Skilled Migration
Skilled worker visa sub-classes are generally related to providing required skills and talents in Australia through migration.
General Skilled Migration Program
General Skilled Migration is the best option for those people who are willing to work and live in Australia, but have skills and talents in highly desired or required occupations in Australia. These visas usually provide permanent residency independently or pathways to permanent residency without requiring sponsorship from an employer.
Generally, the applicant must be aged over 18 and under 50 years, have good English language ability, and have their skills and qualifications for an occupation listed on the Australian Skilled Occupational List (SOL or CSOL). The applicant must undergo a mandatory skills assessment as part of their application. Applications for these visa sub-classes uses a points test system. The applicant's spouse/partner and other dependant members of the family unit may be included in the application.
The following visas are issued under this program:
-
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
-
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
-
Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)
Employer Nominated Scheme
The Employer Nomination Scheme is an option for people who are nominated by an Australian employer to fill full-time positions in Australia. To be eligible, the applicant must be under 50 years of age and have a good English language ability. The applicant should also have recent and/or on going experience in the nominated position found in the Combined MLTSSL & STSOL.
For the Direct Entry Stream method, a satisfactory skills assessment must be obtained from the relevant assessment authority. The Direct Entry Stream is usually used to fast-track the process to obtain permanent residency under the Employer Nomination Scheme. This scheme includes:
-
Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)
-
Direct Entry Stream
-
The Temporary Residence Transition Stream
-
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass) is a sponsorship option to fulfil the labour shortages by regional employers in their region. This visa is available to skilled workers, who are already living in Australia as Temporary Residents and who are living outside Australia.
For this visa, skilled worker must be nominated by an employer in the regional and must have skilled in an occupation in the Regional Occupation List. Also, the applicant must have relevant skills assessment, be under the age of 45, meet the English language proficiency requirements and have at least 3 years relevant work experience in nominated occupation.
Under this subclass, applicants get 5 years visa in which they can eligible to apply for permanent residency after 3 years.
Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (TSS) (subclass 482) is most widely used by employers to sponsor overseas workers to work in Australia on a temporary basis (up to four years). The sponsored employee must have an employed background relevant to and consistent with the position to be performed, must have acceptable English proficiency, be of good character and maintain good health. The dependent family members of the applicant may be included in the application.
This visa can also be used to obtain permanent residency as part of the self-sponsorship pathway.
Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) is for international students who have graduated recently that allows them to live, work and study. The visa holders brings their family members in this visa and stay with them. For this visa, an applicant must be under 50 years of age and meet the English proficiency requirement. This visa has two options:
-
Graduate Work Stream (Up to 18 Months)
-
Post-study Work Stream (Usually between 2 to 4 years, depends upon qualification)
