General Skilled

General Skilled Migration

To be eligible for general skilled migration :

You must be under 50 years of age
You must have at least a competent level of English language ability
You must nominate an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)
You must provide a positive skills assessment completed by the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation
Your nominated occupation must be on the Skilled Occupation List and
For most general skilled visas you must pass a points tes
The current pass-mark for the points test is 65 points.

Below is a brief overview of general skilled visas. Please note that only some of the major requirements are listed here and that requirements can change at fairly short notice.

There are 4 offshore and 5 offshore visas in this category. The onshore visas are generally only available to eligible overseas students and for holders of certain temporary visas, like working holiday visas.

Please contact us for an overview of current requirements and to check your eligibiklity for any of the general skilled visas.

General Skilled Migration (Offshore)

Skilled – Independent (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 175)

A permanent visa for people with skills in demand in the Australian labour market. 2

Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 176)

A permanent visa for people unable to meet the Skilled – Independent requirements. Applicants must be either sponsored by an eligible relative living in Australia or nominated by a participating state or territory government.

Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 475)

A three year provisional visa. Applicants must be either sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia or nominated by a participating state/territory government. After living for two years and working for at least one year in a Specified Regional Area, applicants can apply for a permanent visa.

Skilled – Recognised Graduate (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 476)

An 18 month temporary visa for graduates of recognised overseas educational institutions who have skills in demand in Australia.

General Skilled Migration (onshore)

Skilled – Independent (Residence) Visa (Subclass 885)

Skilled – Sponsored (Residence) Visa (Subclass 886)

A permanent visa for eligible overseas students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia as a result of at least two years study and for holders of certain temporary visas with skills in demand in Australia. For applicants not able to meet the Skilled – Independent requirements, who have either a relative in Australia to sponsor them or a nomination from a state or territory government.

Skilled – Regional (Residence) Visa (Subclass 887)

A permanent visa for eligible provisional visa holders who have lived for at least two years and worked for at least one year in a Specified Regional Area in Australia.

Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 487)

A three year provisional visa for eligible overseas students and holders of certain temporary visas. Applicants must be either sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia or nominated by a participating state/territory government. After living for two years and working for at least one year in a Specified Regional Area, applicants can apply for a permanent visa.

Skilled – Graduate (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 485)

An 18 month temporary visa for overseas students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia as a result of at least two years study. Allows applicants who are unable to pass the points test to remain in Australia for 18 months to gain the skills and experience needed to apply for a permanent or provisional General Skilled Migration visa.

English skills

Click here for information about English language requirements.

Health and character

There are health and character requirements for all visas.