General Skilled Migration Visa Categories

Introduction
Below is a summary of the General Skilled Migration Visa to give you an idea of your options. It is a guide only and we recommend you contact us for more information if you feel you qualify in any of the categories.

There are three categories of visa:

Offshore General Skilled – For Overseas applicants not currently in Australia

Onshore General Skilled – For Overseas Students currently studying in Australia

Onshore New Zealand citizen – For New Zealand citizens currently in Australia

Offshore General Skilled
To qualify in this category you must be highly skilled and have education, skills and employability, which will contribute to the Australian economy.

You must satisfy the basic requirements, pass the points test, and nominate a skilled occupation from the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).

Applicants may be in Australia at the time they lodge their application. However, they must be outside Australia at the time the visa is granted.

Onshore General Skilled
This category is for overseas students in Australia. As the applicant you must prove that you have studied in an Australian educational institution for at least two years full time. In order to study in Australia you must first apply for a student visa. After completing your chosen course (which must be appropriate to the nominated occupation) and obtaining a degree, diploma or trade qualification you can consider this option.

Onshore New Zealand citizen
You must fulfil the basic requirements and be the holder of a subclass 444 visa.

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Basic Requirements

Age: You must be under 45 when the application is lodged.

English Language: You must have sufficient ability in the English language for working in Australia. A lower level of English is accepted under some circumstances but you will need to undertake a separate language test. Fees apply for this test.

Qualifications: A post-secondary (such as university or trade) qualification is generally required and this qualification must have been assessed by the relevant Assessing Authority as suited for your nominated skill from the SOL. There is a fee for this service and charges vary between the many Assessing Authorities.

Nominated Occupation: You must be able to nominate a skilled occupation, which meets your skill, qualification and experience. If your skill is not on the SOL then you cannot apply.

Recent Work Experience: Before application, you must have your skills assessed as suitable for your nominated occupation.

If you have a 60 points nominated occupation (Form 1121i) evidence is required that you have been in paid employment in that skill for at least 12 of the 18 months preceding your application.

If you have a 40 or 50 points nominated occupation (Form 1121i) evidence is required that you have been in paid employment in that skill for at least 2 or the 3 years preceding your application.

In some instances, longer periods of specific work experience are required for certain occupations.

If you have gained an Australian qualification, that is, 2 years or more study in Australia and apply for a visa less than six months after the successful completion of your study, you are except from the work experience requirement.

Points Test:
You are awarded points for the following factors:

• Skill
• Age
• English Language ability
• Specific work experience
• Occupation in demand
• Australian qualifications
• Regional Australia settlement
• Spouse skills
• Family relationship

• Capital investment in Australia
• Australian work experience
• Fluency in one of Australia’s community languages, other than English