the 12-page transcript with grades. The transcript is actually the key document for ACS, because they use it to check the percentage of ICT subjects in your program.
5. No Payslips Prepared¶
Reference Letter - check. Employment record book - check. Payslips - none. DHA can request them as additional proof. If payslips aren’t available, prepare bank statements or tax declarations instead.
6. Applying with Expired Skills Assessment¶
Skills Assessment results have a validity period (usually 3 years). If you got your assessment 2 years ago and never applied - check whether it’s still valid.
7. Missing NAATI Number on Translation¶
The translation has a signature and stamp, but no NAATI accreditation number. Without it, DHA can’t verify the translator’s legitimacy in the NAATI directory.
If you want to avoid these mistakes, work with a migration agent (MARA-registered) and order translations only from NAATI-certified translators. Yes, it’s an additional expense, but it pays for itself through zero delays and no resubmissions.
Tips to Save Time and Money¶
Prepare Documents in Parallel¶
Don’t wait for Skills Assessment results before ordering translations of other documents. While you’re waiting for the assessment (2-12 weeks), translate your passport, certificates, police clearance, and medical documents. This can save you months.
Check State Nomination Requirements Early¶
Each Australian state has its own list of priority occupations and its own additional requirements. Before applying for 190, check state occupation lists - your occupation might not be on your preferred state’s list but could be listed in another.
Prepare Reference Letters Early¶
Especially if you no longer work at that company. Reaching out to a former employer a year from now will be harder than doing it today. Draft the letter following the correct structure and ask them to sign it while you’re still in contact.
Use AI for Draft Translations¶
For preparing draft translations or checking existing translations before submitting to NAATI, ChatsControl can save time. Upload your document - get an AI translation with multiple rounds of quality checking. It doesn’t replace NAATI for official submissions, but it helps you understand what’s in the document and speeds up preparation.
Bundle Your Documents¶
If you’re ordering NAATI translation of multiple documents at once, most translators offer package discounts. Ordering 20 pages together is cheaper than 5 separate orders of 4 pages each.
FAQ¶
How much does it cost to translate all documents for visa 189/190?¶
It depends on the number of documents, but for a standard package (diploma + transcript + employment record book + 2-3 work references + passport + certificates), budget AUD 1,500-3,500 for NAATI translation. That’s at standard turnaround of 3-5 business days. Urgent translation costs 1.5-2x more.
Do I have to translate my employment record book (trudova knyzhka) for Australia?¶
It’s not technically mandatory, but it significantly strengthens your application. DHA and Skills Assessment organizations use it for cross-referencing employment dates. If you have one - translate it.
Can I submit a translation done in Ukraine instead of NAATI?¶
If you’re applying from overseas - yes, a translation from a qualified Ukrainian translator is technically accepted. But it must include the translator’s full name, qualifications, contact details, and signature. In practice, NAATI translation reduces the risk of additional document requests.
How many points do I realistically need for an invitation in 2026?¶
The official minimum is 65 points, but realistically in 2026 you need 85-95 points for most occupations. For priority fields (healthcare, education, construction), invitations may go out at 75-80 points. Check the current invitation rounds.
How long does the whole process take from start to visa grant?¶
Anywhere from 6 months (if everything is ready and you have a high score) to 2+ years. Typical timeline: Skills Assessment (2-12 weeks) + EOI preparation and waiting for invitation (1-12 months) + visa lodgement and processing (3-18 months). Preparing documents in parallel can save you 2-3 months.
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