Australian Skilled Visa
In order to apply for permanent residence to Australia under the Skilled Stream, you must satisfy several basic requirements and meet the current points test pass mark of 120.
There are several visa subcategories under the Skilled Stream. The most common are:
• independent – for people who meet the basic requirements and do not have a sponsor, or who choose not to be sponsored or nominated by a State or Territory government;
• skill matching - for people who may be unable to meet the current pass mark and choose to be involved in the skill matching process and who are seeking to be nominated by a State or Territory government or an employer;
• designated area sponsored – for people who have a sponsor and an assurer. The sponsor must live in a designated area, and you must be related to your sponsor;
• Australian sponsored - for people who have a sponsor and an assurer, but the sponsor lives outside a designated area. You must be related to your sponsor.
The basic requirements for all skilled migration applications are:
• Age – you must be over 18 and under 45 at the time of lodging your visa application
• English – you must have at least Vocational English language skills
• Nominated occupation – you must select an occupation on the current Skilled Occupation List which suits your qualifications and work experience
• The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) contains several occupations which are awarded either 40, 50 or 60 points
• You must be able to select an occupation on the SOL or you cannot proceed with skilled migration
• Once you have selected your occupation, you are required to complete a “skills assessment” with the relevant authority for your occupation. This skills assessment will determine whether your qualifications and work experience are equivalent to Australian standards
• Upon successful completion of a skills assessment, you can claim the points awarded for your occupation towards meeting the required points test pass mark for this category
• Meet “recent work experience” requirements
• If your nominated occupation is worth 40 or 50 points, you must have been working in that occupation (or any other occupation on the SOL for at least 2 out of the last 3 years before lodging the visa application)
• If your nominated occupation is worth 60 points, you must have been working in that occupation (or any other occupation on the SOL for at least 12 out of the last 18 months before lodging the visa application)
In addition to satisfying the basic requirements set out above, you will also be required to meet the current pass mark. Points are awarded for skill (ie your nominated occupation), age, English language ability, specific work experience, occupation in demand (and job offer), Australian qualifications, regional Australia , spouse skills and relationship (for Skilled-Australian sponsored only).
The pass mark which are currently in effect are:
Independent 120
Skill matching N/A – not points tested
Designated Area N/A – not points tested
Australian Sponsored 110
You must meet the pass mark at the time of lodging the visa application. If the pass mark increases after you have submitted your application you will not be affected. Please note – this does not include any points awarded for “occupation in demand” as these are assessed at the time of processing your application.
Overseas students note:
If you are currently studying in Australia as an overseas student , there are special provisions that you must meet in order to apply for permanent residence under the Skilled category.
In addition, you are exempt from satisfying the recent work experience requirement set out above provided you lodge your visa application within 6 months of completing your course.
Please contact us to discuss the matter further.
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