Skilled Migration or General Skilled Migration

The purpose of the Skilled Migration Program is to attract highly employable people for migration to Australia. It is the most common form of migration to Australia, and it is one of the core areas of Acacia's expertise.

Skilled Subclasses

There are a variety of skilled migration options:

Skilled Independent Subclass 189

Permanent visa option, the skilled independent does not require sponsorship by a relative or state/territory government

The Skilled Independent Subclass 189 visa is a permanent General Skilled Migration visa which does not require sponsorship by a State/Territory Government or relative in Australia.

SkillSelect Only Application

In order to apply for a Skilled Independent Subclass 189 visa, you must first lodge an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect and be invited by the Department of Immigration to apply.

Once you are invited to apply for a skilled visa, you must lodge your application within 60 days, otherwise the invitation lapses. Accordingly, it is very important that you have all required documentation prepared to lodge as soon as possible after receiving the invitation.

Visa Criteria

In order to qualify for a Subclass 189 visa, you would need to:

• Lodge an EOI and be invited to apply
• Meet the pass mark in the skilled migration points test- currently 65
• Be aged between 18 and 44 inclusive
• Pass Skills Assessment in an occupation on the Occupations List for Skilled Independent visas
• Have Competent Englishor higher
• Meet health and character requirements

This option does not require sponsorship by a relative or State/Territory Government.

Skilled Nominated Subclass 190

A permanent visa requiring nomination by an Australian State or Territory government

The Skilled Nominated Subclass 190 visa is a permanent General Skilled Migration visa which requires nomination by a State or Territory Government.

SkillSelect Only Application

In order to apply for a Skilled Nominated Subclass 190 visa, you must first lodge an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect and be invited by the Department of Immigration to apply.

Once you are invited to apply for a skilled visa, you must lodge your application within 60 days, otherwise the invitation lapses. Accordingly, it is very important that you have all required documentation prepared to lodge as soon as possible after receiving the invitation.

Visa Criteria

In order to qualify for a Subclass 190 visa, you would need to:

• Lodge an EOI and be invited to apply
• Be nominated by a State or Territory Government
• Meet the pass mark in the skilled migration points test- currently 65.
• Be aged between 18 and 44 inclusive
• Pass Skills Assessment in an occupation on the State/Territory Nominated Occupations List
• Have Competent English or higher
• Meet health and character requirements

Nomination by a State or Territory Government

Each State and Territory Government publishes a list of occupations in short supply in their area. There may be specific requirements in terms of work experience, English language ability or specialised skills.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Subclass 491

This is a 5-year provisional visa which requires holders to live, work, and study in regional Australia. You would need to be nominated by an Australian State or Territory government, or sponsored by an eligible Australian relative. The 491 visa replaces the 489.

The Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional visa is a provisional General Skilled Migration visa which requires holders to live, work, and study in a regional area of Australia. Once certain residence requirements have been met, holders can apply for a permanent Regional visa.

Visa Criteria

In order to qualify for a Subclass 491 visa, you would need to:

• Be aged between 18 and 44 inclusive
• Have Competent Englishor higher, and their dependent family members over 18 years of age have at least Functional English
• Obtain a positive skill assessment in an occupation on the relevant Skilled occupation list
  • For family sponsored applicants, this is the Medium-Long Term Skills Shortage List (MLTSSL)
  • For State/Territory nominated applicants, this is the MLTSSL, the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) and the Regional Occupation List (ROL) anda State/Territory Occupations List
• Meet the pass mark in the skilled migration points test- currently 65.
• Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect system, and be invited to apply
• Be nominated by a State or Territory Government, or have sponsorship from an eligible family member
• Meet health and character requirements

Once you are invited to apply for a skilled visa, you must lodge your application within 60 days, otherwise the invitation lapses. Accordingly, it is very important that you have all required documentation prepared to lodge as soon as possible after receiving the invitation.

Nomination by a State or Territory Government

Each State and Territory Government publishes a list of occupations in short supply in their area. There may be specific requirements in terms of work experience, English language ability, or specialised skills which differ to the requirements for the Department of Immigration. It is very important to check the State/Territory requirements before commencing with an application.

Sponsorship from an Eligible Family Member

Applicants through the family sponsored pathway can only nominate occupations on the MLTSSL. The sponsor must be usually resident in a designated regional area of Australia, and be:

• At least 18 years of age
• An Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen

An eligible relative; including parents, children, siblings, aunt/uncle, nephew/niece, grandparent, or first cousin