Professionals
and Skilled Migrants
For Australia Skilled immigration you need a skill as defined as a skilled
occupation as included in the skilled
occupation list which is used to define who can apply without a
sponsoring employer by the department Australia Immigration.
Migration
to Australia under the Skilled Migration class, also known as General
Skilled Migration or Skilled Independent Migration, is operated on a
points based system (PBS).
The
applicant must first meet the basic criteria and then meet the points
test minimum pass mark to qualify for skilled permanent residence.
General
Skilled Migration to Australia offers applicants the opportunity to
migrate to Australia on the basis of their skills and/or educational
background.
It
targets people who are highly skilled and who will quickly make a contribution
to the economy. The majority of points are awarded on criteria including
age, occupation, experience and English language ability.
The
current pass mark for a General Skilled Migration visa is 120 points,
however a Global Visas consultant will advise you of any changes to
this during an initial consultation.
Duration
Permanent
residency entitles people to remain in Australia indefinitely. Initially
you will receive a 5 year permanent residence travel visa. After a 4
year period, providing relevant criteria have been met, Australian citizenship
may be applied for.
Eligibility Criteria
Age
The
applicants must be under 45 years old.
English Language
The
applicants must have sufficient English language ability.
Skills & Qualifications
The
main applicant:
-
Must meet the qualifications and/or work experience requirements of
the appropriate skills assessing body for their profession and must
have been assessed as suitable by the relevant body for the nominated
occupation.
-
Must nominate a skilled occupation that appears on the current version
of the Skilled Occupations List.
Recent
Work Experience
-
Applicants must have been in recent paid employment in any occupation
on the Skilled Occupation List. Employment is considered to be at
least 20 hours per week. You must have been employed for a total of
12 months out of the previous 24 months prior to submitting your application.
Additional
Information
The
following factors may help to provide additional support to a marginal
Australian Skilled Independent Visa application.
Family
Applicants
who have family connections within Australia may be able to use this
to strengthen their application.
High Demand Occupation/Job Offer
An
Australia Skilled Migration Visa applicant will receive additional points
if their skills are listed as in demand. Additional points are also
awarded if you have a job offer from a qualifying Australian employer.
Australian Study
Applicants
who have undertaken successful study within Australia may be able to
use these qualifications to support their application and obtain additional
points.
Spouse
You
may claim additional points if your spouse also meets the basic requirements,
which include - being less than 45 years of age, having English language
ability, having a skilled occupation and also having 12 out of 24 months
recent work experience.
Health & Character
Australia
has strict health and character requirements that must be met before
any permanent visa of more than 12 months will be granted. People attempting
skilled migration to Australia on a Skilled Independent Visa will be
required to:
-
Undergo a medical examination and chest x-ray undertaken by one of
a panel of doctors selected by the Australian authorities, and;
-
Obtain police certificates for all countries in which you have lived
for more than 12 months in the 10 years leading up to the application.
Processing
Times
The
current processing time for General Skilled Independent Migration to
Australia is approximately 12 months from the date your application
is lodged.
An
applicant who has nominated an occupation in demand will receive priority
processing and the approximate time is 6 months. A Global Visas consultant
will be able to advise you on the latest processing times.