Skill Visas
If you are an independent skilled worker you may be eligible to apply for this visa. You do not need to have an immediate employment offer in Australia to apply for a skill visa.
General Skilled Migration
This is a Points Tested Skilled Migration. The applicant needs to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect system online; then, they are invited to apply for a skilled migration visa if they meet the eligibility requirement (at least 65 points); nominates an occupation from Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) dependent on visa type; obtained a suitable skills assessment for that occupation; not yet turned 45 years of age and at least reach the “competent English”.
189 – Skilled Independent visa
This is a permanent skilled visa for people who are not sponsored by an employer or family member or nominated by a state or territory government. There are two streams, Points-tested Stream and New Zealand Stream.
- You must have a relevant occupation
- have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
- meet the points test pass mark of 65 points
- be under 45 years of age at time of invitation
- have Competent English and be invited to apply.
This is NOT a points-tested visa therefore you don’t need to meet the points test pass mark of 65 points but:
- you must hold a Special Category (subclass 444) visa
- have been usually resident in Australia continuously for five years; have started residency in Australia on or before 19 February 2016
- have a taxable income at or above an income threshold for each of the four completed income years prior to lodging an application (unless claiming an exemption). To make it short, for claiming the exemption of meeting income threshold for any year include the reasons of receiving compensation from an injury, on an approved period of parental or carer’s leave or because the Family Court of Australia has assigned primary care of a child that prevented the applicant leaving Australia and/or receiving less income in the last four years due to these reasons.
Income threshold for the recent eight years
| Financial year | Income threshold for NZ Stream |
| 2011/12 | AUD$49,330 |
| 2012/13 | AUD$51,400 |
| 2013/14 | AUD$53,900 |
| 2014/15 | AUD$53,900 |
| 2015/16 | AUD$53,900 |
| 2016/17 | AUD$53,900 |
| 2017/18 | AUD$53,900 |
| 2018/19 | AUD$53,900 |
190 – Skilled Nominated visa
This is a permanent skilled visa for people who are nominated by a state or territory government agency.
- nominate a relevant occupation
- have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
- meet the points test pass mark of 65 points
- be nominated by a state or territory government agency
- be under 45 years of age at time of invitation
- have Competent English
- be invited by us to apply.
491 Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa
This visa enables eligible skilled workers and their families to live, work and study in designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years. Visa holders will be eligible to apply for a Permanent Residence visa after three years
- have a relevant occupation on a skilled occupation list
- have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
- satisfy the points test
- be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation
- have Competent English
- submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect
- be nominated by a state or territory government agency or be sponsored by an eligible relative
- be invited by the Department of Home Affairs to apply, and
- meet public interest criteria including health and character requirements.
Holders of this visa are eligible to apply for a subclass 191 – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa if
- they have earned a minimum taxable income($53,900) for each of three years as the holder of a regional provisional visa; and
- they have complied with the conditions of the regional provisional visa; particularly the requirement to live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia.
Dependent children are required to study in a designated regional area in order to meet visa conditions.
The Subclass 191 – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa will commence in November 2022
Visa subclass 485 – Temporary Graduate visa
This visa is for international students who have recently graduated from an Australian educational institution, to live, study and work in Australia temporarily. This visa has two streams
This stream is for someone who graduates with a trade qualification or above CRICOS-registered course in Australia; their skills have been assessed by a relevant assessing authority as suitable for their nominated skilled occupation from the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the course they have attended at least for two academic years. Student must lodge application within six months after the completion of course
If your first student visa to Australia is on or after 5 November 2011 and you graduate with a higher education degree from an Australian education provider, regardless of the field of study. No skill assessment or nomination of skilled occupation is required. Student must lodge application within six months after the completion of course.
A visa in this stream can be granted for up to four years from the date the visa is granted, depending on the visa applicant’s qualification. The basic rule is, Trade Certificate to Diploma: 18 months, Degree to Master: 2 year visa period grant, Master by Research: 3 year visa period grant and Doctorate: 4 year visa period grant, Hong Kong Passport Holder:5 year visa period (from 09/07/2020).
There are other criterions you need to meet for applying for this visa such as age, English ability, Australian study requirement or specific requirements of the stream. Please contact us for the evaluation of your eligibility.
Pathways for obtaining a Skill Visa
There are many steps involved before obtaining the skill visa, such as how to lodge an effective EOI, skill assessment, English tests, eligible work experience, Australia study requirement, State nomination etc. Please contact us for a consultation to discuss what you can do to maximise your chance to obtain a skill visa.