Skilled Migration

About Skilled Visas

Highly skilled workers (qualified professionals or trades persons), who are under 45 years of age, can live and work in Australia permanently.  Under the Australian General Skilled Migration Program, applicants use their qualifications, work experience, and language ability to satisfy basic Australian immigration requirements to ultimately obtain a permanent residency visa, which is the visa pathway to Australian citizenship.

Applicants are not required to be sponsored by an employer; however, applicants must meet the basic requirements and pass a points test. You must meet the basic requirements of health, character, age, English ability, and have the skills and qualifications that meet the Australian standard for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). The SOL is a list of skilled occupations that are in need in Australia. Each occupation listed on the SOL is allocated a points value for use in the visa assessment process.

The complete range of General Skilled Migration options are listed below and note that you may be eligible for a number of different visa categories and each one has different requirements and obligations. Please click on the links below for further information about each visa category.

  • Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (subclass 176)
    A permanent visa for people unable to meet the Skilled – Independent pass mark. Applicants must be either sponsored by an eligible relative living in Australia or nominated by a participating State or Territory government. Applicants must pass a points test lower than that for the Skilled – Independent visa.
  • Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (subclass 475)
    A three (3) year provisional visa for people who can meet the lower pass mark for this 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 (2) years and working for at least one (1) year in a Specified Regional Area, applicants can apply for a permanent visa.
  • Skilled Independent (Residence) Visa (subclass 885)
    A permanent visa for eligible overseas students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia as a result of at least two (2) years study and for holders of certain temporary visas with skills in demand in Australia. For applicants not able to meet the Skilled – Independent pass mark, who have either a relative in Australia to sponsor them or a nomination from a State or Territory government. Applicants must pass a points test lower than that for the Skilled – Independent visa
  • 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 (2) years study and for holders of certain temporary visas with skills in demand in Australia. For applicants not able to meet the Skilled – Independent pass mark, who have either a relative in Australia to sponsor them or a nomination from a State or Territory government. Applicants must pass a points test lower than that for the Skilled – Independent visa.
  • Skilled Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (subclass 487)
    A three (3) year provisional visa for eligible overseas students and holders of certain temporary visas who can meet the lower pass mark for this 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 (2) years and working for at least one (1) 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 (2) 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. No points test applies for this temporary visa.

Skilled – Independent (Migrant) Visa (subclass 175)
The Skilled Independent Visa is a permanent visa for skilled people wishing to live and work in Australia. The visa grants work and settlement rights for anywhere in Australia, but carries the highest points pass mark of any Australian visa. Independent migrants have the least number of restrictions placed on them and this is the preferred option for eligible applicants who do not have an employer to sponsor them.

  • Migrate to Australia if you have good English language skills
  • Have skills and qualifications in an occupation in need in Australia
  • This visa uses a points test to select visa applicants with characteristics needed in the Australian labor market
  • You do not require sponsorship to apply for this visa

Who is this visa for?
This visa is for you if you:

  • are under 45 years of age
  • have the skills and qualifications that meet the Australian standard for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)

The SOL is a list of skilled occupations that are in need in Australia. Each occupation listed on the SOL is allocated a points value for use in the visa assessment process.

What does this visa let me do?

This visa allows you and any secondary applicants included in your visa application to live as permanent residents in Australia.
Australian permanent residents can:

  • live and work in Australia on a permanent basis
  • study in Australia at school or university
  • receive subsidized healthcare through Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
  • access certain social security payments (subject to waiting periods)
  • be eligible for Australian citizenship (subject to the residency eligibility criteria)
  • sponsor people for permanent residence.

Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (subclass 176)
A permanent visa for people unable to meet the Skilled – Independent pass mark. Applicants must be either sponsored by an eligible relative living in Australia or nominated by a participating State or Territory government. Applicants must pass a points test lower than that for the Skilled – Independent visa.
This visa allows you to migrate to Australia if you have good English language skills and have skills and qualifications in an occupation in need in Australia.
This visa uses a points test to select visa applicants with characteristics needed in the Australian labor market.
You must be sponsored by an eligible relative living in Australia or obtain nomination from a participating State or Territory government agency.

Who is this visa for?

This visa is for you if you:

  • are under 45 years of age
  • have the skills and qualifications that meet the Australian standard for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)

The SOL is a list of skilled occupations that are in need in Australia. Each occupation listed on the SOL is allocated a points value for use in the visa assessment process.
This visa also requires that either:

  • you or your partner have an eligible relative living in Australia who is willing and able to sponsor you
    or
  • you have a nomination from a participating State or Territory government agency.

Note: All State and Territory governments in Australia are participating in this visa scheme.

What does this visa let me do?

This visa allows you and any secondary applicants included in your visa application to live as permanent residents in Australia.
Australian permanent residents can:

  • live and work in Australia on a permanent basis
  • study in Australia at school or university
  • receive subsidized healthcare through Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
  • access certain social security payments (subject to waiting periods)
  • be eligible for Australian citizenship (subject to the residency eligibility criteria)
  • sponsor people for permanent residence.

Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (subclass 475)
A three (3) year provisional visa for people who can meet this lower points pass mark for this 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. You will have the opportunity to apply for permanent residency after you have lived for two (2) years and worked at least 12 months in a Specified Regional Area of Australia.
This visa requires you to be either:

  • nominated by a participating State or Territory government agency
    or
  • sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia.

If you apply for a Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa, you and any secondary applicants included in your application must agree to live and work or study in a Specified Regional Area in Australia. The definition of Specified Regional Area depends on whether you are being sponsored by an eligible relative or nominated by a state or territory government.
This visa uses a points test to select visa applicants with characteristics needed in the Australian labor market.

Who is this visa for?

This visa is for you if you are:

  • outside Australia
    or
  • a New Zealand citizen who holds a Special Category visa (subclass 444)

You must:

  • be under 45 years of age
  • have good English language skills
  • have the skills and qualifications that meet the Australian standard for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)

The SOL is a list of skilled occupations that are in need in Australia. Each occupation listed on the SOL is allocated a points value for use in the visa assessment process.

What does this visa let me do?

This visa:

  • allows you to remain in Australia for up to three (3) years and requires you to live and work in a Specified Regional Area in Australia
  • allows accompanying secondary applicants to work and study, but only in a Specified Regional Area of Australia
  • provides a pathway to permanent residence.

Skilled Recognized Graduate (Temporary) Visa (subclass 476)
This visa allows recent graduates of selected overseas universities to gain up to 18 months of skilled work experience in occupations in demand in Australia.
As a holder of this visa, you may apply for permanent residence at any time if you are able to meet the pass mark on the General Skilled Migration points test.

Who is this visa for?

This visa is for you if you completed an Engineering degree at a recognized overseas institution in the last two years.  Recognized institutions in the Americas are listed below:
North America
University of Toronto (Canada)
McGill University (Canada)
University of Alberta (Canada)
Queen’s University (Canada)
University of Laval (Canada)
University of Waterloo (Canada)
Laurentian University (Canada)
University of British Columbia (Canada)
Arizona State University – Tempe (USA)
Pennsylvania State University – University Park (USA)
University of California – Berkeley (USA)
University of Nevada – Reno (USA)
Michigan Technological University (USA)
West Virginia University (USA)
Colorado School of Mines (USA)
Missouri University of Science and Technology, formally University of Missouri –Rolla (USA)
University of Idaho – Moscow (USA)
Montana College of Minerals Science & Technology (USA)
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (USA)
University of Alaska (USA)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (USA)
University of Arizona (USA)
University of Utah (USA)
Universidad Autonoma San Luis Potosi (Mexico)
South America
University of Chile (Chile)
Universidad Catolica del Norte Catholic University of Chile – Antofagasta (Chile)
University of Concepcion (Chile)
Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil)
Catholic University of Argentina (Argentina)

What does this visa let me do?

This visa allows you and any secondary applicants included in your visa application to remain in Australia for up to 18 months with no restrictions on work or study.  During this period you may choose to:

  • travel
  • work
  • undertake further professional studies
  • study to improve your English skills.

Skilled Independent (Residence) Visa (subclass 885)
A permanent visa for eligible overseas students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia as a result of at least two (2) years study and for holders of certain temporary visas with skills in demand in Australia. Applicants are not sponsored and must pass a points test.
This visa allows overseas students who have completed their course studies in the last 6 (six) months in Australia and holders of certain temporary visas to apply for permanent residency.
This visa uses a points test to select visa applicants with characteristics needed in the Australian labor market and you do not require sponsorship to apply for this visa.

Who is this visa for?

This visa is for you if you are in Australia and you are one of the following:

  • an overseas student or former overseas student
  • a holder of a Skilled – Graduate (subclass 485) visa or Skilled – Recognized Graduate (subclass 476) visa
  • a holder of a Trade Skills Training (subclass 471) visa.

You must:

  • be under 45 years of age
  • have good English language skills
  • have the skills and qualifications that meet the Australian standard for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and your nominated occupation is classified as either:
    • a 60 point occupation
      or
    • a 50 point occupation

The SOL is a list of skilled occupations that are in need in Australia. Each occupation listed on the SOL is allocated a points value for use in the visa assessment process.

What does this visa let me do?

This visa allows you and any secondary applicants included in your visa application to live as permanent residents in Australia.
Australian permanent residents can:

  • live and work in Australia on a permanent basis
  • study in Australia at school or university
  • receive subsidized healthcare through Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
  • access certain social security payments (subject to waiting periods)
  • be eligible for Australian citizenship (subject to the residency eligibility criteria)
  • sponsor people for permanent residence.

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 (2) years study and for holders of certain temporary visas with skills in demand in Australia. For applicants not able to meet the Skilled – Independent pass mark, who have either a relative in Australia to sponsor them or a nomination from a State or Territory government. Applicants must pass a points test lower than that for the Skilled – Independent visa
This visa allows overseas students who have completed their course studies in Australia and holders of certain temporary visas to apply for permanent residency.
This visa uses a points test to select visa applicants with characteristics needed in the Australian labor market.
You must be sponsored by an eligible relative living in Australia or obtain nomination from a participating State or Territory government agency.

Who is this visa for?

This visa is for you if you are in Australia and you are one of the following:

  • an overseas student or former overseas student
  • a holder of a Skilled – Graduate (Temporary) visa (subclass 485) or Skilled – Recognized Graduate (Temporary) visa (subclass 476)
  • a holder of a Trade Skills Training visa (subclass 471).

You must:

  • be under 45 years of age
  • have good English language skills
  • have the skills and qualifications that meet the Australian standard for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and your nominated occupation is classified as either:
    • a 60 point occupation
      or
    • a 50 point occupation

The SOL is a list of skilled occupations that are in need in Australia. Each occupation listed on the SOL is allocated a points value for use in the visa assessment process.
This visa also requires that either:

  • You or your partner have an eligible relative living in Australia who is willing and able to sponsor you
    or
  • You have a nomination from a participating State or Territory government agency.
    Note: All State and Territory governments in Australia are participating in this visa scheme.

What does this visa let me do?

This visa allows you and any secondary applicants included in your visa application to live as permanent residents in Australia.
Australian permanent residents can:

  • live and work in Australia on a permanent basis
  • study in Australia at school or university
  • receive subsidized healthcare through Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
  • access certain social security payments (subject to waiting periods)
  • be eligible for Australian citizenship (subject to the residency eligibility criteria)
  • sponsor people for permanent residence.

Skilled Regional (Residence) Visa (subclass 887)
A permanent visa for eligible provisional visa holders who have lived for at least two (2) years and worked for at least one (1) year in a Specified Regional Area in Australia.
The purpose of this visa is to allow holders of certain provisional visas to apply for permanent residency.
To be granted this visa, you must have lived for at least two (2) years and worked full time for a total period of 12 months in a Specified Regional Area of Australia before lodging your visa application.

Who is this visa for?

This visa is for you if you hold one of these visas:

  • Skilled – Independent Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 495)
  • Skilled – Designated Area – Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 496)
  • Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 475)
  • Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 487)

and you:

  • have lived in a Specified Regional Area for at least two (2) years
  • have worked full time in a Specified Regional Area for at least one (1) year
  • have complied with the conditions on your visa.

What does this visa let me do?

This visa allows you and any secondary applicants included in your visa application to live as permanent residents in Australia.
Australian permanent residents can:

  • live and work in Australia on a permanent basis
  • study in Australia at school or university
  • receive subsidized healthcare through Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
  • access certain social security payments (subject to waiting periods)
  • be eligible for Australian citizenship (subject to the residency eligibility criteria)
  • sponsor people for permanent residence.

Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 487)
A three (3) year provisional visa for eligible overseas students and holders of certain temporary visas who can meet the lower pass mark for this 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 (2) years and working for at least one (1) year in a Specified Regional Area, applicants can apply for a permanent visa.
This visa is a three (3) year provisional visa for overseas students and certain visa holders who are unable to meet the criteria for a permanent skilled visa. You will have the opportunity to apply for permanent residency after you have lived for two (2) years, and worked at least 12 months, in a Specified Regional Area of Australia.

This visa requires you to be either:

  • nominated by a participating State or Territory government agency
    or
  • sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia.

This visa uses a points test to select visa applicants with characteristics needed in the Australian labor market.

Who is this visa for?

This visa is for you if you are in Australia and you are one of the following:

  • an overseas student or former overseas student
  • a holder of a Skilled – Graduate visa (subclass 485) or a Skilled – Recognized Graduate visa (subclass 476)
  • a holder of a Trade Skills Training visa (subclass 471)
  • a holder of a Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)
  • a holder of an Occupational Trainee visa (subclass 442)

This visa is also for existing holders of a provisional skilled visa who have abided by the conditions on their visa and who need further time to meet the residence and/or employment criteria to apply for a permanent visa.
You must:

  • be under 45 years of age
  • have good English language skills
  • have the skills and qualifications that meet the Australian standard for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and your nominated occupation is classified as either:
    • a 60 point occupation
      or
    • a 50 point occupation

The SOL is a list of skilled occupations that are in need in Australia. Each occupation listed on the SOL is allocated a points value for use in the visa assessment process.

What does this visa let me do?

This visa:

  • allows you to remain in Australia for up to three (3) years and requires you to live and work in a Specified Regional Area in Australia
  • allows accompanying secondary applicants to work and study, but only in a Specified Regional Area of Australia
  • provides a pathway to permanent residence.

Skilled Graduate (Temporary) Visa (subclass 485)
This visa allows overseas students who do not meet the criteria for a permanent General Skilled Migration visa to remain in Australia for 18 months to gain skilled work experience or improve their English language skills.
As a holder of this visa, you may apply for permanent residence at any time if you are able to meet the pass mark on the General Skilled Migration points test.

Who is this visa for?

This visa is for you if you are an overseas student who:

  • is under 45 years of age
  • in the last six (6) months has completed an eligible qualification(s) as a result of at least two (2) years study in Australia
  • is unable to meet the pass mark on the points test for the Skilled – Independent (Residence) visa
  • have the skills and qualifications that meet the Australian standard for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and your nominated occupation is classified as either a 60 point occupation or a 50 point occupation.

The SOL is a list of skilled occupations that are in need in Australia. Each occupation listed on the SOL is allocated a points value for use in the visa assessment process.

What does this visa let me do?

This visa allows you and any secondary applicants included in your visa application to remain in Australia for up to 18 months with no restrictions on work or study.  During this period you may choose to: