Skilled Migration Visas
The Australian economy is strong and Australia is actively encouraging skilled workers to emigrate to Australia. The shortage of skilled labour means wages are high and that, coupled with the lower cost of living, means you could be living your dream sooner than you think.
Skilled workers emigrating to Australia are assessed on a points-based system with points awarded for qualifications, work experience, english fluency, and age. Pass marks exist for each category and before you apply, you must ensure that your points total meets the target for your desired visa.
Australia has also introduced a Skilled Independent Regional (Provisional) or SIR Visa, with alower point requirement than other types, which is designed to attract skilled migrants to regional areas of Australia rather than the main cities Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. South Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania each offer SIR visas for the whole of that state, including cities such as Adelaide, Darwin and Hobart. The other states each have different programs to encourage skilled migrants to particular regions.
Take our Australian Immigration Skilled Migration Points Test to see if you qualify.
Employer Sponsored Migration
Employer sponsored migration offers visas for people with recognised qualifications and skills/or experience to be employed in Australia on a temporary or permanent basis. Applicants must be sponsored by their employer.
Read more: Employer Sponsored Migration
Independant Skilled Migration
Also known as the General Skilled Migration programme, these visas are for people who are not sponsored by an employer and who have skills and experience in occupations required in Australia. To apply under the General Skills Migration programme you must have skills and qualifications in an occupation listed on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List (SOL)
You must also be between 18 and 45 years of age, and have a good grasp of the English language.
Australia Skilled Migration Points Test
Australia visa applications for Skilled Employee Sponsored visas and Skilled Independent visas are assessed against the Australian visa requirements points test.
Points are awarded for skill, age, english language ability, specific work experience, occupation in demand (and job offer), Australian qualifications, regional Australia, spouse skills and relationship (Employee sponsored only).
Use our Australia skilled visa points calculator to determine your points score.
Read more: Australia Skilled Migration Points Test
Australian Skilled Occupation List
When applying under Australia's skilled migration program, the occupation you nominate must be present on the Australian Skilled Occupations List (SOL). This list outlines all the occupations that are needed in Australia.
It should not be confused with the Migration Occupations in Demand (MODL) list, which is a shorter list of occupations that currently in high demand. If your occupation also appears on MODL you can claim extra points and your visa application may be fasttracked.
Read more: Australian Skilled Occupation List
Australian Skilled Visas
Australia's Skilled Migration visas actively encourage workers from a wide variety of skill groups to emigrate to Australia. The shortage of skilled labour in Australia means wages are high and that, coupled with the lower cost of living, means you could be living your dream sooner than you think.
Australia visa requirements for Skilled workers emigrating to Australia are assessed on a points-based system with points awarded for qualifications, experience, english fluency, and age. Pass marks are set and need to be reached before you can apply.
To find out if you are eligible under the Australian Skilled Migration Program fill out our Australia Skilled Migration free assessment and one of our Australian Registered Migration Agents will review your details and advise you whether your skills are in demand for emigrating to Australia.
Skilled Independent Regional (Provisional) Visa
This visa allows skilled workers who are unable to meet the Australia immigration points criteria for a permanent visa the chance apply for a temporary (3 year) visa and to eventually apply for residence in Australia provided they are prepared to live for two years, and work at least 12 months, in a regional or low population growth metropolitan area in Australia.
This visa requires sponsorship by a participating State or Territory government or delegated Regional Certifying Body (NSW only). All states and territories, with the exception of the ACT, are participating.
With more then 15 years experience in the migration business, VisaWorks focuses on the "now" in immigration. VisaWorks are the choice for professional, affordable job search and visa services in Australia and New Zealand.