General Skilled Visas

Overview

The Australian visa program for skilled migrants is known as the General Skilled Migration program. To work and live in Australia, you must apply for any of the skilled visas offered under this program. The program comprises a range of skilled visas, such as the skilled independent visa and skilled regional nominated visas, including state and family sponsored visas. Both permanent and temporary residency visas are available under this program.

SC 189

This is a Skilled Independent Visa, a points-based permanent visa that offers indefinite stay anywhere in Australia. It is intended to attract skilled workers required by the broader Australian community. To apply for this visa, you need an invitation from the Australian government. The processing time for 75% of applications is around 68 days. You can apply for this visa whether you are onshore or offshore, and the visa application fee is AUD 4,240.

Please see the below process:

What you need to have

Your occupation must be listed on the skilled occupation list.
You must have received a positive skills assessment from a relevant skill assessing authority.
You must score a minimum of 65 points on the points test.
You must be under 45 years of age.
You must have a competent level of English.
You must meet the health and character requirements.
You must have submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect and received an invitation to apply.

After the nomination

After the grant

If eligible, you may apply for citizenship
You are allowed to enroll in a public healthcare scheme, such as Medicare
You are allowed to sponsor your relatives to move to Australia
If you are single, you may be subject to condition 8515, under which you must not marry or enter into any de facto relationship before entering Australia

SC 190

To stay indefinitely anywhere in Australia, you may apply for this permanent visa that aims to attract skilled workers needed by state governments. You must have an invitation from a state or territory to apply for this visa, and 75% of applications are processed in 7 months. You can apply for this visa either onshore or offshore, and the visa application fee is AUD 4,240.

Please see the below process:

What you need to have

Being listed on the skilled occupation list for your occupation
Receiving a positive skills assessment from a relevant skill assessing authority
Meeting the minimum 65 points test
Being under 45 years of age
Having a competent level of English proficiency
Meeting health and character requirements
Submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect and receiving an invitation from a state or territory to apply for the visa.

After the grant

Becoming an Australian citizen is an option after the grant.
You can enroll in public health care schemes such as Medicare.
Sponsoring relatives to come to Australia is allowed.
If single, a condition 8515 may be imposed, prohibiting marriage or entering into any de facto relationship before entering Australia.
A condition 8504 with an initial entry date may be imposed if the application is made from outside Australia.
Staying in the same state for two years from the grant date is mandatory. You need to inform the state if you wish to move permanently to any other states in Australia.

After the nomination

SC 491

The purpose of this visa is to enable skilled workers to reside and work in regional Australia. The visa allows for a 5-year stay in designated regional areas, and after three years from the time of visa grant, you may qualify to apply for permanent residency. To apply for this visa, you must have an invitation from a state or territory. Approximately 75% of visa applications are processed within 9 months, and a fee of AUD 4115 is required to submit an application. It is possible to apply for this visa while inside or outside of Australia.

What you need to have

Your occupation should be listed on the skilled occupation list.
You must have received a positive skills assessment from a relevant assessing authority.
You need to score a minimum of 65 points on the points test.
You should be under 45 years old.
You must have a competent level of English proficiency.
You must meet the health and character criteria.
You need to have submitted an EOI through SkilSelect and received an invitation from the state or territory to apply for the visa.

After the grant

You have the freedom to enter and leave Australia as many times as you wish, within the validity period of the visa.
You are permitted to enroll in public health care schemes, such as Medicare.
You can live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia, as per the conditions of your visa.
If you are eligible, you can apply for permanent residency through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191).
You are allowed to work in any occupation and for any employer, subject to the work and residence conditions of your visa.
If you intend to move permanently to another state in Australia, you must notify the state government.
To comply with the visa conditions, you must adhere to the regulations outlined in conditions 8515, 85781, 85791, 8580, and 8581.