Skilled Visas

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Skilled Visas

This stream of migration to Australia is designed for applicants under the age of 50 years who can meet the points test. Points are awarded based on an applicant’s personal attributes such as age, english language ability, skills, work experience, education, study in Australia or overseas etc.

You can also obtain points if you are including a skilled partner or if you are sponsored by an Australian State or Territory. You can apply directly for a permanent residency visa if you believe you qualify.

Alternatively, you may apply for a provisional skilled visa that will lead to a permanent residency visa.

The visa information provided below should only be used as a guide. If a particular visa is appropriate for your circumstances, then we would encourage you to contact us for a complete and thorough assessment of your situation and visa eligibility.

  • Temporary Skill Shortage

    This visa, referred to as the TSS subclass 482 visa, enables employers to address labour shortages by bringing in genuinely skilled workers where they cannot source an appropriately skilled Australian. It facilitates targeted use of overseas workers to address temporary skill shortages, while ensuring that Australian workers get priority.

    TSS visa holders can work in Australia in their nominated occupation for their approved sponsor under one of three streams:

    • Short-Term stream: This stream is available if your employer wishes to sponsor you (as an overseas skilled worker) on a temporary basis only in occupations listed on the Short-term Skilled Occupation list (STSOL) for a TSS visa. It can be used to fill positions for a maximum of two years or four years if an International Trade Obligation (ITO) applies.
    • Medium-Term stream: This stream is available if your employer wishes to sponsor you (as an overseas skilled worker) for periods of up to four years in occupations listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Regional Occupation List (ROL) for a TSS visa.
    • Labour Agreement stream: This stream is available if your employer wishes to sponsor you (as an overseas worker) and has entered into a labour agreement with the Department.
    • What You Can Do

      This visa allows you to travel to and from Australia for the duration of your visa and:

      • if you are the primary visa holder, to work in Australia in your nominated occupation for an approved sponsor (or an associated entity of a sponsoring Australian employer).
      • if you are a family member, to work and study in Australia.
    • Applicant Requirements

      You might be able to get this visa, as an overseas worker, if you:

      • have been nominated for a position by an approved sponsor and that nomination has been approved
      • meet any required skills and qualifications requirements including completing any skills assessments required
      • meet English language requirements
      • if in Australia, hold a substantive visa, a subclass 010 (Bridging A) visa, a subclass 020 (Bridging B) visa or a Subclass 030 (Bridging C) visa
      • have substantially complied with any conditions that apply or applied to your last visa
      • meet health and character requirements
      • meet the requirements of the stream in which you apply
    • Employer Requirements

      This information is for employers who want to sponsor a skilled worker from outside (or inside) Australia for a TSS visa.

      Unless you are already an approved standard business sponsor or have executed a labour agreement with the Department, the first step to sponsoring an overseas worker for a TSS visa will be to apply to become a standard business sponsor.

      A labour agreement is a formal arrangement negotiated between an Australian employer and the Australian Government. It may be used when the standard TSS program is not available.

      Streamlined arrangements are also in place for existing standard business sponsors to renew their sponsorship prior to expiry.

      It is strongly recommended that you apply for accredited status as this has significant benefits for Australian employers.

  • Employer Nomination Scheme

    The subclass 186 visa is for skilled workers who want to work in Australia. This visa involves a two-step process, firstly, nomination by an approved Australian employer and then an application under the nominated stream. It is part of the Permanent Employer Sponsored Visa program.

    This visa is a permanent residence visa. You can be in or outside Australia when you apply. If you are in Australia, you must hold a substantive visa or a bridging visa A, B or C.

    The visa has three streams:

    • Temporary Residence Transition stream: is for subclass 457 or subclass 482 visa holders who have worked for two years, while holding a subclass 457 visa, in the same occupation with their nominating employer (who has lodged a valid nomination under the Temporary Residence Transition stream), who would like to offer them a permanent position in that occupation.
    • Direct Entry stream: is for people who have been nominated by their employer under the Direct Entry stream people who have never, or only briefly, worked in Australia, or temporary residents who do not qualify for the Temporary Residence Transition stream.
    • Agreement stream: is for people sponsored by an employer through a labour agreement.

    Important: From 1 July 2022, more subclass 457 (Temporary Work (Skilled)) visa holders will be eligible for permanent residence in Australia.

    The Minister of Immigration announced recently that changes would occur to benefit temporary skilled workers looking for a pathway to permanent residency. These changes came into effect on the 1st July 2022 and will benefit skilled workers who remained here during the pandemic and encourage them to stay in Australia permanently.

    The changes will allow legacy subclass 457 visa holders to apply for permanent residency via the subclass186 (Temporary Residency Transition stream) visa up until 1st July 2024.

    A 457 legacy worker who is applying for a Subclass 186 visa is defined as a person who:

    • held a Subclass 457 visa on or after 18 April 2017; and
    • was in Australia for at least 12 months between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021.

    Importantly, no age limit has been specified in the instrument, providing a prolonged pathway to permanent residence for employees in this cohort regardless of their age.

    If you believe you fall into this cohort or simply require further information then please contact us. This pathway to PR will expire on the 1st July 2024.

    • What You Can Do

      This is a permanent residence visa. It lets you and any family members who have also been granted this visa to:

      • stay in Australia indefinitely
      • work and study in Australia
      • enrol in Medicare, Australia's scheme for health-related care and expenses
      • apply for Australian citizenship (if you are eligible)
      • sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
      • travel to and from Australia for five years from the date the visa is granted (after that time, you will need a resident return visa or another visa to return to Australia)
    • Applicant Requirements

      An applicant for this visa must:

      • have been nominated by an approved Australian employer within the six months before you apply
      • *are under the age of 50 at the time of application, unless you are exempt (see below)
      • have the required skills and qualifications for the position (at time of application lodgement you must have the required skills and qualifications for the position you have been nominated for – you must hold any mandatory registration, license or professional membership, or you must already be fully assessed as suitable by the relevant body)
      • have appropriate English language skills (at the time of application lodgement), unless you are exempt
      • meet health and character requirements
      • meet the requirements of the stream in which you apply

      * Unless you are a 'Legacy 457 Worker' in which case no age limit applies (i.e. you may apply for the 186 visa at any age below or above 50 years up until the 1st July 2024. Please contact us for clarification.

    • Employer Requirements

      You can nominate a skilled worker for this visa if:

      • you actively and lawfully operate a business in Australia
      • you have a genuine need for a paid employee to fill a skilled position
      • you offer a skilled position in the applicant's field that is full time and ongoing for at least two years
      • you pay a market salary rate
      • you comply with Australian immigration and workplace relations laws
      • there is no adverse information known about your business or any person associated with your business

      You must nominate the applicant in one of the three streams and meet the requirements of that stream.

  • Regional Sponsored Migration

    The subclass 187 visa is for skilled workers who want to work in regional Australia. This visa involves a two-step process, firstly, nomination by an approved Australian employer an​​​d then an application under the nominated stream. It is part of the Permanent Employer Sponsored Visa program.

    The visa is a permanent resident visa. You can be in or outside Australia when you apply. If you are in Australia, you must hold a substantive visa or a bridging visa A, B or C.

    The visa has three streams:

    • Temporary Residence Transition stream is for subclass 457 visa holders who have worked for two years, while holding a subclass 457 visa, in the same occupation with their nominating employer (who has lodged a valid nomination with us under the Temporary Residence Transition stream), who wants to offer them a permanent position in that occupation.
    • Direct Entry stream is for:
      • people who have been nominated by their employer under the Direct Entry stream
      • people who have never, or only briefly, worked in Australia
      • temporary residents who do not qualify for the Temporary Residence Transition stream; or
    • Agreement stream is for people nominated by an employer through a labour agreement.
    • What You Can Do

      This visa allows you and your family to live in Australia and work permanently in a regional area. A regional area is anywhere other than the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong and Melbourne.

      This is a permanent residence visa. It allows you and any family members who have also been granted this visa to:

      • stay in Australia indefinitely
      • work and study in Australia
      • enrol in Medicare, Australia's scheme for health-related care and expenses
      • apply for Australian citizenship (if you are eligible)
      • sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
      • travel to and from Australia for five years from the date the visa is granted (after that time, you will need a resident return visa or another visa to return to Australia)
    • Applicant Requirements

      You may be eligible for this visa if you:

      • have been nominated by an approved Australian employer in regional Australia (outside of the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong and Melbourne) within six months before you apply
      • are under the age of 50 at time of application lodgement, unless you are exempt
      • at time of application lodgement, have the required skills and qualifications for the position you have been nominated for – you must hold any mandatory registration, license or professional membership, or you must already be fully assessed as suitable by the relevant body
      • at time of application lodgement, have appropriate English language skills for Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream and Direct Entry (DE) stream unless you are exempt
      • meet health and character requirements
      • meet the requirements of the stream in which you apply
    • Employer Requirements

      You can nominate a skilled worker for this visa if:

      • you actively and lawfully operate a business in regional Australia (regional Australia does not include the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong or Melbourne)
      • you have a genuine need for a paid employee to fill a skilled position
      • you offer a skilled position in the applicant's field that is full time and ongoing for at least two years
      • you pay a market salary rate
      • you comply with Australian immigration and workplace relations laws
      • there is no adverse information known about your business or any person associated with your business

      You must nominate the applicant in one of the three streams and meet the requirements of that stream.

  • Skilled Independent

    The subclass 189 visa is a permanent residence visa for points-tested skilled workers who want to work and live in Australia. This visa is intended for indviduals who are not sponsored by an employer or family member or nominated by a state or territory government

    To be able to apply for this visa you need to submit an expression of interest and then be invited through SkillSelect to apply.

    You can be in or outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted.

    • What You Can Do

      This is a permanent residence visa. It lets you and any family members who have also been granted this visa:

      • stay in Australia indefinitely
      • work and study in Australia
      • enrol in Medicare, Australia's scheme for health-related care and expenses
      • apply for Australian citizenship (if you are eligible)
      • sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
      • travel to and from Australia for five years from the date the visa is granted (after that time, you will need a resident return visa or another visa to return to Australia)
    • Applicant Requirements

      You are eligible to apply for this visa if you have been invited. At the time we invite you to apply for this visa, you must have:

      • nominated an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list
      • obtained a suitable skills assessment for that occupation
      • not yet turned 50 years of age
      • achieved the score specified in your letter of invitation based on the factors in the points test
      • at least competent English
      • meet health and character requirements
  • Skilled Nominated

    The subclass 190 visa is a permanent residence visa for points-test skilled workers who want​​​​ to work and live in Australia after being nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency.

    To be able to apply for this visa you need to submit an expression of interest and then be invited through SkillSelect to apply.

    You can be in or outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted.

    • What You Can Do

      This is a permanent residence visa. It lets you and any family members who have also been granted this visa:

      • stay in Australia indefinitely
      • work and study in Australia
      • enrol in Medicare, Australia's scheme for health-related care and expenses
      • apply for Australian citizenship (if you are eligible)
      • sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
      • travel to and from Australia for five years from the date the visa is granted (after that time, you will need a resident return visa or another visa to return to Australia)
    • Applicant Requirements

      You are eligible to apply for this visa if you have been invited. At the time we invite you to apply for this visa, you must have:

      • nominated an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list
      • obtained a suitable skills assessment for that occupation
      • not yet turned 50 years of age
      • achieved the score specified in your letter of invitation based on the factors in the points test
      • at least competent English
      • meet health and character requirements
      • been nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency
  • Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)

    The subclass 494 visa is valid for 5 years and is available to skilled workers and their families to live and work in specified regional areas in Australia. You can apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time your visa is granted.

    • What You Can Do

      With this visa, you can live, work and study only in designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years, travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid and if eligible, apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time your visa is granted.

      This visa provides pathways to permanent residence. If eligible, you can apply for permanent residence subclass 191 visa after you have held your 494 visa for 3 years.

      You can include members of the family unit in your application.

    • Applicant Requirements

      You might be eligible to apply for this visa if invited, you must also:

      • be nominated to work in an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
      • have at least 3 years relevant work experience in your nominated occupation
      • have a relevant skills assessment, unless an exemption applies
      • work only for your sponsor or associated entity, unless an exemption applies
      • be under 45 years of age, unless an exemption applies
      • at least competent English
      • meet minimum standards of English language proficiency

      You can be in or outside Australia when you apply for the visa and when we make a decision on your application, but not in immigration clearance.

      If you are applying in Australia, you must hold either of the following visa otherwise your application will not be valid:

      • a substantive visa, or
      • a Bridging visa A, Bridging visa B or Bridging visa C
    • Sponsor Requirements

      As the visa name suggests you must be sponsored by an Australian employer which is located in regional Australia. The business can sponsor and nominate a skilled worker to work in a designated regional area in a skilled occupation listed on the relevant skilled occupation list.

      In order to do so the business must be an approved standard business sponsor. The sponsorship must be approved for your nomination to be approved.

      Once the business is approved as a business sponsor it must nominate a skilled worker that it wishes to employ. Once the nomination is submitted the employee may submit their visa application.

      A standard business sponsor can apply to become an accredited sponsor.

      The Department of Home Affairs prioritise Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) nominations and visa applications, where the nominator is an accredited sponsor.

      Please contact us for more eligibility requirements. We can also provide details regarding fees, charges and sponsorship obligations.

  • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)

    The subclass 491 visa is valid for 5 years and is available to skilled workers and their families to live and work in specified regional areas in Australia. You can apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time your visa is granted.

    You must be skilled and nominated by a state or territory government.

    • What You Can Do

      With this visa you can stay in Australia for 5 years from the date the visa is granted. It allows you to live, work and study in a designated region of Australia. You may travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid.

      You may apply for permanent residence, if eligible, through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) – which starts on 16 November 2022. You can’t apply for other permanent visas until you have held your subclass 491 visa for 3 years.

      You can include members of the family unit in your application.

    • Applicant Requirements

      You might be eligible to apply for this visa if invited, you must also:

      • be nominated to apply by a state or territory government agency, or an eligible relative must sponsor you
      • have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list
      • have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
      • be invited to apply
      • satisfy the points test

      You can be in or outside Australia when you apply for the visa and when we make a decision on your application, but not in immigration clearance.

      If you are applying in Australia, you must hold a substantive visa, or a Bridging visa A, Bridging visa B or Bridging visa C.

    • Nomination

      State / Territory Government Nomination

      As the visa name suggests you must be nominated by an Australian State or Territory or an eligible relative living in regional Australia. This requires submitting an expression of interest (EOI) for the visa to get an estimate of your points score. If you score enough points, state and territory government agencies can see your EOI and might nominate you for the visa.

      If you are nominated for the visa by an Australian State or Territory we will invite you to apply for the visa. All state and territory government agencies have their own criteria for deciding who they will nominate. We can assist you to locate a suitable state or territory and decipher the different criteria from state to state and territory to territory.

      Sponsorship by an Eligible Relative

      Your sponsor must be 18 years old or older, usually resident in a designated area of Australia, be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen and be your eligible relative or your partner’s eligible relative if your partner is also applying for this visa.

      An eligible relative can be a parent, a child or step-child, a brother, sister, adoptive brother, adoptive sister, step-brother or step-sister, an aunt, uncle, adoptive aunt, adoptive uncle, step-aunt or step-uncle, a nephew, niece, adoptive nephew, adoptive niece, step-nephew or step-niece, a grandparent, or a first cousin.

      The Department of Home Affairs must approve the sponsorship before you can be granted a visa.

      Please contact us for more eligibility requirements. We can also provide details regarding fees, charges and sponsorship obligations.

Visacorp Advantage

Our clients receive the highest possible rate of success from our years of experience and in-depth knowledge of Australia’s Skilled Migration program.

We will work with you from the very beginning to assess your eligibility and guide you through the entire process of having your skills assessed, submitting your EOI (Expression of Interest) and State / Territory sponsorship (if necessary).

As your Registered Migration Agent we provide:

  • A fair and honest eligibility assessment
  • Advice for your individual circumstances
  • Strategic immigration planning
  • Latest policy and legislative advice
  • Detailed costs and expenses
  • Advice on required documents
  • Forms and paperwork assistance
  • Prepare and lodge your application
  • Critical date and deadline monitoring
  • Liaise with the Department of Immigration
  • Keep you up to date with your application
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