Skilled Migration

The General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa program is for professionals who are not sponsored by an employer and have skills in particular occupations required in Australia. It is the most common form of migration to Australia. There is a range of visa options for skilled people applying as an independent migrant as well as those sponsored by a relative, or nominated by a State or Territory government.
There are a variety of skilled migration options:

Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189)

Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190)

Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 489)

Skilled Temporary Work Visa (subclass 457)

Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189)

This visa is for points-tested skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or family member or nominated by a state or territory government.
This is a permanent visa and allows visa-holders to

live and work as a permanent resident anywhere in Australia

study in Australia

enrol in Medicare, Australia’s scheme for health-related care and expenses

sponsor family members for permanent residence.

apply for Australian citizenship after 4 years

In order to apply for a Skilled Independent Visa to Australia, an applicant must satisfy the following minimum requirements:

nominated an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list

have a suitable skills assessment for that occupation

must be under 50 years of age at the time of application

achieved the score specified in your letter of invitation based on the factors in the points test

Must be able to score at least 60 on the points test.

meet the English language requirements

Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190)

This visa is for points-tested skilled workers who are nominated by a state or territory government agency.
This is a permanent visa and allows visa-holders to

live and work as a permanent resident in Australia

study in Australia

enrol in Medicare, Australia’s scheme for health-related care and expenses

sponsor family members for permanent residence.

apply for Australian citizenship after 4 years

may require you to live in the nominating state or territory for a specified minimum time

In order to apply for a Skilled Nominated Visa to Australia, an applicant must satisfy the following minimum requirements:

nominated an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list

have a suitable skills assessment for that occupation

must be under 50 years of age at the time of application

achieved the score specified in your letter of invitation based on the factors in the points test

meet the English language requirements

nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency.

Must be able to score at least 60 on the points test.

Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 489)

This visa is for points-tested skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian State or Territory government agency or sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area and allows applicant to live and work for up to four years.
In order to apply for a Skilled Regional Visa to Australia, an applicant must satisfy the following minimum requirements:

nominated by an Australian State or Territory government agency or sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area

nominated an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list

have a suitable skills assessment for that occupation

must be under 50 years of age at the time of application

achieved the score specified in your letter of invitation based on the factors in the points test

meet the English language requirements

Must be able to score at least 60 on the points test.

Skilled Temporary Work Visa (subclass 457)

This visa allows skilled workers to work in their nominated occupation for their approved sponsor for up to four years in Australia.

In order to apply for a Skilled Temporary Work Visa to Australia, an applicant must satisfy the following minimum requirements:

have been sponsored by an approved business

have the required skills to fill a position nominated by an approved business.

This visa allows you to:

live and work in Australia for up to four years

bring your family to work or study in Australia

travel in and out of Australia as often as you want.