General Skilled Migration

Overview

There is a range of visa options under the General Skilled Migration programme for skilled workers who want to live in Australia and who do not have an employer sponsoring them.

These include options for skilled people applying as an independent migrant as well as those sponsored by a relative, or nominated by a State or Territory government. All visas in the Skilled Migration category have the following requirements for applicants:

• You must be under 45 years old when you apply;
• You must possess a high level of English competency;
• You must have nominated an occupation on the relevant list of skilled occupations;
• Your skills and qualifications must have been assessed by the relevant Australian skills assessing authority as being suitable for your nominated occupation; and
• You must have recent skilled work experience in an occupation on the relevant list of skilled occupations. The amount of work experience that you must have depends on the occupation that you nominate; OR
• You must have recently completed an Australian qualification after having studied for at least two years full-time in an approved course; and
• You must meet all health and character requirements.

All applications in this category are assessed against a ‘points test’. Different visas require a different number of points to be met by applicants. Applicants are allocated points for a range of criteria, including your age, skills, English ability, and whether you are sponsored by an Australian relative.

Applicants must also have skills and qualifications for an occupation listed on Australia's Skilled Occupation List (SOL).The SOL list also determines the number of points for a specific occupation. Certain occupations are currently in demand and attract extra points and priority processing.

Visa Options

Applicants outside Australia

Skilled – Independent Visa

This is a permanent visa for individuals who meet all the relevant requirements and are not sponsored by an Australian relative. The number of points required for this visa is currently 120.

• At time of application, applicant must nominate a skilled occupation and have completed skills assessment.
• Relevant Work experience of 12 months in the past 24 months.
• Be under 45 at time of application.
• have competent English, or if in a trade occupation, have vocational English
• Must meet all health and character requirements
• Points tested (120 points)

Skilled – Sponsored Visa

This is a permanent visa for individuals who are EITHER sponsored by an eligible Australian relative living in a designated area of Australia OR are nominated by a participating state or territory. The number of points required for this visa is currently 100.

• Who are being sponsored for migration either by an Australian relative, or an Australian State/Territory government.
• At time of application, applicant must nominate a skilled occupation and have completed skills assessment.
• Relevant Work experience of 12 months in the past 24 months.
• Be under 45 at time of application.
• Have competent English, or if in a trade occupation, have vocational English
• Must meet all health and character requirements
• Points tested (100 points)

Skilled Independent (Onshore) for overseas students

This is a permanent visa for eligible overseas students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia as a result of at least 2 years study, and for holders of certain temporary visas with skills in demand in Australia. The number of points required for this visa is currently 120.

At time of application, applicant must:
• Nominate a skilled occupation of at least 50 points, and have applied for skills assessment
• Have competent English, or if in a trade occupation, needs vocational English
• Have undergone AFP check and health examination
• Overseas students must have eligible student visa, and Have satisfied the ‘two year study requirement’ within last 6 months.
• the two year study requirement must be closely related to nominated occupation
• Be under 45 at time of application
• Points tested - 120 points.

Skilled Sponsored (Onshore)

This is a permanent visa for eligible overseas students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia as a result of at least 2 years study, and for holders of certain temporary visas with skills in demand in Australia, and who are EITHER sponsored by an eligible Australian relative living in a designated area of Australia OR are nominated by a participating state or territory. The number of points required for this visa is currently 100.

At time of application, applicant must:
• This is an onshore visa available to a range of applicants in Australia who are sponsored for permanent residence by a relative or a State/Territory government
• Nominate a skilled occupation of at least 50 points, and have applied for skills assessment
• Have competent English, or if in a trade occupation, needs vocational English
• Have undergone AFP check and health examination
• Overseas students must have eligible student visa, and Have satisfied the ‘two year study requirement’ within last 6 months.
• the two year study requirement must be closely related to nominated occupation
• Be under 45 at time of application
• Points tested - 100 points.

Skilled Graduate (Temporary)

This is an 18 month temporary visa for overseas students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia as a result of at least 2 years study, and who are unable to pass the points test for a permanent visa. This visa allows you to remain in Australia for u to 18 months to gain the skills and experience required to meet the points test. There is no points test for this visa.

• This is an onshore provisional visa which is designed for overseas students who have completed their studies in Australia but do not as yet meet requirements for the) permanent skilled visas.
• By applying for this visa as an interim measure, it will give the students a chance to gain working experience or attend a professional year in Australia or improve their English language skills before applying for permanent residence.
• Applicants must Have satisfy the ‘two year study requirement’ within last 6 months
• Nominate a skilled occupation of at least 50 points and have applied for skills assessment but no need to have results back at time of application
• Be under 45 at time of application
• give evidence that arrangements have been made to sit English test at time of application, or have competent English, or if in a trade occupation, have vocational English
• Have undergone AFP check and health examination
• There is no points test for the Skilled –Graduate
• Once granted, is valid for a stay of 18 months. It cannot be extended

Other Visa Options

Skilled Regional Sponsored (Temporary) Offshore

This is a 3 year provisional visa for people who are EITHER sponsored by an eligible Australian relative living in a designated area of Australia OR are nominated by a participating state or territory. After living for 2 years and working for at least 1 year in a specified regional area, you may apply for a permanent visa. The number of points required for this visa is currently 100.

Skilled Recognized Graduate (Temporary) Offshore

This is an 18 month temporary for applicants who are under 31, Graduate of recognized overseas university with skills in demand, have completed their studies in a specified discipline at specific educational Institutions in an overseas country within the last 24 months, No skills assessment requirements & No points test, An 18 month temporary visa.

Skilled Regional Sponsored (Temporary) Onshore

This is a 3 year provisional visa for eligible overseas students and holders of certain temporary visas. Applicants must be EITHER sponsored by an eligible Australian relative living in a designated area of Australia OR are nominated by a participating state or territory. After living for 2 years and working for at least 1 year in a specified regional area, you may apply for a permanent visa. The number of points required for this visa is currently 100.

Skilled Regional (Permanent) (Subclass 887) - Onshore

This is a permanent visa for eligible provisional visa holders (Regional Sponsored –Temporary –Onshore, – Regional Sponsored – Temporary-Onshore) who have lived for at least 2 years and worked for at least 1 year in a specified regional area in Australia. There is no points test for this visa, but you must have met all conditions on your provisional visa.