Australia’s Skilled Migration program is designed to attract highly skilled workers from around the world to fill skill shortages in the Australian workforce. This program provides a pathway for talented individuals to live and work in Australia permanently or temporarily, depending on the visa subclass. It is ideal for professionals, tradespeople, and graduates who have skills that are in high demand in Australia.
Key Benefits of Skilled Migration
- Permanent Residency: Many skilled migration visas offer a pathway to permanent residency, allowing you to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely.
- Work Rights: Skilled migrants can work full-time in Australia, contributing to the economy and benefiting from the country’s employment opportunities.
- Access to Healthcare and Education: Permanent residents have access to Australia’s public healthcare system (Medicare) and can enroll their children in Australian schools.
- Pathway to Citizenship: After meeting residency and other requirements, skilled migrants can apply for Australian citizenship.
- Bring Your Family: Many skilled visas allow you to include family members in your application, so they can live and work in Australia with you.
Popular Skilled Migration Visas
There are several visa options available under Australia’s skilled migration program. The most common visa categories include:
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Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
This visa is for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, state, or territory. It allows you to live and work anywhere in Australia as a permanent resident.
- Permanent Residency: Provides permanent residency upon visa grant.
- No Sponsorship Required: You don’t need a sponsor to apply for this visa.
- Points-Tested: This visa is points-tested, meaning your eligibility is based on factors such as age, education, work experience, English proficiency, and more.
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Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
This visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory. It offers permanent residency and requires you to live and work in the nominating state for a specified period.
- State or Territory Nomination: Requires nomination from a state or territory government.
- Permanent Residency: Offers permanent residency upon visa grant.
- Points-Tested: Like the Subclass 189 visa, this visa is also points-tested.
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Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)
This visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by a regional Australian state or territory or sponsored by an eligible family member living in regional Australia. It is a provisional visa that leads to permanent residency.
- Provisional Visa: This visa allows you to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency: After meeting specific residency and work requirements, you can apply for permanent residency through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191).
- Points-Tested: This visa is also points-tested and requires state/territory nomination or family sponsorship.
Points-Tested Migration
Australia’s skilled migration program is largely based on a points system, which assesses applicants based on various factors such as:
- Age: Maximum points are awarded to applicants aged between 25 and 32. Maximum age to apply under Skilled Migration is 44 years.
- English Proficiency: High scores in English language tests (IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE) earn more points. Minimum score required is 6 each in IELTS or equivalent
- Work Experience: Both overseas and Australian work experience in your nominated occupation can earn points.
- Educational Qualifications: Higher qualifications, such as a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, attract more points.
- State or Territory Nomination: If you are nominated by a state or territory, additional points are awarded.
- Partner Skills: If your partner has suitable skills, qualifications, and English proficiency, you can earn additional points.
A minimum of 65 points is required to be eligible for most skilled visas, though a higher score increases your chances of being invited to apply for a visa.
Skill Assessment
For most skilled migration visas, a skills assessment is required to demonstrate that your qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards for your nominated occupation. Each occupation has a designated assessing authority responsible for evaluating your skills, such as VETASSESS, Australian Computer Society (ACS), Engineers Australia, or Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). You must receive a positive skills assessment before you can apply for a visa.
Visa Application Process
The application process for skilled migration visas generally follows these steps:
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Check Your Occupation
Ensure that your occupation is listed on one of the Australian government’s Skilled Occupation Lists: the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).
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Skill Assessment
Get your skills, both academics and experience assessment from relevant Skill Assessment Authority. Major skill Assessing authorities are VETASSESS, Australian Computer Society (ACS), Engineers Australia, or Trades Recognition Australia (TRA).
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Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Create an EOI through SkillSelect, the Australian Government’s online system. This allows you to indicate your interest in applying for a skilled visa. EOIs are ranked based on the points system, and the highest-ranking applicants may be invited to apply for a visa.
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Receive Pre Invite from State Government
For Subclass 190 and 491, State government send out the pre invite to apply in their respective state for nomination. Apply for assessment of your application with state government. Each state government has different selection criteria depending upon occupation, years of experience, partner skills, Employment status in Australia.
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Receive an Invitation
If your EOI meets the criteria and you rank high enough, you will receive an invitation to apply for a skilled visa.
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Lodge Your Visa Application
After receiving an invitation, you can submit your visa application along with your supporting documents, including proof of your qualifications, work experience, English proficiency, and skills assessment.
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Await Decision
The Department of Home Affairs will process your application and make a decision. If granted, you will receive either permanent residency or provisional residency (depending on the visa type).
Documentation Requirements
Applying for skilled migration requires gathering several essential documents. Depending on your visa subclass, you will need to provide a variety of documents to support your application. Here are the most common documents required for skilled migration visas:
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Proof of Identity:
- Passport (certified copies of the bio-data pages)
- National ID card (if applicable)
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Skills Assessment:
- A positive skills assessment report from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation.
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English Language Proficiency:
- Test results from a recognized English test such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE. You must meet the required score as per the visa requirements.
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Educational Qualifications:
- Certified copies of your degree(s), diploma(s), and academic transcripts.
- Recognition of Prior Learning (if applicable).
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Employment Documents:
- Employment contracts and reference letters from previous employers.
- Pay slips or tax documents to verify work experience.
- Detailed job descriptions that outline your duties, skills, and responsibilities.
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Expression of Interest (EOI):
- A copy of your SkillSelect Expression of Interest submission, which outlines your nominated occupation and points claim.
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Health and Character Documents:
- Medical examination results (completed by an approved physician).
- Police clearance certificates from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more over the past 10 years.
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Proof of State or Territory Nomination (if applicable):
- Confirmation of your nomination by an Australian state or territory (Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 visas).
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Partner and Dependent Documents (if applicable):
- Certified copies of your partner’s qualifications, skills assessment, and English test results (if claiming partner points).
- Birth certificates, marriage certificates, or other documents for family members included in the application.
How We Can Help
At A Square Migration Services, we understand the complexity of Australia’s skilled migration system. Our team of experienced migration experts can assist you through every step of the process, from choosing the right visa to lodging a successful application. Our services include:
- Points Test Assessment: We assess your eligibility for skilled migration by calculating your points and advising on how to improve your score.
- Skill Assessment Guidance: We help you through the skills assessment process, ensuring that your qualifications and work experience are properly evaluated.
- Expression of Interest (EOI) Preparation: We assist with creating and submitting your EOI on SkillSelect.
- Visa Application Lodgment: We handle the submission of your visa application, ensuring that all documents are accurate and complete.
Start Your Skilled Migration Journey
Australia’s skilled migration program offers an excellent opportunity for qualified professionals and tradespeople to build a new life in Australia. At A Square Migration Services, we are here to help you navigate the visa application process and turn your migration dreams into reality.
Contact us today to discuss your eligibility and start your skilled migration journey.