General Skilled Migration

Skilled migration visas provide a great opportunity for skilled workers to live and work in Australia. If you have skills sought after in Australia, and you do not have an employer to sponsor you, a skilled migration visa will be more appropriate.

Applicants must have skills and qualifications for an occupation listed on Australia's Skilled Occupation List (SOL).

Recent changes to the Australian General Skilled Migration program allow more points for exceptional English skills. The visa structure has 9 subclasses.

Under the General Skilled Migration Program the subclass visa options are divided into onshore and offshore categories, and within these groups, they are further divided into sponsored and independent categories.

Onshore visas are for individuals who are already in Australia and hold an eligible visa which allows them to apply under the General Skilled Migration Program. Applicants can apply while they are in Australia. 

Offshore visas are for individuals who will be granted a permanent immigration visa from abroad. Individuals can apply for these visa subclasses from either outside or within Australia. However, it is necessary that the applicant is outside of Australia when the decision is made unless they are a New Zealand citizen.

Sponsored visas are for individuals who have been sponsored by an Australian relative or Australian state/territory government. There are more requirements in the case of a sponsored visa and in some circumstances, a bond must be paid.

Independent visa categories do not have as many requirements and are ideal for individuals who have the relevant qualifications and do not have an employer to sponsor them.

Some visa subclasses are decided using a points based system. If you are assessed under the points based system and you do not have enough points to meet the requirements, you can be placed in a reserve pool which will be considered if the points system is reassessed in the future.

Basic Requirements

There are some basic requirements that apply to all General Skilled Migration visa applications.

• Applicants must be between 18 and 45 years of age when applying.
• Applicants need to show English language competence. A vocational level of English is sufficient for trade qualifications. A competent level is required for managerial/administrative employment.
• Applicants must be assessed by the appropriate assessing authority as suitable for your chosen occupation.
• The applicant's nominated occupation must be listed on the Skilled Occupation List.
• Applicants must have completed 12 months work experience out of the last 24 months in their nominated occupation. If applicants have completed an Australian qualification less than six months before the visa application, it will not be necessary to satisfy the work experience requirement.
• Applicants must have their skills assessed by the Australian assessing authority which has been assigned to assess the chosen occupation.