VISAS
Skilled Visas
Skilled Migration to Australia
Australia is one of the few countries with an open migration policy, actively attracting qualified personnel from around the world in accordance with the current needs of the country. Of course, the intake of temporary and permanent migrants is much needed to develop the Australian economy, through the establishment of new industries and businesses, to improve citizens’ quality of life.
Skilled visas allow qualified workers with occupations in demand to come to Australia for permanent or temporary residence. The main applicant has the opportunity to include eligible family members (partners, spouses, children) in the application.
!!!All skilled temporary skilled visas may lead holders to Australian citizenship.
Table of Contents
Point Test
An applicant’s eligibility for a skilled visa is determined by the total points score (via Point test) when each of the following subjects could be evaluated:
- age,
- English level,
- level of education,
- work experience,
- education and work experience in Australia,
- marriage status and spouse/partner skills/language,
- nomination for state sponsorship
- and some other additional factors, which we will discuss further.
You can easily calculate your points on the official website.
Requirements for obtaining a skilled visa to Australia:
- The applicant’s occupation must be on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)
- The qualifications of the main applicant must be assessed positively through a special procedure in one of the Australian skills assessment bodies. At the same time, for each type of occupation there is separate skills assessment body.
- The age of the main applicant must be less than 45 years.
- Applicant should satisfy health and character requirements.
- Evidence of financial support for the applicant is required (for state sponsorship).
- You must submit an application, to express interest (EOI) in the Skill Select system and receive an invitation from the Department/state or territory.
- Within 60 days, the applicant must provide all supporting documents, submit visa application and pay government fees for all family members included in the application.
- An approved visa has the conditions for entry and residence in Australia for all applicants included in the application.
- Skilled visas do not require employer sponsorship. After a visa grant, the skilled migrants will independently look for a job. But in some cases, the applicant may be required to have a job offer. It may be one of the states’ criteria for candidate selection.
Australian states and territories may set higher requirements for candidates than declared on the Department's official website, for example, a higher English proficiency, a higher score in the Point test, more years of work experience in a nominated occupation, and even a relevant job offer or contract for work.
Lists of occupations in demand:
There are several occupation lists that are updated once or twice a year in accordance with the skills shortage in Australia.
- Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
- Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
- Regional Occupation List (ROL)
Please bear in mind that each state / territory may have its own occupation list for onshore and offshore applicants. The lists may also be different for each visa subclass, as well as the different stream conditions within each subclass.
Visa application stages for a skilled visa
1
The first stage. I always recommend preparing for the international English language exam (IELTS or its equivalents, which the Department accepts). This is a very important stage, as it can add up to 20 points to the total point test (depending on the score), and passing an exam by a partner will also add another 5 points.
2
The second stage is the development of an individual migration strategy, where, depending on your occupation, qualifications, and education, I will prepare an individual detailed plan of action and recommendations for each next step of your migration pathway.
3
The third and very creative stage will be the choice of an occupation considering Point test results, SOL and ANZSCO (the standard for each of the existing occupations in Australia and New Zealand). This is followed by skills assesment.
I highly recommend you start with the skills assessment only after passing the English exam, as the exam sometimes takes longer to prepare and achieve the desired band.
4
The fourth step is Expression of Interest (EOI) / Registration of Interest (ROI) and, if you are applying for a regional visa. This step includes a state / territory sponsorship application. You have to check carefully state / territory visa options, as well as your career future in that location.
5
The final step in submitting documents is to lodge all required information for a visa application linked to your expression of interest within 60 days. Please be careful! Providing false or incomplete information about you and other members of your application may lead to a ban on obtaining any Australian visa from 3 to 10 years.
Types of Skilled Visas to Australia
This is a permanent visa, which immediately provides a permanent residence (PR). The holder of this visa has the opportunity to live in any state / territory and city of Australia, work and study, have free schools and cheaper child care, English courses for adults (for partners if it is necessary) and as well as have Medicare card.
This is also a permanent resident visa, however, the candidate is sponsored by the state / tererritory and must be resident of that state / territory for at least 2 years from arrival in Australia. The state / territory nomination will get to candidate an additional 5 points in Point test.
This is a provisional visa that is issued for 5 years. The conditions of the visa require the applicant to stay in the sponsored regional state / territory for 3 years or more from the moment of arrival in Australia. After 3 years, the visa holder and family members, followed to certain visa criteria, can apply for a permanent residence visa SC191.
This visa is also interesting because the applicant can get it not only through the sponsorship of the state / territory, but through the sponsorship of a family member living in regional Australia. If the applicant chooses 491 visas, he receives an additional 15 points to point test.
!!! There is a simple and affordable option to set up your own business in Australia with state/territory nomination with Regional Provisional skilled visa SC 491 under Small Business Owner Program, which offers Business visa potential applicants an alternative pathway.
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Consideration time for Skilled Visa Australia
After receiving an invitation from the Department of Home Affairs, you must send all documents and an application for a visa within 60 days. According to official statistics, applications are considered from 5 to 14 months.
Consideration of the expression of interest (EOI) for inviting an applicant is less predictable and can take from 1 month to 2 years, depending on your case (points, occupation, chosen region).
As a registered migration agent with 10 years of experience, I offer you comprehensive support in obtaining nominations and skilled visas, including:
- strategic planning,
- choice of occupation,
- preparation of documents for skills assessment,
- preparation of documents for Expression of Interest in the Skill Select system,
- comprehensive preparation and submission of an application for state / territory nomination,
- preparation and submission of visa application, including all family members,
- correspondence with the competent authorities during the consideration of your documents at each stage,
- managing your temporary interim visas during the process.
I may call the skilled stream visa the most complex one because the applicant has to consider the following factors when planning migration to Australia: location, occupation, and career prospects in that location.
Professional migration service of YULIA MOISEEVA & ASSOCIATES
We offer you comprehensive support in obtaining nominations and skilled visas, including:
- strategic planning, choice of occupation,
- preparation of documents for skills assessment,
- preparation of documents for Expression of Interest in the Skill Select system (unlimited EOI),
- comprehensive preparation and submission of an application for state / territory nomination,
- preparation and submission of visa application, including all family members,
- correspondence with the competent authorities during the consideration of your documents at each stage,
- managing your temporary interim visas during the process.
Let me represent you about improved conditions of our special offer!
Post-paid migration agent services are now available for applicants for any skilled visas 189/190/491.
You can ask me questions at any time.
Just email me at office@yuliamoiseeva.com.au and describe your migration issues!
