Skilled Subclasses

There are a variety of skilled migration options:

Skilled Independent Subclass 189

Permanent visa option, the skilled independent does not require sponsorship by a relative or state/territory government

Skilled Nominated Subclass 190

A permanent visa requiring nomination by an Australian State or Territory government

Skilled Nominated or Sponsored Provisional Subclass 491

This is a 5-year provisional visa which allows holders to live only in designated regional areas of Australia. You would need to be sponsored by an Australian relative living in a designated area, or by a state or territory government.

Skilled Sponsored Provisional Subclass 494

This is a 5-year provisional visa which allows holders to live only in designated regional areas of Australia. You would need to be sponsored by an Australian Employer based in a designated regional area.

Skilled Graduate 485

The skilled graduate visa is 2-4 years visa depending on the qualifications which can be applied for by international students who have completed 2 years of study in Australia.

Skilled Independent

The Skilled Independent Subclass 189 visa

SkillSelect Only Application

In order to apply for a Skilled Independent Subclass 189 visa, you must first obtain a Skills Assessment, lodge an Expression of Interest through Skill Select and be invited by the Department of Immigration (DIAC) to apply.

Once you are invited to apply for a skilled visa, you must lodge your application within 60 days, otherwise the invitation lapses..

Visa Criteria

In order to qualify for a Subclass 189 visa, you would need to:

• Meet the pass mark (Changing) in the skilled migration points test
• Be aged between 18 and 45 inclusive
• Pass Skills Assessment in an occupation on the relevant Skilled Occupations List
• Have Competent English or higher (6 minimum in IELTS or holder of approved passports)
• Meet health and character requirements
• This option does not require sponsorship by a relative or State/Territory Government.

Including Family Members

You can include the following types of family members in your application:

• Spouses, defacto partners
• Dependent children

Other dependent family members – parents who live with you and are financially dependent. But other dependent family members must be included at lodgement.

Skilled Nominated

The Skilled Nominated Subclass 190 visa is a permanent visa which requires nomination by a State or Territory Government.

SkillSelect Only Application

In order to apply for a Skilled Nominated Subclass 190 visa, you must first lodge an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect and then lodge an application to the State Government.

Once you are invited to apply for a skilled visa, you must lodge your application within 60 days, otherwise the invitation lapses. .

Visa Criteria

In order to qualify for a Subclass 190 visa, you would need to:

• Be nominated by a State or Territory Government
• Meet the pass mark in the skilled migration points test – currently 65.
• Be aged between 18 and 45 inclusive
• Pass Skills Assessment in an occupation on the relevant Skilled Occupations List
• Have Competent English or higher (6 minimum in IELTS or holder of approved passports)
• Meet health and character requirements

Nomination by a State or Territory Government

Each State and Territory Government publishes a list of occupations in short supply in their area including any caveats for each occupation. There may be specific requirements in terms of work experience, English language ability or specialised skills.

Skilled Nominated or Sponsored (Provisional)

SUB-CLASS 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa

• The new Sub-Class 491 visa, Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) will enable eligible skilled workers and their families to live, work and study in designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years.
• Applicant must be nominated to apply by a state or territory government agency, or sponsored by an eligible relative residing in a designated regional area
• Visa holders will be eligible to apply for a Permanent Residence visa (191) after three years.

Criteria:

• be nominated to apply by a state or territory government agency, or an eligible relative must sponsor you
• have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list
• have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
• be invited to apply
• satisfy the points test

Sub-Class 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa for people sponsored by an employer in regional Australia

494 visa requirements (visa applicant):

• Age under 45 at time of application 
• Competent English at time of application
• You must have been employed in the nominated occupation for at least 3 years on a full-time basis and at the skill level required for the nominated occupation.
  Generally, you should have gained your experience within the last 5 years. The period does not need to be continuous. Equivalent part-time work may be considered.
• GTE requirement does not apply
• If in Australia, hold a substantive or Bridging Visa A, B or C
• Successful skills assessment at time of application

494 Employer and job offer requirements:

• Employer must be located in a designated regional Australia, everywhere except Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
• Position be on the list of eligible Regional occupation List
• Position must be full time and likely be available for 5 years
• employer will need approval from the Certifying Body (RCB)
• Employer must pay the Australian Market Salary Rate (AMSR)

Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) – 191

Holders of 491 or 494 Regional visa can apply for a permanent visa

Sponsoring Employees

Temporary Business Sponsorship (482 visas)

482 visas allow businesses based either in Australia or overseas to sponsor workers for a temporary visa from 2 to 4 years.

If a visa applicant has their occupation on a Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), he/she can apply for a short term 2 years visa.

If a visa applicant has their occupation on Medium- and Long-Term Strategic Skill List (MLTSSL), he/she can apply for a short term 4 years visa

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) -186

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) allows employers to “sponsor” employees for permanent residence. Only Australian businesses can access the ENS program, and there is a higher level of skill required by the applicant than for the 482 visa.

Applicant can transit from 482 to 186 after 3 years working with the same Employer

Global Talent Visa

The Global Talent Employer Sponsored program allows employers to sponsor overseas workers for highly-skilled niche positions that cannot be filled by Australian workers or through other standard visa programs.

Global Talent – Independent program offers a streamlined, priority visa pathway for highly skilled and talented individuals to work and live permanently in Australia; no Employer sponsorship is required.

Business Visa

188A

The 188A visa is available to applicants who are nominated by an Australian State or Territory government and meet the points test for this visa.

To be nominated, the applicant must lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect system.

Requirements:

• Ownership of a business with turnover of at least AUD 500,000 for at least 2 of the last 4 fiscal years; and
• Net personal and business assets of at least AUD 800,000; and
• Under 55 years of age, unless the nominating state or territory certifies that the applicant will make an exceptional economic benefit; and
• Meet the pass mark in the Business innovation and investment Points test (currently 65 points)
• Have an overall successful career in business

This is a 4-year temporary visa, for people who want to own and manage a new or existing business in Australia. Once established an ownership interest in an Australian business, the applicant can apply for permanent residence through the Business Innovation & Investment (Residence) Subclass 888 visa.

It is subject to a Business visa points tests.

188B

188B visa is available to an applicant who is nominated by an Australian State or Territory government.

This is a 4-year temporary visa, for an applicant who wants to make a designated investment in an Australian state or territory.

After maintaining an investment in Australia for 4 years, the applicant can apply for permanent residence through the Business Innovation & Investment (Residence) Subclass 888 visa.The applicants can either be in Australia or overseas to lodge this visa.

The applicant has had business and personal net assets of at least AUD 2.25 million for the last 2 fiscal years

• Under 55 years of age, unless the nominating state or territory certifies that the applicant will make an exceptional economic benefit; and
• The applicant must make an investment of AUD 1.5 million in Australian State or Territory bonds prior to grant of the visa
• Have 3 years of experience either managing a qualifying business or “eligible investments”, and have showed a high level of management skill

For at least 1 of the 5 fiscal years, you have either:

• Managed a business in which you hold a 10% shareholding; or
• Manage “eligible investments” of at least AUD 1.5 million

Eligible investments include:

• Ownership interests in a business
• Cash on deposit
• Stocks or bonds
• Real estate
• Gold or bullion
• Loan to a business