Immigration to Australia

Immigration to Australia

Persons wanting to migrate to Australia fall into two broad categories.

Skilled Workers

There are many different ways that a worker can gain a visa to live in Australia. These include:

Entering as a skilled worker with sponsorship from an Australian employer.
Entering as a worker with skills that are of high demand in Australia but without sponsorship from an Australian employer.
Entry as a business person wanting to establish, manage or invest in an Australian business.
Involvement in a special cultural activity.

Presently, General Skilled Migration Visas are granted to applicants who can accrue a certain number of points. Points are awarded for age, levels of skills, qualifications and experience, and English language competency.

Family Members

A person existing in any of the following relationships with an Australian citizen or permanent resident can gain entry into Australia:

Partner: applies to couples intending to get married, those in a de facto relationship, and those in an interdependent (includes same-sex) relationship.
Parent.
Child.
Aged dependent relative or carer.

Introduction of the Significant Investor Visas (Subclass 188 to Subclass 888) for Australia.

Australia has introduced its new Subclass 188 Visa (Significant Investor stream), allowing applicants to be granted permanent residency through the investment of at least AUD$5mil in a "complying investment".

Immigration Points and criteria

The Points Test Pass Mark under the SkillSelect Syatem is 60 points. If you score less than 60 Points, you will not issued with an Invitation to Lodge a Visa Application.

Consolidations Skilled Occupations List (CSOL)

The Consolidated Skilled Occupation List (CSOL) is prepared by the Australian Government to identify specific skill shortages in Australia. You must be able to demonstrate your work experience and/or qualification matches an occupation that is on the Consolidated Skilled Occupation List (CSOL)

Recent Changes in Skilled Migration

New pathway for permanent residency in Australia: Introduction of the Significant Investor Visa for Australia. Australia has introduced its new Subclass 188 Visa (Significant Investor stream), allowing applicants to be granted permanent residency through the investment of at least AUD$5mil in a “complying investment”. The grant of permanent residency is a 2 step process whereby the applicant is required to first obtain a Subclass 188 (Provisional) Visa in the Significant Investor stream and then, once satisfying specific investment and residency requirements, apply for a Subclass 888 (Permanent) Visa in the Significant Investor stream. To be granted the Provisional (i.e. temporary) visa the applicant will need to have deposited at least AUD$5mil in a “complying investment”, with the intention of having that investment for at least 4 years. To be granted the permanent visa, the applicant must held one or more Subclass 188 (Significant Investment stream) Visa(s) for at least 4 years, held the “complying investment” for at least 4 years and have been in Australia for at least 40 days for each year they have held a Subclass 188 (Significant Investor) Visa. For more information regarding this permanent residency pathway, please contact me at [email protected] or on (+613) 9383 6876.

Independent (Migrant) Visa (189)

This visa is for skilled workers who are not seeking nomination by a State or Territory of Australia, or a relative living in a Designated Area of Australia. It is Points-Tested visa available under the SkillSelect program where potential applicants are to achieve, or exceed, the minimum Pass Mark for the visa. Points are awarded on the basis of age, English Language ability, qualifications, work experience, etc. Certain family members can be included in the application. This visa replaces the Subclass 175 and Subclass 885 Visas which ceased on 1 July, 2012.

Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa (489)

This visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by a state or territory or sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area in Australia. It is Points-Tested visa available under the SkillSelect Program where potential applicants are to achieve, or exceed, the minimum Pass Mark for the visa. Points are awarded on the basis of age, English Language ability, qualifications, work experience, etc. Certain family members can be included in the application, including members not included in previous Subclass 495, 496, 475 and 487 applications. The visa can be valid for four years, and a visa holder must live and work in a specified regional area.

Recognised Graduate Visa (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 passmark on the General Skilled Migration points test.

SkillSelect - Points Test System

The SkillSelect Program is a "Points Tested" Program, in which an applicant is required to achieve, or exceed, the minimum Pass Mark for the visa Subclass they are applying for. Points are awarded to an applicant based upon their Age, English Language ability, Qualifications, Work Experience and Nomination / Sponsorship (if applicable). Extra Points can be awarded based upon fluency in a community language, study completed in Regional Australia or successfuly completion of a Professional Year in Australia, or the spouse's age, qualifications and experience.

Overview of SkillSelect GSM Visa Process

On 1st July, 2012, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) introduced their SkillSelect Program, which affects how a person applies under the GSM Program. Rather than directly applying for a visa, a person now first submits an Expression of Interest (EoI) and, only after invited by DIAC, can they lodge an application for a visa. Once invited a person has 60 days to lodge their application via the SkillSelect program

For more information, please contact one of our offices

Last Updated: 14 January 2013
Editor: Nina Zarabi