Skilled Migration

From 1 July 2012, all intending migrants interested in the points based skilled migration or business investment and innovation visa programs will be required to submit an EOI and receive an invitation in order to lodge a visa application.

SkillSelect is a major change to how Australia manages its skilled migration program.

Skill Select helps to ensure the skilled migration program is based on the economic needs of Australia. It will support the Australian Government in managing who can apply for skilled migration, when they can apply and in what numbers. As a result, the Department of Immigration & Border Patrol (DIBP) expects to significantly reduce the time taken to process a visa application.

Skill Select will also help address regional skill shortages. SkillSelect allows intending migrants to indicate if they are willing to live and work in regional Australia. This will be of particular benefit to employers experiencing regional skill shortages and state and territory governments attempting to settle migrants in regional Australia.

• Skilled Independent subclass 189
• Skilled - Nominated subclass 190
• Skilled - Nominated or Sponsored (Provisional) (subclass 489) visa

Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa

Features

• This points-based visa is for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, a state or territory, or a family member.
• A visa holder can live and work permanently anywhere in Australia.
• Certain family members can be included in the application.

Requirements

Applications are by invitation only. To be invited to apply, a person must:

• submit an Expression of Interest
• have an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list
• have a suitable skills assessment for that occupation
• be less than 50 years of age when the invitation is issued
• meet the English language requirements
• be able to score at least 60 on the points test.

Skilled - Nominated (subclass 190) visa

Features

• This points-based visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by a state or territory.
• A visa holder can live and work permanently anywhere in Australia.
• Certain family members can be included in the application.

Requirements

Applications are by invitation only. To be invited to apply, a person must:

• submit an Expression of Interest and be nominated
• have an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list
• have a suitable skills assessment for that occupation
• be less than 50 years of age when the invitation is issued
• meet the English language requirements
• be able to score at least 60 on the points test.

Skilled - Nominated or Sponsored (Provisional) (subclass 489) visa

Features

· This points-based visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by a state or territory or sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area in Australia.

· The visa is valid for four years, and a visa holder must live and work in a specified regional area.

· Certain family members can be included in the application, including members not included in previous subclass 495, 496, 475 and 487 applications.

· This visa allows holders of provisional visa subclasses 495, 496, 475 and 487 to stay in Australia for up to 48 months from the date their current visa was granted.

Requirements

Applications are by invitation only. To be invited to apply, a person must:

• submit an Expression of Interest and be nominated or sponsored
• have an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list
• have a suitable skills assessment for that occupation
• be less than 50 years of age when the invitation is issued
• meet English language requirements
• be able to score at least 60 on the points test.

Source:Department of Immigration & Border Patrol (DIBP)

Disclaimer: All information outlined under this section titled "VISAS" is simply an overview of the various visas available under the migration act. The outlined information can be used as a reference point but cannot be relied upon by individuals to determine whether or not they qualify.

The Australian Migration regulations, change on a constant basis, and therefore to attain up-to-date legislative requirements you need to contact us to ensure that;

• You qualify under your selected visa subclass; and
• Most importantly that the selected subclass is the most appropriate visa for your specific needs