Skilled visas

Skilled visas program is for people with special skills and occupations which are required in Australia. There are a number of visas available in this program and most of them require you to pass the points test, which is calculated on your age, English language, qualifications, nominated occupation and recent work experience.

For Skilled visas you will need to satisfy the following basic requirements:

1. Age - You must be under 45 years of age at the time of application


2. English language - You will need to demonstrate at least competent English (IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, test score of 6.0 for each of the four test components). For some provisional visas (temporary) the concessional competent English (IELTS test average band score of at least 6.0 for the four test components) may be sufficient.


3. Qualifications - You must have post secondary qualifications equivalent to Australian Bachelor Degree or higher; diploma or trade qualifications. Your skills must be assessed by the relevant assessing body.


4. Nominated occupation - You must have an occupation that is listed on the Skilled Occupations List


5. Recent work experience - You must prove that you have been employed in a SOL occupation for at least 1 year out of the last 2 years immediately before applying. If you have been studying in Australia for 2 years you can be exempt from this requirement if you apply within 6 months from the date of completion of your course.

Skilled visa subclasses:

Skilled - Independent (subclass 175) and Skilled - Sponsored (subclass 176)
These are permanent visas for people applying from outside Australia. The subclass 176 is for people who are being sponsored by a relative or an Australian State/Territory government.

Skilled - Regional Sponsored (subclass 475)
This provisional visa is for people applying from outside who are being sponsored by a relative in Australia or an Australian State/Territory government.

Skilled - Regional Sponsored (subclass 487)
This provisional visa is for people applying within Australia who are being sponsored by a relative in Australia or an Australian State/Territory government.

Skilled - Independent (subclass 885) and Skilled - Sponsored (subclass 886)
These are permanent visas for overseas students who have completed their studies in Australia within the last 6 months and are in Australia. The subclass 886 is primarily for overseas students who have an Australian relative-sponsor.

Skilled - Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476)
This visa permits overseas graduates to come temporary to Australia if their skill is assessed as a skill of high demand in Australia. The person must be under 30 years old and have completed their studies within the last 24 months.

Skilled - Graduate visa (subclass 485)
This visa is not points tested. It is a temporary visa designed for overseas students who have completed studies in Australia, but still do not meet the requirements for the permanent visas. This visa provides students with an opportunity to gain working experience or attend a professional year in Australia.

Skilled - Regional visa (subclass 887)
This visa is for individuals who had been granted Skilled - Regional Sponsored (subclass 475) or Skilled - Regional Sponsored (subclass 487) and have fulfilled their obligation and wish to proceed to permanent residency.

Application Costs and Processing times

Application fee to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) for the subclass 175, 176, 475, 487, 885 and 886 visas includes family members and is currently: AUD $2,525 currency converter

Application fee for subclass 476, 485, 887and 487 visas includes family members and is currently: AUD $230 currency converter

The second payment applicable for all visas except subclass 476 and 485 visas to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship of AUD$3,510 currency converter is payable for any dependents that are 18 years or over and are assessed as having less then functional English.

Other costs that are associated with skilled visas are English language assessment, medical and character checks, skills assessments, and translation of the documents if required.

Cost of the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test is approximately AUD $150-$ 400 currency converter and will vary from country to country. The cost of medical examinations is paid to the doctors and clinics undertaking the examination and may vary again from country to country. If examinations are undertaken in Australia the cost is approximately AUD$390 currency converter.

Processing times vary depending on personal circumstances and type of skilled visa. It takes approximately 12 months for Skilled visas, if nominated occupation is on the CSL to be processed.

Do I meet the criteria?

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