Leslie Massey
Australia is a popular destination for skilled migrants, who can apply for permanent residency through the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program. The GSM program replaced all other Australian skilled worker visas in 2012-2013. The program offers three visa categories: independent, state/territory sponsored, and family-sponsored permanent visas. The skilled occupation list determines which occupations are eligible to apply for permanent residency. Applicants must meet at least 65 points on the GSM points tables to be considered. The application process involves skills assessments, sponsorship applications, English language tests, visa applications, medical tests, and police clearances. Each step has a separate cost, and the total cost of the PR visa for Indians is $4640 Australian dollars.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa Types | Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) |
| Applicant Type | Skilled individuals or families |
| Purpose | Permanent migration, fill skill shortages |
| Visa Requirements | Minimum 65 points, occupation on Skilled Occupation List, English proficiency |
| Application Process | Expression of Interest, Skills Assessment, Sponsorship, English test, visa application, medical tests, police clearance |
| Application Time | 6.5 to 8 months |
| Application Fee | AUD 4640 for Indians |
| Post-Visa | Apply for Permanent Residency, Australian citizenship after 1 year of residency |
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What You'll Learn
Skilled Visa options
The Australian government provides various pathways for skilled foreign nationals to obtain permanent residency in the country. The General Skilled Migration (GSM) program is one such route, which offers permanent visas that are points-tested and either independent, state/territory sponsored, or family-sponsored. The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) determines which occupations are eligible for permanent residency through the GSM program. The occupations listed are regularly updated to reflect the changes in the Australian labour market.
The SkillSelect program, which replaced all other Australian skilled worker visas in 2012-2013, offers three visa categories for skilled migration. Applicants must meet at least 65 points from the GSM points tables to be considered for a skilled migration visa. The points are awarded based on criteria such as educational qualifications, language proficiency, skilled occupation, and spouse application.
One of the permanent visa options under the GSM program is the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189). This visa is for invited workers and New Zealand citizens with skills needed in Australia, to live and work permanently anywhere in the country. Applicants must obtain a minimum of 65 points on the point assessment to be eligible to apply for this visa. To apply, an applicant must submit an expression of interest (EOI) and be invited by SkillSelect. Upon receiving an invitation, the applicant has 60 days to submit their application.
Another permanent visa option under the GSM program is the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190). This visa is for certain foreign-national skilled workers whose occupations are listed on Australia's Skilled Occupations List. Applicants must complete a skills test and be nominated by a state or territory government. The visa offers all the benefits of Australian permanent residence for the applicant and their family.
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General Skilled Migration (GSM)
The General Skilled Migration (GSM) program is for skilled individuals or families looking to permanently migrate to Australia and fill skill shortages. Visas within the program are points-tested and are either independent, state/territory sponsored, or family-sponsored permanent visas.
The first step to achieving permanent residency through GSM is to correctly identify the occupation you fall under from the skilled occupation list. The ANZSCO code dictates the required skill level for each occupation needed to apply for GSM. The skilled occupation list is regularly updated, so it is important to check for changes.
The second step is to undertake a Skills Assessment to ensure you meet Australian standards for your nominated occupation. This is a mandatory step for most visa types under the GSM program and is an independent evaluation of your qualifications, work experience, and, in some cases, English language proficiency. Skills assessing bodies have stringent criteria, so it is recommended to consult an expert before applying for a Skills Assessment.
The third step is to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. A minimum of 65 points is required to submit an EOI, but achieving a higher score can enhance your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for a visa. The Points Test is a scoring system used by the Australian Department of Home Affairs to assess eligibility for GSM visas. It evaluates factors such as age, English language proficiency, skilled employment experience, and educational qualifications.
The fourth step is to submit your visa application. The Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa is for invited workers and New Zealand citizens with skills needed by Australia, to live and work permanently anywhere in the country. It is a points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an Australian employer, family member, or nominated by a state or territory. The Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory government and meet the migration point test. The Skilled Regional (subclass 887) is a permanent residence visa for skilled provisional visa holders who have lived and worked in Australia for at least two years.
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Skilled Occupation Lists (SOL)
The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) is a list of occupations that are eligible for permanent residency in Australia through the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program. It is a way for qualified and experienced migrants to fill certain skill shortages in the country. The list is updated regularly to reflect the current needs of the Australian labour market, so it is important to check the latest version before applying for a skilled visa.
The SOL covers a wide range of occupations, including those in fields such as healthcare, information technology, engineering, and trades. Some examples of occupations that are typically included on the SOL are nurses, software engineers, civil engineers, and electricians. However, it is important to note that the specific occupations on the list can change over time, so it is always best to refer to the most current list.
To find out if your occupation is on the SOL, you can use the free skilled workers occupation list provided by the Australian government or use online tools such as the points calculator and visa finder offered by Australian Skilled Migration. These tools can help you understand your eligibility for a skilled visa and find the most suitable visa option for your situation.
If your occupation is on the SOL, you may be eligible for a skilled visa, such as the Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189) or the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190). These visas offer a pathway to permanent residency in Australia and allow visa holders to live, work, and study in the country. However, there are other requirements that must be met besides having an occupation on the SOL, such as minimum language proficiency and work experience.
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Application requirements
Australia offers various pathways for foreign nationals to obtain permanent residency through skilled migration. The General Skilled Migration (GSM) program is one such route, which replaced all other Australian skilled worker visas in 2012-2013. The GSM is a points-based system, with visas that are either independent, state/territory-sponsored, or family-sponsored.
To apply for a skilled migration visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- Check that your occupation is on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). This list is regularly updated to reflect the needs of the Australian labour market and includes occupations that are eligible for permanent residency through the GSM program.
- Score a minimum of 65 points on the points assessment. The points are based on criteria such as your educational qualifications, work experience, and language proficiency. A higher score increases your chances of being invited to apply for permanent residency.
- Submit an expression of interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect portal and respond to questions about your skills. SkillSelect is an online platform that matches employers with potential employees.
- If you are invited to apply, you will have 60 days to submit your application. Your application must include supporting documents such as personal, immigration, and work experience documents.
- Depending on your specific circumstances, you may also need to complete additional steps, such as skills assessments, sponsorship applications, medical tests, and police clearance.
- For the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190), you must find an employer and get a nomination before applying for the visa. This visa requires you to complete a skills test and be nominated by a state or territory government.
- If you are applying for state nomination in a particular state, such as South Australia, you should check their specific requirements and nomination streams. State nomination does not guarantee a visa grant, as your application will still be assessed by the Department of Home Affairs against visa-specific requirements.
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Processing times
The processing times for Australian skilled migration visas vary depending on the type of skilled visa you have applied for and other factors. The time it takes to process your visa may also be impacted by varying factors relating to the nomination and assessment process.
The waiting time to receive an invitation to apply (ITA) can vary from a minimum of one month to twelve months. The Australian PR processing time begins once your SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) has been called for an invite by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), and you have paid the required processing fee. For instance, a Software Engineer with an occupation code of 261313 and a total score of 75 points is recommended to wait for more than 8 months to get their permanent resident invite from the Australian Government under Subclass 189 Visa. Once you receive the invitation, you can expect to wait another 8-9 months to get the Permanent Visa grant.
The approximate processing time for a Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) is approximately 6.5 months, after which you will receive a direct visa grant if all your documents are satisfactory and completed. If you are contacted by a Case Officer, your application will be put on hold until you submit the requested documents, after which you can get the visa grant in around 45-60 days. The approximate processing time for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Subclass 491 visa is 12–14 months.
The skilled migration visa process involves an 'expression of interest' (EOI) followed by a visa application. A visa application can only be made if your expression of interest is accepted and you are invited to apply for a visa. Document preparation can take 2 to 6 weeks, and post lodgement processing can take 2 to 4 months. Skills Assessment processing times will vary depending on the Skills Assessing Authority that assesses your nominated occupation.
Visa processing times were significantly delayed due to the impacts of COVID-19 and international border restrictions and closures. As a result of Australia’s border reopening to all fully vaccinated travellers from 21 February 2022, the visa processing times are now slowly reducing as processing has resumed. Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, and actual processing times can vary due to individual circumstances.
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Frequently asked questions
The eligibility criteria for skilled migration to Australia vary depending on the visa subclass being applied for. However, there are some general requirements that must be met, including:
- Scoring a minimum of 65 points on the point assessment.
- Having an occupation that is listed on the Skilled Occupation List.
- Having a competent level of proficiency in the English language.
There are several types of skilled migration visas available, including:
- The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is a points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an Australian employer, family member, or nominated by a state or territory.
- The Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) is for certain foreign-national skilled workers whose occupations are on Australia's Skilled Occupations List and who have been nominated by a state or territory government.
- The General Skilled Migration program offers three visa categories, two of which are permanent visas, and the third is a temporary visa that can later be converted to a PR visa.
The application process for a skilled migration visa typically involves the following steps:
- Checking that your occupation is included on the relevant Skilled Occupation List and that you meet the minimum point score of 65.
- Completing a Skills Assessment and obtaining an acceptable score.
- Applying for state nomination, if applicable.
- Submitting an expression of interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect portal and receiving an invitation to apply.
- Submitting your visa application within 60 days, along with all supporting documents.
