Australia Skilled Migrant Category
Owing to its liberal immigration policies and immense growth opportunities, Australia has particularly become one of the most popular destinations for skilled migrants who wish to live and work overseas.
The country has commanded attention in skilled immigration trends for a long time and emerged as one of the most sought after destinations all thanks to its low rate of unemployment, low inflation levels and a multicultural & harmonious society.
Every year hundreds of thousands of skilled professionals from around the world choose to migrate to Australia all thanks to the excellent lifestyle and vast employment opportunities this magnificent country offers.
Skilled professionals who wish to immigrate to Australia can apply through General Skilled Migration Program (GSM). The program is designed to target skilled workers in particular occupations, who are willing to settle in Australia and contribute to its vibrant economy.
General Skilled Migration Program
GSM (General Skilled Migration) program is a point based system, which offers foreign skilled workers/professionals a pathway to obtain Australian permanent residency.
The eligibility of applicants is subject to test score obtained in the Skill Select program, where points are awarded after considering their:
- Age;
- Work experience;
- Qualifications;
- Language proficiency; and
- Points of state or relative sponsorship, if applicable.
Applicants need to score at least 65 points from the General Skilled Migration (Skill Select) point's tables to be eligible to apply. The program has 3 major visa subclasses:
- Skilled Independent visa - subclass 189;
- Skilled Nominated visa - subclass 190; and
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa - Subclass 491
Australian Skilled Independent Subclass 189 visa is a points-tested permanent visa for foreign skilled workers who are not sponsored by an Australian employer, family member or nominated by a state or territory.
With this Skilled Independent Visa, you can:
- Stay in Australia permanently
- Travel to and from Australia for 5 years
- Work and study in Australia
- Enrol in Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare.
- Sponsor your relatives to come to Australia.
- Apply for Australian Citizenship (If eligible).
Eligibility Criteria
In order to qualify for a Subclass 189 Visa, the applicant must:- Be under 45 years of age at time of invitation
- Have at least competent English - equivalent to English Language threshold of minimum 6 bands of IELTS in all the components
- Have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation
- Complete a successful skill assessment for the relevant occupation
- Be invited to apply
To apply for Subclass 189 visa, applicants must submit an expression of interest (EOI) and be invited by SkillSelect.
Upon receiving an invitation to apply for this visa, applicants have 60 days to submit their complete application to immigration authorities.
The Skilled Nominated 190 Visa is a points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian State or Territory government.
With this Skilled Nominated Visa, you can:
- Stay in Australia permanently
- Travel to and from Australia for 5 years.
- Work and study in Australia
- Enrol in Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare
- Sponsor your relatives to come to Australia.
- Apply for Australian Citizenship (If eligible).
Eligibility Criteria
The applicants have to satisfy the basic requirements to migrate under the skilled sponsored visa. Applicant must:- Must be nominated by an Australian state or Territory Government Agency.
- Have an occupation on the relevant occupation list
- A successful skill assessment for the relevant occupation
- At least competent English - equivalent to English Language threshold of minimum 6 bands of IELTS in all the components or as per the state requirements.
- Meet health and character requirements.
The subclass 190 is a viable option to apply for Australian permanent residency for the individuals who cannot meet the Skilled Independent criteria.
Applicants can also include the below family members to their application:
- Partner
- Dependent child
- Partner's dependent child
The New Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (SWR) 491 visa was launched on November 16, 2019 by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) Australia.
With this Skilled Work Regional Visa, you can:
- Stay in Australia for 5 years
- live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia
- Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want, while the visa is valid
- Apply for permanent residence, if eligible, through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) - which commences on 16 November 2022.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to apply, applicant must:- Nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency
- Sponsored by an eligible family member and sponsor must be:
- Be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation.
- Have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list.
- Have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation.
- Be invited to apply.
New Point System from 16-November -2019:-
There is a revised points system for all three visa sub classes, so applicants have new ways to earn points towards their score.Applicants can get:-
- 10 points for a skilled spouse or de facto partner (Skills assessment and Competent English) or if applicant is single (without a spouse or de facto partner)
- 5 points for a partner who can demonstrate Competent English but is not eligible for a positive skill assessment.
- 10 points for certain Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) qualifications.
- 15 points if nominated by a State or Territory government agency or sponsored by a family member residing in regional Australia under Visa subclass 491.
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