Like many western nations, Australia has skilled shortages within many sectors, enabling migrants to potentially fill these positions either independently, or through being sponsored by a recognized employer (See Employer Sponsored Section)

Major employment sectors experiencing skilled shortages include, but are not limited to, Health/Medical, Trades, Accounting, Child Care, and IT.

With economic growth beginning to surge, unemployment levels are at their lowest in over ten years, rendering the job market very receptive for migrants seeking work in Australia.

Overview / Requirements:  

The Skilled Visa Program, otherwise known as the General Skilled Migration Program (GSM), enables applicants aged between 18-45 years, with sound English and relevant qualifications and/or skilled work experience to apply for a visa to Australia. 

Applicants must also have skills and qualifications for an occupation listed on Australia's Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and have those skills and qualifications assessed by an authorised skills assessing authority.  Please view the form on the Australian Government Visa and Immigration website.

See: Form 1121i Skilled Occupation List (SOL), Sydney and Selected Areas Skills Shortage List (SSASSL) and Employer Nominated Skilled Occupation List (ENSOL)(Government Site)

In addition to the above basic requirements, the Government has adopted a “Points Test” which sets a selection criteria encompassing a number of standard and additional factors (including bonus) which contribute to a final score. Applicants must meet or exceed the minimum points requirement to be eligible for the visa.

The Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL)
The Government has also created ‘The Migration Occupations in Demand List’ which is a sub-list of the Skilled Occupations List.  It is an attempt by the Australian Government to identify occupations where there are current critical shortages. If your occupation is on this list, you score additional points.

Visa Options:

The General Skilled Migration Program has two distinct visa options (excluding visa types outlined as their own sections).

1) Independent Visas :  Applicants who do not have a family sponsor, or choose not to exercise this option, may apply for an independent visa. Visas in this category include:

A) Skilled Independent Migrant Visa (subclass 176):
This visa is for skilled applicants who are overseas, whose skills are in demand in Australia and can pass the points test with 120 points. Applicants will be granted Australian Permanent Residency if their application is successful.

B) Skilled Independent Residence Visa (subclass 885):
This visa is for eligible overseas students who have studied for at least 2 years in Australia and have obtained an Australian qualification and for holders of certain temporary visas with skills in demand in Australia. Applicants must pass a points test with 120 points. Applicants will be granted Australian Permanent Residency if their application is successful.

C) Skilled Regional Residence Visa (subclass 887):
This visa is for applicants who have held a temporary visa holders and have lived for at least 2 years and worked for at least 1 year in a Specified Regional Area in Australia. This visa does not have a points test and applicants will be granted Australian Permanent Residency if their application is successful.

D) Skilled Graduate Temporary Visa (subclass 485):
This visa is for eligible overseas students who have studied for at least 2 years in Australia and have obtained an Australian qualification and who are unable to pass the points test. Applicants will be granted an 18 month temporary visa in order to gain the skills and experience needed to apply for Australian Permanent Residency.

E) Skilled Recognised Graduate Visa (subclass 476):
This is an 18 month temporary visa for applicants who are graduates of recognised overseas educational institutions who have skills in demand in Australia. This visa does not have a points test.

2) Sponsored Visas:  Skilled migrants who have a family member or who meet the requirements for State or Territory Government sponsorship may apply for this type of visa. Visas in this category include:

A) Skilled Sponsored (Migrant ) Visa (subclass 176):
This visa is for skilled migrants who are overseas, who skills are in demand in Australia, who are unable to score 120 points on the points test for the Skilled – Independent visa. Applicants must be either sponsored by an eligible relative who is an Australian Permanent Resident or Citizen or nominated by a participating State or Territory government. The points pass mark for this visa is 100 points.

B) Skilled Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (subclass 475):
This visa is for skilled migrants sponsored either by an eligible relative who is an Australian Permanent Resident or Citizen or nominated by a participating state or territory government. The points pass mark for this visa is 100 points. The visa is granted for 3 years and after living for 2 years and working for at least 1 year in a Specified Regional Area, applicants can apply for Australian Permanent Residency.

C) Skilled Sponsored (Residence) Visa (subclass 886):
This visa is for eligible overseas students who have studied for at least 2 years in Australia and have obtained an Australian qualification and for holders of certain temporary visas with skills in demand in Australia. Applicants must be sponsored either by an eligible relative who is an Australian Permanent Resident or Citizen or nominated by a participating state or territory government.

D) Skilled Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (subclass 487)
This visa is for skilled migrants sponsored either by an eligible relative who is an Australian Permanent Resident or Citizen living in a designated area or nominated by a participating state or territory government. The points pass mark for this visa is 100 points. The visa is granted for 3 years and after living for 2 years and working for at least 1 year in a Specified Regional Area, applicants can apply for Australian Permanent Residency.

Visa Entitlements:

The General Skilled Migration Program is one of the main ways for qualified and skilled migrants to obtain Australian Permanent Residency entitling the individual to live and work in Australia indefinitely.

Successful applicants will be further granted immediate access to public health entitlements (social security benefits have a two year waiting period), and dependant children aged between 6-18 are entitled to attend public schools within Australia.

Individuals who have resided in Australia for over 4 years with at least one of those years as an Australian Permanent Residence are entitled to apply for Australian citizenship.