Skilled Visas
General skilled migration is applicable to applicants whose occupations are listed in skilled occupation list published by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection – DIBP (such as accounting, engineering, IT, education, nursing, social work, etc). Eligible applicants can first submit Express of Interests (EOI), and DIBP will send invitations to applicants getting at least 65 points in the points test. Invited applicants can then submit the application for Skilled visas (subclass 189, 190).
General skilled migration is the most common migration pathway, accounting for 67.65% of total annual applications for migration. Every year, S&W Consulting Group successfully assists hundreds of students apply for skilled independent visa.
Requirements
- Have a relevant occupation
- Have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
- Meet the points test-passing 65 points if you apply for Permanent Residence – Check your points with our Point Calculator
- have Competent English
- Be invited by DIBP to apply
Visa Description
This is a temporary visa that allows international students to live, study and work after you have finished your studies.
Basic Eligibility
You must:
- be under 50 years of age
- hold an eligible visa
- have a recent qualification in a CRICOS-registered course
Streams
1.Graduate Work Stream
This visa is for international students who have recently graduated with skills and qualifications that are relevant to specific occupations in Australia needs. It lets you live, study and work in Australia temporarily.
With this visa you can
- live, study and work in Australia temporarily
- bring your family members
Eligibility
- be under 50 years of age
- have a qualification relevant to an occupation on the skilled occupation list
- be assessed as having skills suitable for an occupation on the skilled occupation list
Length of Stay
Usually up to 18 months
Processing Time
- 75% of applications: 4 months
- 90% of applications: 5 month.
2. Post-study Work Stream
This visa is for international students who have recently graduated with a degree from an Australian institution. It lets you live, work and study in Australia, temporarily.
With This Visa You Can
- live, study and work in Australia temporarily after you have finished your studies
- bring your immediate family members stay with you
Eligibility
- be under 50 years of age
- hold an eligible visa and meet the English proficiency requirement
- have a recent degree in a CRICOS-registered course
Length of Stay
Usually between 2 and 4 years, depending on your qualification.
Processing Time
- 75% of applications: 83 days
- 90% of applications: 5 months
Note that this stream is only available if you applied for, and were granted, your first student visa to Australia on or after 5 November 2011.
Source: DIBP Website
Visa Description
This visa lets invited workers with skills we need live and work permanently anywhere in Australia.
With This Visa You Can:
- work and study anywhere in Australia
- sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
- if eligible, become an Australian citizen
Requirements
- have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
- have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
- be invited to apply for this visa
- satisfy the points test
Length of stay
Permanently
Global processing times
75% of applications: 8 months
90% of applications: 9 months
Source: DIBP Website
Visa Description
This visa lets nominated skilled workers live and work in Australia as permanent residents. Applying for the state sponsored visa can provide the applicant with extra 5 points, so applicants only need to reach 60 points to satisfy the minimum immigration requirement.
With This Visa You Can:
- work and study anywhere in Australia
- sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
- if eligible, become an Australian citizen
Requirements
- have an occupation on the relevant skilled list
- have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
- be invited to apply for this visa
- satisfy the points test
Length of stay
Permanently
Global processing times
- 75% of applications: 9 months
- 90% of applications: 13 months
Source: DIBP Website
Visa Description
Note that: From 15 November 2019 the invited pathway visa will be closed to new applications
- For skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia
- You can bring your family
- If you are granted this visa, you might be able to apply for the Skilled Regional (Permanent) visa (subclass 887)
Pathways
1. Invited Pathway
This is a temporary visa. It is for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia.
With this Visa You Can
- stay in Australia for 4 years
- live, work and study in a specified region of Australia
- travel to and from Australia as many times as you want, while the visa is valid
Eligibility
- 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
2. Extended Stay Pathway
This is a temporary visa. It is for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia.
With This Visa You Can
- stay in Australia for 4 years from the date we granted your subclass 475, 487, 495 or 496 visa
- live, work and study in specified regional areas of Australia
- travel to and from Australia as many times as you want, while the visa is valid
Eligibility
hold a subclass 475, 487, 495 or 496 visa (Extended Stay pathway)
Length of Stay
4 years from the date your current skilled visa was granted
Processing Time
There are no standard processing times available for this pathway.
3. Subsequent Entry Pathway
This visa is for a member of the family unit of someone who holds a Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) or a subclass 475, 487, 495 or 496 visa.
With This Visa You Can
- stay in Australia while the visa is valid
- live, work and study in a specified regional area of Australia
- travel to and from Australia as many times as you want, while the visa is valid
Eligibility
be one of the members of the family unit, of a subclass 475, 487, 489, 495 or 496 visa holder.
Length of Stay
Until the visa that your family member holds ends.
Processing Time
There are no standard processing times available for this pathway.
Source: DIBP Website
Visa Description
visa is for people who have lived and worked in specified areas of regional Australia on a previous, eligible visa.
With This Visa You Can
- work and study anywhere in Australia
- sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
- apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible
Requirements
You must:
- hold an eligible visa
- have lived for at least 2 years and worked full time for at least 1 year in a specified regional area
- have complied with the conditions of the eligible visa you hold or have held
Length of stay
Permanently
Global processing times
- 75% of applications: 18 months
- 90% of applications: 21 months
Source: DIBP Website
