If you possess the skills Australia needs, skilled migration visas are for you. These visas are points tested and you can apply them if you receive an invitation to apply from Australian immigration department. Your skills must be listed in the applicable skilled occupation lists.
You do not need an employer to sponsor you for below visas. There are various skilled visa options available:
Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189)
This is a permanent visa allowing visa holders to reside and work anywhere in Australia as well as to:
– study in Australia
– enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public health care scheme
– sponsor family members for permanent residence
– apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible (usually after residing 4 years in Australia)
To apply for a Skilled Independent Visa to Australia, an applicant must satisfy the following minimum requirements:
– nominate an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list
– have a suitable skills assessment for the nominated occupation
– must be under 45 years of age
– be invited to apply
– must be able to score at least 65 points, however higher points score may be required as invitations are issued based on ranking
– meet the English language requirements
Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190)
This visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency.
This is also a permanent visa and allows visa holders to:
– live and work in Australia indefinitely
– study in Australia
– enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public health care scheme
– sponsor family members for permanent residence
– apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible (usually after residing 4 years in Australia)
– and require visa holder to live in the nominating state or territory for a specified period
To apply for a Skilled Nominated Visa to Australia, an applicant must satisfy the following minimum requirements:
– nominate an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list
– have a suitable skills assessment for the nominated occupation
– must be under 45 years of age
– be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency
– be invited to apply
– must be able to score at least 65 points test (or more points, if required by nominating Australian state or territory government agency)
– meet the English language requirements
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491)
This is a temporary visa, for skilled workers who wish to live and work in regional Australia.
The visa holders can:
– live, work, and study in designated regional Australia for 5 years
– usually after first 3 years, apply for permanent residency, if eligible
– and require visa holder to live in the nominating state or territory for a specified period
To apply for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa to Australia, an applicant must satisfy the following minimum requirements:
– nominate an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list
– have a suitable skills assessment for the nominated occupation
– must be under 45 years of age
– be invited to apply
– be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency or be sponsored (for certain skilled occupations) by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area of Australia
– must be able to score at least 65 points (or more points, if required by nominating Australian state or territory government agency)
– for applicants, sponsored by an eligible relative, more points may be required as invitations are issued based on ranking
– meet the English language requirements