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About This Visa
The Skilled Migration Program, also known as the General Skilled Migration Program, is for people who have skills in particular occupations required in Australia but are not sponsored by an employer.
The visa given is often referred to as a skilled migrant visa or a general skilled migration visa.
189 Independent
This visa is aimed at overseas students who have finished their studies in the last six months and as the name suggests it is independent of sponsorship or other criteria and relies on the applicant's skill base alone.
190 Sponsored
This visa allows skilled workers who do not meet the point test for the skilled - independent visa to apply for permanent residency through state and territory nomination.
489 Regional Sponsored
This visa is designed to encourage migrants to live and work in regional areas of Australia where there are large skills shortages and significant numbers of job vacancies.
485 Graduate
This is an onshore visa for international students in Australia who do not satisfy the requirements for permanent skilled migration to Australia.
SkillSelect
From 01 July 2012, the Australian Government introduces an online service called SkillSelect. Intended applicants will need to record their details through an Expression of Interest (EOI). Applicants can then be nominated by Australia employers of state and territory governments through the SkillSelect model. An invitation is required before an application for a visa can be submitted.
Skilled Migration Visa Requirements
Applicants must be over 18 and under 50 years of age, with good English language ability, and relevant skilled work experience or qualification. Applicants must also have skills and qualifications for an occupation listed on Australia's Consolidated Skilled Occupation List (CSOL).
This program also works on a points basis with threshold points required.
There are different types of visas under the General Skilled Migration program, including skilled visa applicants who are sponsored by family members or State or Territory Governments.
Current Opportunities are Available for General Skilled Visas
We are currently seeking tradespeople (carpenters, electricians, plumbers, builders etc) and highly skilled professionals (doctors, nurses, engineers etc) to make applications for Australian migration. There is currently a critical shortage of these occupations in Australia and great employment opportunities.
Visa Requirements
189 Independent Skilled Visa
Who is eligible for 189 Independent Skilled Visa?
The visa is for skilled workers who are currently in or outside Australia who satisfy the point test. Applications are by invitation only and an intended applicant must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and have a suitable skills assessment for that occupation.
Other Requirements for an Independent Skilled Visa
You must be under the age of 50 years at the time of making application and have competent English language Skills. You must have skills or qualifications comparable to Australian Qualification in a skilled occupation on the Consolidated Skilled Occupation List (CSOL).
This visa is assessed on a points system and 60 points are required to qualify as well as meeting the standard conditions.
Points are awarded in the following categories:
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Age
-
English Language
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Australian and Overseas Work Experience
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Australian Study
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Qualifications
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Community Language
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Regional Australian Study
-
Spouse Skills
-
Professional Year
-
Benefits of the Independent Skilled Visa
This visa provides immediate permanent residency to the applicant and his or her immediate family who accompany them on their application.
190 Skilled-Nominated Visa
This visa allows skilled workers who do not meet the point test for the skilled - independent visa to apply for permanent residency through state and territory nomination.
This permanent visa category is assessed against the applicant's skills and requires the nomination from a state or territory.
Visa Sponsor Requirements
Your sponsor must be a State or Territory government. The visa is assessed on a points basis with 60 points required to qualify in addition to meeting the standard conditions.
Points are awarded in the following categories:
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Age
-
English Language
-
Australian and Overseas Work Experience
-
Australian Study
-
Qualifications
-
Community Language
-
Regional Australian Study
-
Spouse Skills
-
State Sponsorship Points
-
Professional Year
Who is eligible for a 190 Skilled-Nominated Visa?
The visa is for skilled workers who are currently in or outside Australia who staisfy the point test. Applications are by invitation only and an intended applicant must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and have a suitable skills assessment for that occupation. The applicant will also require an approved nomination from the state or territory government.
Other Requirements for a Skilled-Nominated Visa
You must be under the age of 50 years at the time of making application and have good English Skills. You must have skills or qualifications comparable to an Australian Qualification in a skilled occupation on the Consolidated Skilled Occupation List (CSOL).
Benefits of the Skilled-Nominated Visa
This visa provides immediate permanent residency to the applicant and his or her immediate family. There is no waiting period associated with this visa.
489 Regional Sponsored (Provisional)
This is a four year provisional visa which gives the applicant temporary residency.
This visa is designed to encourage migrants to live and work in regional areas of Australia where there are large skills shortages and significant numbers of job vacancies.
Requirements for a Regional Sponsored Skilled Visa
The visa requires sponsorship from an eligible relative living in a designated region of Australia or from a State or Territory Government.
This visa is points tested with 60 points required to be eligible as well as satisfying the standard conditions.
Points are awarded in the following categories:
-
Age
-
English Language
-
Australian and Overseas Work Experience
-
Australian Study
-
Qualifications
-
Community Language
-
Regional Australian Study
-
Spouse Skills
-
State or Family Sponsorship
-
Professional Year
Benefits of the Regional Sponsored Skilled Visa
This visa gives the applicant and his or her immediate family temporary residency and permanent residency once the conditions are satisfied.
Once the applicant has lived for two years and worked full-time for one year in a specified regional area of Australia permanent residency is available.
Note: Holders of visa subclasses 495, 496, 475 and 489 who have met all the conditions of that visa may be eligible to apply for a subclass 489 visa, allowing a further stay for an additional year.
Social Security
What does a skilled visa entitle me to?
For most skilled visas, if your application is successful, you will be granted permanent residency in Australia. As a permanent resident, you have the right to live, work and study in Australia indefinitely.
You will receive immediate entitlement to public healthcare, administered through a Government scheme called Medicare. Children aged 6-18 will be eligible to attend public (government-funded) schools in Australia. There is a two year waiting period before you are entitled to receive social security payments, including sickness and unemployment benefits.
Generally, permanent residents can work for any employer in any occupation. However, employment in the Australian Public Service or Defence Force is usually restricted to Australian citizens.
After living in Australia for at least four years as a lawful resident, you may decide to apply for Australian citizenship, or you can continue to retain your current citizenship. As an Australian citizen, you can vote in Federal, State or local government elections or stand for election as a candidate in these elections.
When you first migrate to Australia, there is a two year waiting period before you are entitled to receive social security payments including sickness, unemployment and student benefits from Centrelink (Australia's Social Security Department).
It is therefore essential that you have sufficient funds to support yourself (and your family) for at least your first 2 years in Australia. If you are being sponsored by a relative in Australia, you should ensure they are fully aware of their obligations over this two year period.