GATEWAY GLOBAL CONSULTANTS Immigration Lawyers

The Skilled Migration Program is an initiative to help to overcome skill shortages within the Australian workforce and to identify individuals who can bring valuable economic benefits to the Australian economy.

If you are a skilled professional, trades person or student graduating from an Australian university, you may qualify for a skilled visa.

Skilled Independent (Subclass 136) Visa - is for people who do not have a sponsor, or who choose not to be sponsored. They wish to rely on their own skill, education and employability to satisfy the visa criteria.

Skilled Australian Sponsored (Subclass 138) Visa – is for people who have a parent, non-dependent child, brother, sister, aunt or uncle who is willing to sponsor you. The sponsor can be living anywhere in Australia.

Skilled Designed Area Sponsored (Subclass 496) Visa - is for people who have a parent, non-dependent child, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, first cousin or grandparent who is willing to sponsor you. The sponsor must be living in a regional, rural or low population growth area of Australia.

Skilled Independent Regional (Subclasses 495) Visa – is for people who want to live in a regional area of Australia and do not score enough points to qualify for a Permanent Skilled Visa.

Skilled Overseas Student (Subclasses 880, 881 and 882) Visa – is for overseas students currently studying (or just completed studying) in Australia that want to remain in Australia.

Important note for Graduate Students - If you have recently completed a course of study in Australia and are seeking Australian Permanent Residency, you must apply for a visa within six months of the completion of your course to qualify for bonus points.

Visa Processing Times

Processing times will vary from country to country and according to your personal circumstances. The processing time is generally 6 to 12 months for Skilled Visas - all processing is done in Australia.

Visa Requirements

Your skill must be on the Skilled Occupations List (SOL).

The SOL is prepared by the Australian Government to identify specific skill shortages in Australia. You must be able to demonstrate your work experience and/or qualifications matches an occupation that is on the SOL. The current Skilled Occupations List (SOL) can be accessed by clicking here.

Some occupations on the SOL are also identified as being in very high demand due to extreme skill shortages in Australia. These occupations are commonly known as bonus point occupations and are listed on the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL).

All applicants for skilled visas must be able to demonstrate the following basic requirements:

Age - Applicants must be at least 18 years old and younger than 45 at the time of application.

English language - In most cases, applicants must have "vocational" English. This means that they must speak English well enough to communicate in a work environment in Australia. There are some exceptions, such as the Skilled–Designated Area and the Skill Matching visa, which allow slightly lower levels of English.

Nominated occupation -In order to apply for a skilled visa, applicants must nominate an occupation that appears on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). Those with professions that are not on the list are not eligible to apply. Once applicants nominate an occupation, they must have their skills assessed by a government appointed Australian Assessing Authority in order to determine if their skills are appropriate for this visa type.

Qualifications -In order to qualify for most kinds of skilled visas, applicants must have either university or trade qualifications. There are some exceptions in a small number of occupations, where substantial work experience might suffice. The relevant Skills Assessment Authority will assess all certificates and work experience skills.

Recent work experience - Applicants are required to have recent work experience in their nominated occupation at the time of lodgement. However, this requirement is waived for students with Australian qualifications (generally onshore applicants). Also, applicants for the Skill Matching or Skilled-Designated Area Sponsored categories may be eligible with less work experience.

Recent work experience exemption - Applicants who have studied for at least two years in Australia may have the work experience requirement waived if they lodge their skilled visa application within six months of completing their studies.

Pass Points Test - The applicant must also score a sufficient number of points (with some execptions) that equal the 'pass score' gazetted by the Australian Government from time to time.

Code Of Conduct | Terms And Conditions | Privacy Policy
Gateway Global Consultants utilises the services of professional Migration Agents who are registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA); Registration Number 9474820