If you are granted a permanent skilled visa you will be able to
- live and work in Australia on a permanent basis
- sponsor your family members to live in Australia
- have access to Medicare
- access social security payments
- study in Australia
- be eligible for Australian citizenship
Skilled visas are granted to persons in occupations who have the education, skills and employment attributes to contribute to the Australian economy and society. These can be applied for onshore in Australia or overseas.
The general criteria for a skilled visa require the applicant to show that:
- they have obtained a skilled assessment from a relevant assessing body;
- demonstrated relevant work experience, if applicable;
- completed a diploma or degree at an Australian tertiary institution (2 year course), if applicable;
- meet the English requirement;
- meet the points test
They must also:
- pay the applicable visa application charge, and
- meet character and health criteria
Points Test
For certain visas you may receive points for the following categories :
- age,
- English language ability,
- length of time employed in your nominated occupation in Australia,
- length of time employed in your nominated occupation overseas,
- educational qualifications obtained in Australia
- educational qualifications obtained in Australia in a regional area,
- educational qualifications obtained overseas,
- completion of a professional year,
- for having a partner,
- nominated by a State or Territory government agency,
- nomination by a State or Territory government under a State Migration Plan or sponsorship by a relative to a designated area (for subclasses 487 and 475 Skilled – Regional Sponsored application),
- and ability to speak a community language, and
- nominate an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) below.
The points test applies to the following skilled visas:
- Subclass 475 Skilled – Regional Sponsored
- Subclass 175 Skilled Independent
- Subclass 176 Skilled Sponsored
- Subclass 487 Skilled Regional Sponsored
- Subclass 885 Skilled Independent
- Subclass 886 Skilled Sponsored
The points test does not apply to the Subclass 485 Skilled- Graduate (Temporary) Visa or the Subclass 887 Skilled – Regional (Residence) visa.
If you are the holder of either a Subclass 475 Skilled – Regional Sponsored visa or a Subclass 487 Skilled Regional Sponsored visa you may be eligible to apply for a Subclass 887 Skilled – Regional (Residence) visa.
These visas are explained in more detail below.
You can apply for a skilled visa from inside Australia or outside Australia.
If you are in Australia:
Skilled – Independent (Residence) Visa (Subclass 885)
- The Skilled Independent (Residence) Visa (Subclass 885) is a permanent visa.
- This visa is for students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia.
- They must have studied for at least 2 years.
- You must pass a points test.
Skilled – Sponsored (Residence) Visa (Subclass 886)
The Skilled Sponsored (Residence) Visa (Subclass 886) is a permanent visa.
If you are unable to satisfy the requirements for a Skilled Independent (Residence) Visa (Subclass 885) you may apply for the Skilled Sponsored (Residence) Visa (Subclass 886) provided you are also sponsored by a relative living in Australia or are nominated by a State or Territory government.
This visa is for students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia.
They must have studied in Australia for at least 2 years.
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 487)
- The Skilled Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 487) is a temporary visa.
- This visa is granted for 3 years.
- You must be sponsored by either a relative living in a designated area of Australia or nominated by a State or Territory government.
- After living in a Specified Regional Area for 2 years and working in that area for at least 1 year you may be eligible to apply for a permanent visa.
Skilled – Graduate (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 485)
- The Skilled Graduate (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 485) is a temporary visa.
- This visa is granted for18 months.
- This visa is for overseas students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia and studied in Australia for 2 years. If you do not satisfy the points test for a permanent visa, this visa allows you to remain in Australia for 18 months to gain the experience and skills needed to apply for a permanent visa or a General Skilled Migration visa.
- A points test does not apply.
If you are outside Australia:
Skilled – Independent (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 175)
- The Skilled Independent (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 175) is a permanent visa.
- This visa is for people with skills in demand in the Australian labour market.
- It is not a requirement for the visa to be sponsored.
- You must pass the points test.
Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 176)
- The Skilled Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 176) is a permanent visa.
- This visa is for people who do not satisfy requirements for a Skilled Independent (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 175).
- You must be either sponsored by a relative living in Australia or nominated by a State or Territory government.
- You must pass a points test.
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 475)
- This visa is a temporary visa.
- You must be sponsored by either a relative living in a designated area of Australia or nominated by a State or Territory government.
If you are nominated by a state or territory government, you need to agree to:
- remain in the State/Territory for at least 2 years, and
- keep the State /Territory government informed of any changes to your address before and after arrival in Australia
- After living in a Specified Regional Area for 2 years and working in that area for at least 1 year you may be eligible to apply for a permanent visa.
- You are able to remain in Australia for 3 years from the date of first entry, and must live and work in regional Australia.
- You must pass the points test.
Skilled – Recognised Graduate (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 476)
- The Skilled Recognised Graduate (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 476) is a temporary visa.
- This visa is granted for 18 months to engineering graduates who obtained there qualification from a recognized overseas educational institution and who have skills in demand in Australia.
- A points test does not apply.
For information on applicable health and police checks, IELTS testing, and Assurance of Support (AOS) please click here.
For information on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) please click here.
For information on a applicable job descriptions (short summary and licensing requirements) please click here.
For information on applicable job descriptions (detailed descriptions) please click here.
For more information on Medicare, please click here.
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