Skilled Visas
Do you have a skill that could make a significant contribution to the Australian economy?
Explore your options now.
Not sure if you are eligible to apply? Is a skilled visa an option for you?
Skilled Visas are for Skilled Migrants
This stream is designed to attract applicants who have the ‘skills’ meaning qualifications and work experiences, that contribute significantly to the Australian economy, and that fill skill shortages in the labour market, including those in regional Australia. This stream also plays a key role in regional development as it encourages investment and stimulates local spending in regional areas.
Enjoy what Australia has to offer
If you are ready to embark on your journey to Australia, we are here to assist you and your family.
Eligibility
Each visa subclass has its eligibility criteria. Depending on your circumstances, we can guide you with what you will need, to put forward the best Application possible.
Points-Tested System
The Points Test pass mark of 65 is required for the Skilled Independent, Nominated or Regional categories.
Points are awarded for Age, English, Qualification, Skilled Employment in Australia and /or from overseas, Australian Studies, Australian studies completed in regional Australia, Professional Year in Australia, Credentialled Community Language, Partner Skills or state nomination or relative sponsorship for certain types of visas.
To immigrate to Australia under Skilled Stream, you must meet the following basic requirements:
- Age
You must be under 45 years of age at the time of the invitation.
- English
You must have an adequate level of English knowledge to work in Australia. This level is known as Competent English.
For certain professions, a higher level of English proficiency may be required, where an English test is part of the skill assessment.
For the Skilled Regional category, the level of English proficiency may be lower, depending on the sponsorship requirements by certain regions.
- Qualification
You must have obtained your qualification after high school, at a tertiary or professional level. Your qualifications and work experience must be evaluated by the appropriate assessing authority as suitable for your chosen occupation. In some cases, substantial work experience may be accepted as a substitute for professional education.
- Work experience/Skilled Employment
There is allocation of points based on the number of years of work experience related to the nominated occupation. The assessing authorities responsible for skill assessment, have their own mandatory requirements for work experience, although the Australian Migration law does not provide any formal prerequisite to include work experience in the nominated occupation.
- Nominated occupation
You must nominate an occupation that matches your qualifications and work experiences. Your occupation must be on the Department’s Skilled Occupations List (STSOL-MLTSSL). If your occupation is not on the list, we will strategize to help you choose the appropriate occupation.
Skilled Visa Options
- Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
- Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
- Skilled Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491)
- Skilled Regional (visa (subclass 191)
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
This stream is designed for skilled migrants who do not rely on sponsorship by an employer or family member or do not require any nomination by a state or territory government.
This is a permanent visa.
You must meet the basic requirements including the points test mark of 65 points and be invited to apply.
Your occupation must be in the Department’s Skilled Occupations List
Eligibility:
- be under 45 years of age at the time on invitation
- score 65 points (points test mark) or more
- at least have Competent English
- must have a relevant occupation on the 189 occupation list
- have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation from the above list
- lodge an EOI and be invited to apply
- meet health and character requirements
This visa enables you to:
- live in Australia permanently
- live in the nominating state or territory for a minimum of 2 years
- work in Australia in a permanent basis
- study at Australian educations institutions
- enrol in Medicare
- sponsor people to come to Australia
- travel in and out of Australia for 5 years
- once eligible, apply to become an Australian citizen
Other criteria apply. To find out if you are eligible to apply and which option is right for you, please contact us.
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
This stream is designed for skilled migrants who are nominated by an Australian state or territory government, to live and work in Australia.
This is a permanent visa.
You must meet the basic requirements including the points test mark of 65 points and be nominated an Australian state or territory government, then invited to apply.
Your occupation must be in the Department’s Skilled Occupations List
Eligibility:
- be under 45 years of age at the time on invitation
- score 65 points (points test mark) or more (a higher score than 65 points may be required by an Australian state or territory government at times, in order to receive an invitation for nomination)
- at least have Competent English
- must have a relevant occupation on the 190 occupation list
- have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation from the above list
- lodge an EOI
- receive a nomination invitation from an Australian state or territory government
- be invited to apply
- meet health and character requirements
This visa enables you to:
- live in Australia permanently
- work in Australia in a permanent basis
- study at Australian educations institutions
- enrol in Medicare
- sponsor people to come to Australia
- travel in and out of Australia for 5 years
- once eligible, apply to become an Australian citizen
Other criteria apply. To find out if you are eligible to apply and which option is right for you, please contact us.
Skilled Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491)
This stream is designed for skilled migrants who are nominated a regional Australian state or territory government, or by family member who reside in regional Australia.
This is a 5-year provisional visa, which can lead to permanent residency through the Skilled Regional (visa (subclass 191) if requirements are met.
You must meet the basic requirements including the points test mark of 65 points and be invited to apply.
Your occupation must be in the Department’s Skilled Occupations List
This visa enables you to:
- stay in Australia for 5 years so you can live, work and study in designated regional Areas
- travel in and out of Australia for 5 years, while the visa is valid
- once eligible, apply for permanent residence through Skilled Regional (visa (subclass 191)
Other criteria apply. To find out if you are eligible to apply and which option is right for you, please contact us.
Skilled Regional (visa (subclass 191)
This stream is designed for skilled migrants, who have lived and worked in designated regional areas, while a holder of a Skilled Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) or other eligible visa for at least 3 years and have complied with the visa conditions.
This is a permanent visa.
Eligibility:
- be a holder of a Skilled Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) or other eligible visa for 3 years prior to application
- must provide Australian Taxation Office (ATO) notices of assessment for 3 income years out of the 5 years of your eligible visa
- compliance with the conditions of the eligible visa of both the primary and secondary applicants (if any)
- no age requirement
- meet health and character requirements
This visa enables you to:
- live in Australia permanently
- work in Australia in a permanent basis
- study at Australian educations institutions
- enrol in Medicare
- sponsor people to come to Australia
- once eligible, apply to become an Australian citizen
Other criteria apply. To find out if you are eligible to apply and which option is right for you, please contact us.
Next Steps
We understand that Australian immigration is complicated, and it is confusing to assert the best visa option that may be available to you and your family. Talk to us to find out the option that best suits your circumstances.
