The General Skilled Migration (GSM) program is one of the most popular pathways for individuals to migrate to Australia as skilled workers. It is designed to attract skilled professionals who can contribute to the Australian economy and address labor shortages in various industries.
Permanent Residency
Subclasses 189, 190, and 191 allow successful applicants and their families to obtain permanent residency in Australia, offering the ability to live, work, and study in the country indefinitely.
Work Opportunities
After holding permanent residency for a few years (typically 4 years), individuals can apply for Australian citizenship, which provides the right to vote and other benefits.
High Standard of Living
Australia offers a high standard of living, with access to quality healthcare, education, and public services, making it a desirable destination for families and professionals alike.
General Skilled migration is a pathway for qualified individuals to live and work in Australia, focusing on occupations in demand. The process involves:
Eligibility:
Meet age (under 45), occupation (on the Skilled Occupation List), skills assessment, English proficiency, health, and character requirements.
Points-Based System: Points are awarded for factors like age, skills, work experience, and qualifications.
Visa Options:
Subclass 189: Independent Skilled Visa (no sponsorship needed).
Subclass 190: State-Nominated Skilled Visa.
Subclass 491: Regional Skilled Visa (provisional, leading to PR).
Skilled Migration Visa Options
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 190)
Skilled Nominated visa is a permanent visa that enables skilled workers to live and work in Australia as a permanent resident. The visa is based on points-test system and the applicant must be nominated by state or territory government in Australia. The Skilled Migrant program is conducted via SkillSelect, a database for migrants, employers and nominating state or territory governments. The 190 visa is a permanent visa that enables points-tested skilled workers…
Benefits for you and your family including:
- Live and work in Australia indefinitely with no restrictions
- Different states and territories may have different requirements, you can work in the occupation and also study in Australia
- Enrol in Medicare – Australia’s health care program
- Opportunity to apply for Australian citizenship when you become eligible
- You can also sponsor eligible relatives for PR
- You can travel in and out of Australia for 5 years unrestricted as this visa is granted for five years every time like the other permanent visas until you become a citizen of Australia.
How to successfully apply for this visa?
In order to successfully apply for this visa, you will need to complete the following steps:
Nominate an occupation for yourself based on your qualifications and skills and that occupation must be on the Short Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) or the Medium to Long-term Strategic Skills List. You must also ensure that the occupation you have chosen is also on the list of the state/s or territory you wish to be nominated by.
Check that you meet the eligibility criteria:
- Under the age of 45
- Have a positive skills assessment
- Meet the minimum points test mark of 65 points or more
- Meet competent English Requirement (i.e. IELTS score of 6 (all bands) or PTE score of 50 in each of the four components of the test OR an equivalent score in any other official English tests such as Cambridge Advanced English, Occupational English Test and TOEFL)
- Meet health and character requirements
- Not have had a visa cancelled or refused since your last substantive visa you held if you are in Australia Check your score with Point Test Calculator
Complete a Skills Assessment
- Purpose: Verify your qualifications and work experience align with Australian standards.
- Authority: Obtain assessment from an approved assessing body for your occupation.
- Documents: Include qualifications, employment references, and relevant certifications.
Submit an expression of interest (EOI) in SkillSelect in order to be invited to apply for the visa. After receiving an invitation to apply, you can apply for the visa.
Apply to the relevant State or Territory department and once successful, be selected through SkillSelect and get an invitation to apply for the visa depending on your ranking and overall score in the round of invitation.
Gather your documents and apply for the visa.
It is important to know that you must file your visa application within 60 days from the day you are invited to apply, otherwise the invitation lapses. Thus, you must prepare your supporting documents for filing the visa at the earliest. If you have family members you can include your partner or your children.
There are some other requirements from different states
Advantages of Subclass 190 visa
- Benefits of Australian permanent residence for you and your family
- Work and live in Australia indefinitely with no restrictions except that you live and work in the nominated state or territory for initial 2 years
- Enrol in Medicare
- Apply for Australian citizenship when you become eligible
- Sponsor relatives for permanent residence or travel
- Travel in and out of Australia for 5 years until you become an Australian citizen
Processing times
- 75% of applications is 17 months, with
- 90% of applications processed within 18 months.
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189) is a permanent visa that allows workers with skills to live and work permanently in Australia. It is a points-based system and does not require nomination by Australian state/territory governments or relatives in Australia.
In brief, key requirements are:
- Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) and be invited to apply
- Your occupation must be on a Medium to Long Term Skills List (MLTSSL)
- Have positive skills assessment in your nominated occupation
- Meet the points test pass mark of 65 points or more
- Have competent English (i.e. IELTS score of 6 or PTE score of 50 in each of the four components of the test
– Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening OR an equivalent score in any other official English tests such
as Cambridge Advanced English, Occupational English Test and TOEFL) - Meet health and character requirements
- Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous visa application refused since your last substantive visa you
held, if you are in Australia
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)
(Subclass 491)
This is a provisional visa. It’s for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia.
With the 491 visa, you can:
- stay in Australia for 5 years
- live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia in line with your visa conditions. A simplified definition of regional Australia for skilled migration purposes includes all areas of Australia except the metropolitan areas of; Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
- The visa has got multiple travel rights
- apply for permanent residence, if eligible through the permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191)
- work in any occupation and for any employer in line with the work and residence conditions attached to your visa.
What are the eligibility criteria for the Skilled Work Regional 491 visa?
- be invited to apply, nominated by a state or territory government agency or sponsored by an eligible relative
- have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list
- have a successful skills assessment for the occupation
- score 65 points or more
- be aged under 45 years before you’re invited to apply
- have a competent level of English
- satisfy the health and character requirements
- don’t owe the Australian government any money
- no history of visa cancellation or a previous application refused
What is the application process?
1. Determine Eligibility
Before applying, ensure you meet the requirements:
- Age: Be under 45 years at the time of invitation.
- Occupation: Your occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list.
- Skills Assessment: Obtain a positive skills assessment from the appropriate authority for your occupation.
- Points Test: Achieve at least 65 points under the points test.
- English Language: Have competent English or higher.
- Health and Character: Meet health and character requirements.
2. Check Regional Eligibility
- The visa is for living and working in designated regional areas, which include most of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
- This visa requires either nomination by a state/territory government or sponsorship by an eligible family member living in a designated regional area.
- Obtain a positive skills assessment for your occupation and complete an English Language test (e.g IELTS, PTE etc)
3. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Create and lodge an EOI through the Department of Home Affairs’ SkillSelect system.
- Indicate your interest in being nominated for Subclass 491 and specify your preferred states or territories.
- Your EOI is ranked against other applicants based on your points score.
4. Obtain State/Territory Nomination or Family Sponsorship
- If seeking state or territory nomination:
- Check the specific requirements of the state or territory.
- Apply for nomination through their respective websites.
- If seeking family sponsorship:
- Your sponsor must be:
- An Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Living in a designated regional area.
- Your eligible relative.
- Your sponsor must be:
5. Receive an Invitation to Apply
- If your EOI is successful, you’ll receive an invitation to apply for the visa.
- Invitations depend on the number of places available and the ranking of EOIs.
6. Apply for the Visa
- Lodge your visa application online via ImmiAccount within 60 days of receiving the invitation.
- Attach supporting documents, including:
- Proof of identity (passport, birth certificate).
- Skills assessment report.
- English test results.
- Nomination or sponsorship evidence.
- Employment history and educational qualifications.
- Health and character certificates.
7. Await a Decision
- The processing time for Subclass 491 visas varies based on the completeness of your application and other factors.
- You may need to provide additional information or attend a visa interview.
8. Comply with Visa Conditions
If granted:
- You must live, work, and study only in designated regional areas.
- Inform the Department of Home Affairs of any changes to your circumstances.
9. Pathway to Permanent Residency
After holding the Subclass 491 visa for at least 3 years and meeting income requirements, you can apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.
Let me know if you’d like assistance with any specific step, including state nomination criteria or documentation requirements!
Book a free Migration consultation
We give you a free consult, no strings attached. During consult, we will identify your visa options by discussing your situation in depth with you. After consult, you will receive an initial MAP (Migration Action Plan), this way, you get the best advice tailored to you.
Contacts
Head Office
Level 1, Kay House, 35-39 Scarborough St Southport QLD 4215
Phone
Who we help
- Tourists
- Students
- Skilled workers
- Families
- Company Sponsors
- Partners
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Contact us
- 0457 504 922
- info@palmermigration.com
- palmermigrationservices.com.au
- Level 1, Kay House, 35-39 Scarborough St Southport QLD 4215