1. You must be under 45 years old when you apply;
2. You must possess a high level of English competency;
3. You must have nominated an occupation on the relevant list of skilled occupations;
4. Your skills and qualifications must have been assessed by the relevant Australian skills assessing authority as being suitable for your nominated occupation; and
5. You must have recent skilled work experience in an occupation on the relevant list of skilled occupations. The amount of work experience that you must have depends on the occupation that you nominate; OR
6. You must have recently completed an Australian qualification after having studied for at least two years full-time in an approved course; and
7. you must meet all health and character requirements.

All applications in this category are assessed against a ‘points test’. Different visas require a different number of points to be met by applicants. Applicants are allocated points for a range of criteria, including your age, skills, English ability, and whether you are sponsored by an Australian relative. These visas are listed below:

a. Skilled – Independent Visa (Subclass 175)

This is a permanent visa for individuals who meet all the relevant requirements and are not sponsored by an Australian relative. The number of points required for this visa is currently 120.

b. Skilled – Sponsored Visa (Subclass 176)

This is a permanent visa for individuals who are EITHER sponsored by an eligible Australian relative living in a designated area of Australia OR are nominated by a participating state or territory.  The number of points required for this visa is currently 100.

c. Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 475)

This is a 3 year provisional visa for people who are EITHER sponsored by an eligible Australian relative living in a designated area of Australia OR are nominated by a participating state or territory.  After living for 2 years and working for at least 1 year in a specified regional area, you may apply for a permanent visa.  The number of points required for this visa is currently 100.

d. Skilled - Recognised Graduate (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 476)

This is an 18 month temporary visa for graduates of recognised overseas universities who have skills in demand in Australia.  There is no points test for this visa, and as the holder of this visa, you may apply for any permanent visa that you are eligible for.  Note that this visa is currently only available to Engineering graduates.

e. Skilled - Independent Visa (Subclass 885)

This is a permanent visa for eligible overseas students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia as a result of at least 2 years study, and for holders of certain temporary visas with skills in demand in Australia.  The number of points required for this visa is currently 120.

f. Skilled - Sponsored Visa (Subclass 886)

This is a permanent visa for eligible overseas students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia as a result of at least 2 years study, and for holders of certain temporary visas with skills in demand in Australia, and who are EITHER sponsored by an eligible Australian relative living in a designated area of Australia OR are nominated by a participating state or territory.  The number of points required for this visa is currently 100.

g. Skilled - Regional Visa (Subclass 887)

This is a permanent visa for eligible provisional visa holders who have lived for at least 2 years and worked for at least 1 year in a specified regional area in Australia.  There is no points test for this visa, but you must have met all conditions on your provisional visa.

h. Skilled - Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 487)

This is a 3 year provisional visa for eligible overseas students and holders of certain temporary visas.  Applicants must be EITHER sponsored by an eligible Australian relative living in a designated area of Australia OR are nominated by a participating state or territory.  After living for 2 years and working for at least 1 year in a specified regional area, you may apply for a permanent visa.  The number of points required for this visa is currently 100.

i. Skilled - Graduate (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 485)

This is an 18 month temporary visa for overseas students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia as a result of at least 2 years study, and who are unable to pass the points test for a permanent visa.  This visa allows you to remain in Australia for u to 18 months to gain the skills and experience required to meet the points test.  There is no points test for this visa.

For more information on your eligibility for any of the above visas, please contact our offices.