Skilled Visas

189 Independent

Skilled Visas

Skilled Visa are accessed though SkillSelect which is a major change to how Australia manages its skilled migration program.SkillSelect helps to ensure the skilled migration program is based on the economic needs of Australia.  It will support the Australian Government in managing who can apply for skilled migration, when they can apply and in what numbers. As a result, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship expects to significantly reduce the time taken to process a visa application.

189 Independent Sponsored

• This points-based visa is for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, a state or territory, or a family member.
• A visa holder can live and work permanently anywhere in Australia.
• Certain family members can be included in the application

• To be able to lodge a valid application for this visa you need to first submit an Expression of Interest throug  Skillselect. You can do this in or outside Australia.

  Basic requirements

  There are basic requirements you must meet to apply for this visa. You must:

• be invited to apply
• be younger than 45 years of age when you are invited to apply
• nominate an occupation that matches your skills and qualifications and is on the relevant skilled occupation list 
• have your skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority as suitable for your nominated occupation
• have at least competent English
• score at least 60 on the points test
• meet the health and character requirements.

Applications are by invitation only. To be invited to apply, a person must:

• submit an Expression of Interest
• have an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list
• have a suitable skills assessment for that occupation
• be less than 45 years of age when the invitation is issued
• meet the English language requirements
• be able to score at least 60 on the points test.