Summary of general skilled migration information

Australian Immigration - the Australian migration program offers places for skilled migrants intending to apply for an Australian Skilled Visa. Age, Qualifications, experience and other factors are considered.

The skill stream of Australia's migration program is intended for people who are highly skilled, are under 45 and who will quickly make a contribution to the Australian economy.

• To make a valid application, applicants or their spouses must be able to satisfy these basic requirements.
• If you are not able to satisfy these basic requirements, you should not continue with a skilled migration application.

To apply for migration, you need to select an appropriate visa. These are organised into three categories:

1. general skilled - for overseas applicants not currently in Australia;
2. ove studenrseast - for overseas students currently studying in Australia;

Within these three categories, there are the following types of visas:

Skilled - Independent (175) Applicants for the 175 Skilled -Independent Visa must meet the following basic requirements:- must have an occupation or skill on the list of approved occupations for skilled migration, must be under 45 years old at the time of their application, must have an English language threshold, must pass a points test. Think you meet the criteria ? Register now and find out !

Skilled - State/Territory Nominated Independent (176) If 120 points cannot be met, but 90 points is possible, and an applicant's occupation is on the priority skills list of a state, then this gives full PR also 10 points is given for state-sponsorship, meaning the total of at least 100 can be met for this visa

Skilled - Skilled Regional Sponsored (Provisional) (475) Similar to above 176 visa, however this gives provisional PR The applicant will have the opportunity to apply for permanent residency after you have live in a regional area for at least 2 years, and work in such an area for at least 12 months

Australian Sponsored (176) If you have an eligible sponsor relative in Australia, and you meet the basic criteria for skills visas (including points test requirements)- you can apply for this visa. The pass mark is 100 points Your relatives can live in any city, state or territory. Relatives eligible to sponsor this category of visa must be a parent, a non-dependent child, or a brother or sister or uncle or aunt.

Skilled Overseas Student Visas (885, 886, and 487)

• International students that successfully complete tertiary qualifications in Australia can apply to remain in Australia permanently under these visa sub classes (subject to meeting the criteria).
• Requirements:-
  • Applications must be made while the former student is still in Australia,and
  • In the last 6 months has completed an eligible qualification(s) by an Australian educational institution as a result of at least two (2) years full time study in the English language medium at that institution in Australia, and
  • the qualification should lead to a positive assessment of the applicants skills by the relevant Australian authority, and
  • the occupation must be on the SOL.
  • The applicant must be under 45 and must meet the basic requirements for skilled migration.

Graduate - Skilled visa (subclass 485)

• This visa allows overseas students who do not meet the criteria for a permanent General Skilled Migration visa to remain in Australia for 18 months to gain skilled work experience or improve their English language skills.
• As a holder of this visa, you may apply for permanent residence at any time if you are able to meet the passmark on the General Skilled Migration points test.

885 Independent Overseas Student visa

• This visa allows overseas students who have completed their course studies in Australia and holders of certain temporary visas to apply for permanent residency.
• This visa uses a point test to select visa applicants with characteristics needed in the Australian labour market.
• You do not require sponsorship to apply for this visa.

886 Australian-sponsored (Residence) Overseas Student visa

• This visa allows overseas students who have completed their course studies in Australia and holders of certain temporary visas to apply for permanent residency.
• This visa uses a point test to select visa applicants with characteristics needed in the Australian labour market.
• You must be sponsored by an eligible relative living in Australia or obtain nomination from a participating State or Territory government agency.

487 Regional Area-sponsored (Regional) Overseas Student visa

• This visa is a three (3) year provisional visa for overseas students and certain visa holders who are unable to meet the criteria for a permanent skilled visa. You will have the opportunity to apply for permanent residency after you have lived for two (2) years, and work at least 12 months, in a Specified Regional Area of Australia.
• This visa requires you to be either:
  • Nominated by a participating State or Territory government agency, or
  • sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia.
• This visa uses a point test to select visa applicants with characteristics needed in the Australian labour market.