Skilled Migration Program

Chanaka Senanayake • May 2010


The Skilled Migration Program is a Government initiative to identify potential skilled migrants who can make a valuable contribution to the Australian economy and to overcome skilled shortages in the work force. Each year the Australian government issue around one hundred thousand (100,000) visas under this category.

Basic Requirements;
  1. Age – Applicants must be under 45 years of age when they apply.

  2.  English language – Applicants are required to have "competent" English language ability. Some exceptions apply to applicants for provisional visas. Applicants must submit evidence of their English language ability when the application is lodged.

  3. Qualifications - Applicants must have been awarded a post secondary qualification equivalent to an Australian Bachelors degree, diploma or trade qualification [Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) certificate 111 or 1V ]. Applicants' skills need to be assessed by the relevant assessing authority as suitable for working in their nominated occupation.  

    In exceptional cases, applicants without a post secondary qualification may be successful, if the assessing authority has issued a positive skills assessment based on the Applicant's work experience in that occupation.

  4. Nominated occupation – Applicants must nominate a skilled occupation, which must be on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). If the nominated occupation not on the SOL, the applicant cannot apply.

  5. Recent Work Experience -   The applicant must have been in paid employment in a skilled occupation on the SOL for at least 12 months in the 24 months preceding their application. There is an exemption to this work experience requirement for those applicants who have completed an eligible study program in Australia less than 6 months before lodging their visa application.

  6. Skills Assessment – Applicants must have had their skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority before applying.
GSM Visa Categories

Offshore:-
  1. Skilled –Independent (subclass 175).

    To be eligible for this visa, the applicant must satisfy the basic requirements mentioned above. 

  2. Skilled- Sponsored (subclass 176).

    Applicants for this visa must be sponsored by an eligible relative or nominated by a State or Territory Government.

  3. Skilled-Regional Sponsored (subclass 475).

    This is a provisional visa which provides pathway to permanent residency. This visa is valid for 3 years and has a lower pass mark. Applicants may still qualify for this visa even though they don't have "Competent English"

  4. Skilled –Recognized Graduate(subclass 476)

    This visa is for students who have completed an award in a recognized overseas educational institution and who have skills in demand in Australia. This visa is valid for 18 months and students can apply for permanent GSM visa at any time.
 Onshore:-

  1. Skilled-Independent (subclass 885)

    This visa is for overseas students who have successfully completed their studies in the last 6 months, Graduate (subclass 485,476) visa holders and Trade Skills Training (subclass 471) visa holders. All applicants must satisfy the basic requirements mentioned above.

  2. Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 886).

    Applicants for this visa must be sponsored by an eligible relative or nominated by a State or Territory Government. 

  3. Skilled –Regional (subclass 887)

    This visa is for applicants who have held Skilled –Independent Regional (provisional) (subclass 495), Skilled-Designated Area-sponsored (provisional) (subclass 496) and Skilled-Regional Sponsored (provisional) (subclass 487) or (subclass 475). Applicants must have held these visas for at least 2 years.

  4. Skilled-Graduate (subclass 485)

    This visa is for overseas students who have met their Australian Study requirements in the last 6 months but were unable to reach the pass mark of permanent GSM visa. This visa is valid for 18 months and students can apply for permanent visa at any time.

  5. Skilled-Regional Sponsored (subclass 487)

    This visa is valid for 3 years and applicants must be sponsored by an eligible relative who usually resides in a designated area of Australia or nominated by a State or Territory Government agency. 

Current Pass Marks For GSM visas

•    Skilled –Independent (subclass 175) - 120
•    Skilled- Sponsored (subclass 176) - 100
•    Skilled-Regional Sponsored (subclass 475) -100
•    Skilled –Recognized Graduate(subclass 476) - not points tested
•    Skilled-Independent (subclass 885) - 120
•    Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 886) - 100
•    Skilled –Regional (subclass 887) - not points tested
•    Skilled-Graduate (subclass 485) - not points tested
•    Skilled-Regional Sponsored (subclass 487) -100

For a free assessment and further details, please contact Grech Partners Solicitors on + 61 (0) 2 98512546,

+ 61 (0) 451043288 or email your inquiry to senanayakec@grechpartners.com.au

This publication contains general information only. It is not provided as legal advice. Professional advice should be taken before any course of action is pursued, or any information herein relied upon.