Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa
The Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa allows skilled workers and their family to live, work and study anywhere in Australia as permanent residents, with a pathway to citizenship. Visa applicants can be outside or inside Australia when applying. There are three streams:
1. Points Tested Stream
Visa applicants must:
- Be under 45 years old when applying for the visa.
- Have an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List for this visa.
- Be able to obtain at least 65 points. Higher points provide a better chance of invitation.
- Have at least three years’ experience in their occupation.
- Have a positive skills assessment to demonstrate your work experience.
- Meet the requirements to demonstrate a Competent level of English.
- Be invited to apply for the visa.
The Points Tested Stream application is a staged process. The first step is to obtain a positive skills assessment. This step alone can be a complex process. After you receive a positive skills assessment, you can submit an Expression of interest (EOI) to SkillSelect and await an invitation to apply for the visa. It is a competitive process and not everyone receives an invitation. It is vital at this stage to ensure that everything you claim in your EOI can be evidenced in your visa application after you are invited to apply. This is especially the case when claiming employment experience and we recommend you seek professional advice if you are unsure because your visa application may be refused if you cannot demonstrate that you have the points you claimed at the EOI stage. Upon receiving an invitation to apply for this visa, you have 60 days to submit a valid visa application.
2. New Zealand Stream
Visa applicants must:
- Hold a New Zealand Special Category (subclass 444) visa.
- Have usually resided in Australia for at least the last 5 years – if you have travelled overseas, please seek professional advice.
- Have started residing in Australia on or before 19 February 2016.
- Have earned $53,900 or more for at least three of the last five financial years, including the most recent financial year. Some exemptions may apply.
3. Hong Kong Stream
Visa applicants must:
- Hold a Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport
- Have been usually resident in Australia for a continuous period of at least 4 years immediately before you apply.
- Have Functional English or pay additional visa application charges.
Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa
The Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa allows skilled workers and their family to live, work and study anywhere in Australia as permanent residents, with a pathway to citizenship. Visa applicants can be outside or inside Australia when applying. This is a Points Tested visa, similar in many ways to the Subclass 189 visa, but with the following significant differences:
- Additional state/territory sponsorship application & approval required before can apply for the visa. Eligibility criteria, including eligible occupations, differ for each state and territory.
- Applicants are obliged to remain in the sponsoring state/territory for at least two years. If you do not honour that commitment ultimately your citizenship can be jeopardised.
- You can receive an additional 5 points towards your points test.
Visa applicants must:
- Be under 45 years old when applying for the visa.
- Have an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List for this visa and on the state/territory skilled occupation list.
- Be able to obtain at least 65 points. Higher points provide a better chance of invitation.
- Have at least three years’ experience in their occupation.
- Have a positive skills assessment to demonstrate your work experience.
- Meet the requirements to demonstrate a Competent level of English.
- Be invited to apply for the visa.
The Skilled Nominated application is a staged process. The first step is to obtain a positive skills assessment. This step alone can be a complex process. After you receive a positive skills assessment, then you submit an Expression of interest (EOI) to SkillSelect. You may also need to apply separately to selected state or territory governments. Processes differ between each state and territory. It is a competitive process and not everyone receives an invitation. It is vital at this stage to ensure that everything you claim in your EOI can be evidenced in your visa application after you are invited to apply. This is especially the case when claiming employment experience and we recommend you seek professional advice if you are unsure because your visa application may be refused if you cannot demonstrate that you have the points you claimed at the EOI stage. Upon receiving an invitation to apply for this visa, you will be given a limited period in which to submit a valid visa application.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 491) visa
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 491) visa is a temporary visa with a pathway to permanent residency and citizenship. If you and all your family members included in the visa live in a designated region of Australia for 5 years you may be eligible to apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191). You can’t apply for other permanent visas until you have held your subclass 491 visa for 3 years.
Visa applicants must:
- Be under 45 years old when applying for the visa.
- Have an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List for this visa and on the state/territory skilled occupation list and potentially also on the skilled occupation list for the nominated region.
- Be able to obtain at least 65 points. Higher points provide a better chance of invitation.
- Have at least three years’ experience in their occupation.
- Have a positive skills assessment to demonstrate your work experience.
- Meet the requirements to demonstrate a Competent level of English.
- Be invited to apply for the visa.
The Skilled Work Regional application is a staged process. The first step is to obtain a positive skills assessment. This step alone can be a complex process. After you receive a positive skills assessment, then you submit an Expression of interest (EOI) to SkillSelect. You may also need to apply separately to selected state or territory governments. Processes differ between each state and territory, and eligibility also varies between different regions within each state and territory. It is a competitive process and not everyone receives an invitation. It is vital at this stage to ensure that everything you claim in your EOI can be evidenced in your visa application after you are invited to apply. This is especially the case when claiming employment experience and we recommend you seek professional advice if you are unsure because your visa application may be refused if you cannot demonstrate that you have the points you claimed at the EOI stage. Upon receiving an invitation to apply for this visa, you will be given a limited period in which to submit a valid visa application.